Cobhams Asuquo

Cobhams Asuquo
Asuquo in 2024
Asuquo in 2024
Background information
Born
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo

(1981-01-06) January 6, 1981
OriginCalabar, Cross River State
GenresPop/RnB/Afrobeat
OccupationsMusic producer, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocal, piano, guitar
Years active1999–present
Websitewww.cobhamsasuquo.com

Cobhams Asuquo (Efik pronunciation: [ˈko̞bʱäms äsˈuːku:wo̞]) (born January 6, 1981) is a Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter.[1] After working as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he set up his own recording facility in 2006.[2] He is the former CEO/Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), which he co-managed with Bez Idakula and Stan Iyke.[3]

Music career

Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo started his academic training as a lawyer.[4][5] Previously signed to Sony/ATV UK publishing as a songwriter, Cobhams formed his first music production and label company Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (CAMP) in 2008.[3] In 2016 he started Vintage Gray Media Ltd. Vintage Gray Media Ltd. produced 74 episodes of "The Top 12 Countdown with Cobhams Asuquo – a music countdown show aimed at showcasing new music.[6][7]

Asuquo produced ASA’s debut album. He also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the album including the singles, "Fire on the Mountain" and "Jailer". He has worked with numerous musicians both local (Nigeria) and International. From the early 2000s he produced hits, including ‘Maintain in India,’ and ‘Catch cold’ by Maintain; ‘Ego’- Djinne; ‘In the music’, ‘If you ask me’ by Omawumi to recently released 2017 butterflies also by Omawumi. His stable of artistes includes : Asa, Banky W, Omawumi, ELDee, Sasha, Dare Art-Alade, Waje, Timi Dakolo, Djinne, Faze, Seyi Shay, Korede Bello, Tiwa Savage, Ego, Yemi Alade, Bez, Omolara, Chidinma Ekile, Shola Allyson, Lara George, Ego, Silver Saddih, Flavour, Mo'Chedda, Praiz, Simi and Rooftop MC's.[8][9]

He has arranged music, and performed 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; 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. In the TV and film media, he has composed and arranged film scores to be interpreted for conservatoires as well as for film and stage performances such as "A Voice for Ella" by Uche Macaulay, Sunshine (Alpha Vision), "Bent Arrows" by Isang Awah and Communication for Change's "Bayelsan Sillhouttes.”[10]

Asuquo performed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2014.[11] CNN Africa Voices interviewed Asuquo in December 2011.[12][13]

Asuquo, alongside African musicians such as Dbanj, Omawumi, Femi Kuti and Somi, visited the White House to raise awareness on agriculture in Nigeria, through Bono’s global humanitarian group, ‘ONE Campaign’. He was also invited to participate in the three-day US-Africa summit. Asuquo was invited by the ONE campaign to produce the anthem for the "Poverty is Sexist’ campaign titled Strong Girl.[14][15][16]

Asuquo was called again to produce a remix of "StrongGirl", this time including Bono as one of the artistes. Asuquo was also invited to be part of the UN Global Goals campaign and co-produced the song "Tell Everyone". The song featured various African artistes such as Sauti Sol (Kenya), Mafikizolo (South Africa), Yemi Alade (Nigeria) and Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania). On September 26, Asuquo performed on stage at the Global Citizens Festival New York Central Park to promote the UN Global Goals. Asuquo was a producer on the Coke Studio Africa Season 3 show, which aired across various African countries. In 2016 Asuquo produced the Rhythm Unplugged show and Hennessy Artistry. He also produced the first "One Africa" concert in Houston Texas.[17][18]

On January 1, 2015, Asuquo released his first music video for "Ordinary People".[19] He has released 5 other singles – "Do the Right Thing" featuring Bez (2015),[20] Christmas song "Star of Wonder" (2015),[21] Boosit ft. Falz (2016),[22] "The Other Room" ft. Ugovinna (2016)[23][24] and "Adore" ft. Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters (2016).[25]

Singles

His latest single is "We Plenti" featuring Simi, was released on January 6, 2019.[26][27]

Asuquo released his first single "Ordinary People" on January 1, 2014, and released the video the following January.[28] Star of Wonder released in December 2014 is his second officially released single.[29] His third single Stronger Than Before was released in 2015 and was sung by Morayo. He released his fourth single Boosit featuring Falz in April 2016.[30]

Production work

Asuquo also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the album including the singles, "Fire on the Mountain", and "Jailer".[31][32][33]

Asuquo has likewise produced songs for Nigerian recording artistes such as Banky W and Omawumi.[34][35]

He has arranged music, and performed with bands at international music events as The Harare International Festival of Arts, the AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert with Asa and Angélique Kidjo; 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) in Abuja, Nigeria.[36][37]

In the TV and film media, he has composed and arranged film scores to be interpreted for conservatoires as well as for film and stage performances such as "A Voice for Ella" by Uche Macaulay, Sunshine (Alpha Vision), "Bent Arrows" by Isang Awah and Communication For Change's "Bayelsan Sillhouttes".[38]

