Cobhams Asuquo is a visually impaired Nigerian songwriter, a multiple award winner and producer who has produced several hit songs for top Nigerian Musicians. He was born on the 6th of January, 1981 in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. He hails from Calabar, South South, Nigeria.
Early Life And Background
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo had his elementary school and later went to Kings College in Lagos for his secondary certificate. After his primary and secondary certificates respectively, he also went to Pacelli school for the blind. Different versions had it that cobhams is a trained Lawyer and another revealed that he was a 300 level law student drop out, but later ventured into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong aspiration. But whichever version, the truth is that this physically challenged legendary made it to fame against all odds of life.
Career
Cobhams started his musical career at a very tender age when he used to drum to entertain group of people or traditional shows for the fun of it with large crowd of children as followers. He narrated he was doing this not knowing that he was actually preparing himself for what would launch him to great star in music.
Cobhams has proved himself as an epitome of musical talent and soon began to make waves in the music industry inspite of his disability in ability. His style of music comprises of classical, jazz and traditional music such as Tchaikovsky, Dave Grusin and Haruna Isola respectively.
Over time, he went on to work closely with internationally-renowned artistes such as pop sensation Asa and R&B star Darey and others and today he has become the much talked about producer operating from his own studio, CEO and Head of productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), an entertainment company that discovers, nurtures and exposes great talents.
In 2005, Cobhams signed on to Sony ATV London as a songwriter. On July 13, 2009, after that breakthrough, WIPO had the honour and priviledge of hosting a performance by Nigerian musician, songwriter and producer Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo.
This veteran Nigerian artist has also featured on CNN’s African Voices for his immense contributions to the development of African music industry.
In 2007, Cobhams collaborated with his musical production of the debut album by the Nigerian soul sensation Aṣa. He also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the award-winning album including the hit singles, “Fire on the Mountain”, and “Jailer”. In addition to this laudable achievements, Cobhams has produced numerous award-winning songs for Nigerian recording artistes such as Banky W and Omawumi and many others.
Cobhams Asuquo did not stop there, as he has featured with great international stars to perform with bands at international music events such as The Harare International Festival of Arts, the AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert with Asa and Angelique Kidjo. Others are AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nigeria Week in Paris and the launch of MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base Africa) at Abuja, Nigeria.
Cobhams Asuquo is a versatile artiste. He has done lots of TV and film media, including film scores to be interpreted for conservatoires as well as for film and stage performances such as “A Voice for Ella” by Uche Macaulay, Isang Awah, Sunshine (Alpha Vision), “Bent Arrows” by and Communication For Change’s “Bayelsan Sillhouttes”.
In 2016, Cobhams set up a digital radio countdown show, originally known as The Top 12 Countdown with Cobhams Asuquo. The digital radio show counts down is platform designed and nurtured by Asuquo has been described as the hottest African/Nigerian songs that he believes Nigerian fans should be entertained with.
Personal Life
The music legendary, Cobhams is married to Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni on the 2nd of December, 2010 at the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the union is blessed with a son.
Cobhams Asuquo’s Awards
Cobhams has won several awards both local and international, for his creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the Nigerian music industry including:
- Producer of the Year by The Future Awards 2006 and 2009.
- Producer of the Year Hip-hop by the World Awards 2007 and 2008
- 2007 Producer of the decade by the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA)
- “Producer of the Decade” by the Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2008.
- “Creativity, Fortitude & Exemplary Leadership award in the Music Industry’ by LEAP Africa Award 2007.
- The Partnership Awards 2008 for “supporting the Worship For Change Concert”.
- One Gospel Awards 2008 for “Gospel Composer/ Writer of the Year”.
- He also won the 2014 The Headies Ordinary People Best Recording
- The Boston Globe’s top ten list of best ‘world music’ albums of 2011.
His latest single, One Hit, was released on January 6th, 2018. Here he admonished business mogul, Dangote, veteran Nigerian artistes like Olamide, comedian Ay and other celebrities.
Asked how he feels about his sight, the renowned artiste responded emotionally that he would be the happiest man on earth if only his eyes are opened to see his wife and son. “Yes, I would love to regain my sight even if it is for one day just to see my wife’s face. That is one of the things that would make her happy.”
Cobhams Asuquo Net Worth
Cobhams Asquo though has no fixed net worth, but is currently rated one of the richest and most talented Nigerian artistes with a net worth of about $1.5 million dollars.