Cobhams Asuquo

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Cobhams Asuquo^[1] (Efik pronunciation: [ˈko̞bʱäms äsˈuːku:wo̞]) is a born blind Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter. In 2005, Asuquo was signed on with Sony ATV London as a songwriter.^[2] After working as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he set up his own recording facility in 2006. He is CEO/ Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions) which is currently representing himself, 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.

Early life

Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo is a Nigerian song writer/music producer per excellence who started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire. His style comprises a wide spectrum of genres based on his careful understudy of such classical, jazz and traditional music greats as Tchaikovsky, Dave Grusin and Haruna Isola respectively.^[3] He is currently signed onto Sony ATV (Sony Publishing) London as a songwriter and has won awards in music as well as his other fields of interest. Cobhams released his much awaited first official single title Ordinary People on 1 January 2014. The Song immediately became the NO.1 on most radio charts Nigeria.

Music Career

Cobhams Asuquo likes to say that his music career started when as a child he used to puff his cheeks to play the 12-bar blues. Today, he is known for producing some of the finest artistes in Nigeria. Noteworthy among these artistes is the Nigerian soul-singing sensation, Asa, whose 2007 debut album became an international hit.^[4] In addition to producing the album, Cobhams wrote and co-wrote several of its hits songs. In 2005, Cobhams signed on to Sony 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 CEO/ Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), an all-encompassing entertainment company that discovers, nurtures and exposes great talents. Cobhams has won multiple local and international awards for his creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the Nigerian music industry.

WIPO had the pleasure of hosting on July 13, 2009 a performance by Nigerian musician, songwriter and producer Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo.^[5] He was recently featured on CNN's African Voices ^[6] for his contribution and impact on the African music industry. Rising alternative soul artiste, Bez is the first of three artistes signed by Cobhams to the C.A.M.P record label, and Bez’s debut album ‘Super Sun’ was highlighted on The Boston Globe’s top ten list of best ‘world music’ albums of 2011. He has won several awards in the music and film scene in Africa and beyond. Cobhams talked about the advantages of being blind in an interview he had with the BBCNews Cobhams Also spoke at the TEDxEuston in 2012 where he talked about the gift of blindness.

On 2 December 2010, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo got married to Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni and have a Son.^[7]

Production Work

Cobhams shot to international acclaim 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.”

Cobhams has likewise produced numerous award-winning songs for Nigerian recording artistes such as:

Banky W Omawumi Waje Timi Dakolo Dare Art-Alade Rooftop MCs Faze Mode 9 Ego Shola Allyson Djinee Maintain

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) 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.”

Awards and Nominations

The Future Awards 2006 and 2009 (Producer of the Year)

Hip-hop World Awards 2007 and 2008 (Producer of the Year)

Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) 2007 Producer of the decade.

Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2008 for “Producer of the Decade”

LEAP Africa Award 2007 for his “Creativity, Fortitude & Exemplary Leadership In the Music Industry”

The Partnership Awards 2008 for “supporting the Worship For Change Concert”

One Gospel Awards for “Gospel Composer/ Writer of the Year” (2008)

^[8]

References

1. ↑ British Council
2. ↑ EC Next
3. ↑ CAMP
4. ↑ Asa
5. ↑ WIPO
6. ↑ CNN's African Voices
7. ↑ "A Beautiful Day for A Blessed Couple: Superstar Producer Cobhams Asuquo weds his sweetheart Ojuola Olukanni". BellaNaija.com. December 3, 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012. 
8. ↑ The_Headies_2014

External links

• CNN story on Cobhams Asuquo