Cobhams Asuquo (

Efik Efik may refer to: * Efik people, an ethnic group located primarily in southeastern Nigeria * Efik language, the language of the Efik people *Efik mythology, the mythological beliefs of the Efik people *Efik religion, the traditional religion of t ...

pronunciation: ) (born January 6, 1981) is a Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter. In 2005, Asuquo was signed on with

Sony , commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...

ATV London as a songwriter. After working as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he set up his own recording facility in 2006. He is the former CEO/Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), which he co-managed with Bez Idakula and Stan Iyke. He was responsible for Aşa's highly acclaimed international album ''ASA'' and has been mentioned on many artists' sleeve credits as producer and writer. He is now the Founder/CEO of Vintage Grey Media.

Music career

Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo is a Nigerian-born songwriter/music producer/singer who started his academic training as a lawyer. 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. 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. Cobhams’ international acclaim came with the music production of Nigeria's soul performer – 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 include : Asa, Banky W, Omawumi, Eldee, Sasha, Dare Art-Alade, Waje, Timi Dakolo, Djinne, Faze, Seyi Shay, Korede Bello,

Tiwa Savage Tiwa Savage (born 5 February 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist. Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup voc ...

, Ego,

Yemi Alade Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989), is a Nigerian Afropop singer, songwriter, actress and activist. She won the ''Peak Talent Show'' in 2009 after which she signed to Effyzzie Music Group, and had a hit with her single "Johnny" in 2014. Si ...

, Bez, Omolara,

Chidinma Ekile Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), known professionally as Chidinma, is a Nigerian hip-hop turned gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of ''Project Fame West Africa''. Following the release of ...

, Shola Allyson,

Lara George Lara George is a US-based Nigerian-American gospel recording artiste, songwriter and producer. Early life and education Lara George was born on 23 June 1978 into the family of Oluwole Bajomo in Lagos State, the administrative division of Nigeri ...

, Ego, Silver Saddih,

Flavour Flavor or flavour is either the sensory perception of taste or smell, or a flavoring in food that produces such perception. Flavor or flavour may also refer to: Science *Flavors (programming language), an early object-oriented extension to Lisp ...

, Mo'Chedda, Praiz, Simi, Rooftop MC's and so many others. Cobhams became an MTN Nigeria ambassador for its corporate elite customers in 2015. 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 Angelique or Angélique may refer to: * Angélique (given name), a French feminine name Arts and entertainment Music * Angélique (instrument), a string instrument of the lute family * ''Angélique'', a 1927 opéra bouffe by Jacques Ibert ...

; 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.” Cobhams performed with other renowned Nigerian artists at the

World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental and lobbying organisation based in Cologny, canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded on 24 January 1971 by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab. The foundation, ...

in Davos, Switzerland in January 2014. CNN Africa Voices featured Cobhams in a full-length interview in December 2011. Cobhams, alongside African musicians such as Dbanj, Omawumi,

Femi Kuti Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti (born 16 June 1962), popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, Women's ri ...

and

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, visited the white house to raise awareness on agriculture in Nigeria, through

Bono Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono (), is an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. Born and raised in Dublin, he attended ...

’s global humanitarian group, ‘ ONE Campaign’. He was also invited to participate in the three-day US-Africa summit. Cobhams was invited by the ONE campaign to produce the anthem for the "Poverty is Sexist’ campaign titled Strong Girl. He teamed up with various African female artists such as: Waje (Nigeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique),

(Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe),

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(South Africa), new talents Blessing Nwafor (South Africa) and the video star Omotola Jolade- Ekehinde (Nigeria). Cobhams was called again to produce a remix of "StrongGirl" and this time it included Bono as one of the artistes. Cobhams 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

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(Kenya),

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(South Africa),

(Nigeria) and

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(Tanzania). On September 26, Cobhams performed live on stage at the Global Citizens Festival New York Central Park with several International artistes including

Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, ...

, Beyonce,

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, and

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to promote the UN Global Goals. Cobhams was a producer on the Coke Studio Africa Season 3 show, which aired across various African countries. In 2016 Cobhams produced the Rhythm Unplugged show and Hennessy Artistry. He also produced the first "One Africa" concert in Houston Texas. Cobhams met with artiste and a former member if the group Fugees –

Wyclef Jean Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper, musician, and actor. At the age of nine, Jean immigrated to the United States with his family. He first achieved fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees, ...

. On the first of January 2015, Cobhams released his first music video for "Ordinary People". He has also officially released 5 other singles – "Do the Right Thing" featuring Bez (2015), Christmas song "Star of Wonder" (2015), Boosit ft. Falz (2016), "The Other Room" ft. Ugovinna (2016) and "Adore" ft. Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters (2016).

Singles

His latest single is "We Plenti" featuring Simi, was released on January 6, 2019. Cobham's released his first official single "Ordinary People" on January 1, 2014, and released the video the following January. Star of Wonder released in December 2014 is his second officially released single. 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

Production work

Asuquo also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the album including the singles, "Fire on the Mountain", and "Jailer". Asuquo has likewise produced songs for Nigerian recording artistes such as Banky W and Omawumi. 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 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) in 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". 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.

Personal life

Asuquo is visually impaired.WIPO Authors, Composers, Artists: Music "Inspired by Life": Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo
September 2009. On December 2, 2010, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo married Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni. They have two sons together.

References

External links