In 2016, Asuquo started a digital radio countdown show. The digital radio show counts down the hottest African/Nigerian songs that Asuquo thinks the Nigerian audience should be listening to. The show is called The Top 12 Countdown With Cobhams Asuquo.[39]

Personal life

Asuquo is visually impaired.[40] On December 2, 2010, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo married Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni, and they have two sons together.[41]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Abiosun, Anjolaoluwa (March 1, 2024). "Review: Cobhams Asuquo Gives Performance Of A Lifetime At The Reach Launch". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo: On a quest for value, one conquest at a time [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Oluwarufus (July 26, 2014). "Cobhams Asuquo - Artiste Bio". Gospellyricsng. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo on why access isn't accidental: 'Someone is doing the job' | Africa Renewal". africarenewal.un.org. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo: The Nigerian singer who hated his own voice". March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ Augoye, Jayne. "INTERVIEW: Why I don't do 'commercial' music — Cobhams Asuquo". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ "About Us". Vintage Gray Media. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo Profile and Discography | African Music Library". africanmusiclibrary.org. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ Arogundade, Funsho (January 25, 2017). "Cobhams Asuquo Debuts With An Album 'For You'". P.M.EXPRESS. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ Okobz, Ralph (January 6, 2021). "5 Things To Know About Cobhams Asuquo As He Turns 40". NotjustOk. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Authors, Composers, Artists: Music "Inspired by Life"". Wipo.int. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  12. ↑ Nigerian musician uses sound to see | CNN. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ A blind pioneer of sound | CNN. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  14. ↑ "About – Cobhams Asuquo". Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo - Blind but hugely talented Nigerian producer - LifeAndTimes News". January 25, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  16. ↑ Mkhwanazi, Katlego (May 19, 2015). "Poverty is sexist, sing seven African performers in protest". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  17. ↑ Balogun, Oluwatobi (December 15, 2016). "Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged 2016". Businessday NG. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ Ikeji, Linda (December 13, 2016). "Rhythm Unplugged - Dec. 23rd - Eko Hotel". Linda Ikeji's Blog. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ Sean (December 31, 2014). "Cobhams Asuquo – ORDINARY PEOPLE [Official Video] | AceWorldTEAM". aceworldteam.com. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ Radio, Praiseworld (December 12, 2014). "CHRISTMAS CAROL: Cobhams Asuquo – Star Of Wonder | @CobhamsAsuquo". Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo - 'The other room' ft Ugovinna". Pulse Nigeria. October 24, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ Ajikobi, David (October 24, 2016). "NEW MUSIC: 'The Other Room' - Cobhams Asuquo Ft Ugovinna". Channels Television. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ "AUDIO: Cobhams Asuquo – "Adore" | Feat. Lauretta Cookey & Fome Peters | @cobhamsasuquo |". Gospel Centric. December 23, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  26. ↑ NathanPerfecto (January 6, 2020). "Cobhams Asuquo ft. Simi - We Plenti (Official Video)". AfroFire. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  27. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (January 20, 2020). "Watch: Cobhams Asuquo Teams Up With Simi In "We Plenti" Music Video". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ Tayo, Ayomide O. (January 2015). "New Video: Cobhams Asuquo – Ordinary People". Pulse.ng. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  29. ↑ Tayo, Ayomide O. "New Music: Cobhams Asuquo – Star of Wonder". Pulse.ng. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  30. ↑ Solanke, Abiola (April 12, 2016). "New Music: Cobhams Asuquo – "Boosit" ft Falz". Pulse.ng. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  31. ↑ Admin, B. B. N. (January 6, 2022). "7 biggest hits from Cobhams Asuquo as he clocks 41". Blackbox Nigeria. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ Fire on the Mountain by Aṣa on Apple Music, October 1, 2007, retrieved July 28, 2026
  33. ↑ Jailer by Aṣa on Apple Music, October 1, 2007, retrieved July 28, 2026
  34. ↑ Akan, Joey (January 18, 2016). "New Music: Omawumi – "Play na play" ft Angelique Kidjo". Pulse.ng. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  35. ↑ Akan, Joey. "Omawumi: Singer records new music with Salif Keita". Pulse.ng. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  36. ↑ QEDNG (April 17, 2017). "Cobhams Asuquo unveils 'Angels All Around' live video". QED.NG. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Cobhams Asuquo". afrobios.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  38. ↑ Abumere, Princess Irede. "Cobhams Asuquo: 7 awesome songs produced by the musician". Pulse.ng. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  39. ↑ Solanke, Abiola. "Cobhams Asuquo: Producer premieres new podcast". Pulse.ng. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  40. ↑ WIPO Authors, Composers, Artists: Music "Inspired by Life": Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo. September 2009.
  41. ↑ "A Beautiful Day for A Blessed Couple: Superstar Producer Cobhams Asuquo weds his sweetheart Ojuola Olukanni". BellaNaija.com. December 3, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
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