I’m anything and everything in the bathroom

Although there's a popular dictum that says there's ability in disability; a visit to the splendid home of one of Nigeria's and indeed Africa's finest producer, song writer and singer; Cobhams Asuquo inside the sprawling estate of Ogudu GRA, re-shapes that aphorism to 'there are torrents of abilities in disability'. Cobhams is such a phenomenon! He even helps his wife in taking care of business in the kitchen; as he went ahead to rescue a burning rice in the presence of this reporter when his wife was engrossed in some other things. The way he makes his way around the house without any assistant is absolutely stunning!

So touching is the fact that this handsome and talented creative genius has lost his sight but that has not stopped him from beaming with life and even doing magnificent things than people with sight. In this interview with Opeyemi Ajayi, Cobhams revealed his best kept secrets on family life, the kind of woman he married, how he goes about his daily activities without much ado, his relationship with Asa and sundry issues.

Excerpts:

Tell us about your experience while growing up?

I'm the last of six children. My father was in the army and my mother still takes care of us. She likes to play with her children, pray with them and just be with them. She's a full time mother and I really like her for that. Childhood was interesting and it was fun. I did everything I was big and bad enough to do. I ran around, played with tyres, jumped staircases and did all kinds of stuffs. I was just that kid who was around. I got into fights and was competitive. I was a very adventurous kid with an event filled childhood.

Could you highlight the kind of training you received while growing up?

I think they treated me like any parent would. They spanked me when they thought it necessary, showered me with love and affection, they were there to answer my questions, took particular interest in me and I feel I'm just a product of love. Not just from my parents but from other members of my family as well. I mean my siblings.

When did your interest in music, production and even singing start?

I think it has always been there. It probably began to manifest as I grew older. I started to play the piano at about age 8 or 9. When I was nine years old, I was already playing for my church. I don't remember a time in my life when I didn't know or like music or didn't express myself musically. But I think it began to really manifest at age eight/nine.

I can understand that it's like you were born with music, but at what point did you feel brave enough to actually do music professionally?
I don't know; I always thought I could do music. I don't remember a time I thought I couldn't. At age six and seven, I used to puff my cheeks and play the twelve buff blues; I used to drum with everything in the house, from the dinning table to barrels of water and everything. Music was just a part of me, it excited me and I loved to listen to music. My father played a lot of music around. When I replicate some of the songs I've heard; drumming and try to sing them, it'll be my own style and my own audience. So, it has always just happened.

Who actually guided you along the line at a time you were still very raw?

My family played a very important role. My father used to play a lot of Kenny Lazarus, Jimmy Cleave, Don Williams, Ginger Williams and all of those stuffs. And as I grew older, my brothers listened to a lot of rap songs; Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Warren G, Timberland and the rest of them. My sister was R n B kind of lady and she listened to a lot of old school like Sam Cook, Benny King, Paddy Labelle, Billy Ocean and so many others. And then, my mother; as a young woman, used to keep her music book where she wrote lyrics of songs like Dear John, I love you so and evergreen songs and stuffs. So, I guess it had always been there in the family. Yes, maybe no one played any instrument or took music seriously but my family had always and still does love music.

Could you share your experience while in school especially among your peers and everybody around you then?

I think my experience in the University was interesting as anyone else's experience should be. I was a kind of guy who wanted more than just academics. So, I was pretty much involved. I was studying Law, but I spent more time in the Music Department. I was always playing the piano and hanging out with Musicians. I was friend with people like Darey who was studying Music at the time in Unilag. We would hang out and play music and just have a good time. Besides that, I enjoyed University life in general- Hanging out, making friends and studying. I did a lot of music during my University days. My room then was almost like a mini studio. I had friends who would be making new beats on the computer and stuffs like that. It was a very interesting time of my life.

Surprisingly, you do Gospel music and you just told me you had a family background where everybody listened to all sorts; from R n B to Pop, Old School Jams and even Mum kept lyrics of Evergreen Blues. Why concentrate more on Gospel music then?

I don't know if there's Gospel guitar, drums or piano; I think the lyrics makes song what it is. You can sing anything on any instrumentation and it will immediately change that name. On my part, there are quite a number of reasons; maybe my consciousness or maybe who I know God to be in my life or what I've been called to do. It may even be what I've been called to take Music to. The effect of a message that's positive might also be it for me.

You've been behind the success of many great Nigerian musicians; a good example is Asa. What's the seceret?

I don't know if there's any secret. I just do what I do, and I do it to the best of my ability.

Do you remember a time in your career while growing when people took advantage of your disability or looked down on you in some way?

None that I remember. I think I got a lot of encouragements and I don't have the typical try to drag me down kind of story. I guess being blind for most people was enough of a drag down anyway; so they saw it. But if anything more of a wonder that I could do; I think I did at the time. So, I guess because of that what I got from people was very encouraging. I'm a product of a lot of positive confessions from people who would come in and say, 'Wow! You can do this, you can do that. You're definitely going places'. All of that has happened and it's still happening.

I remember a gospel track you did but when did you drop an album?

I don't know if I have a gospel track like I put it out. It happens to be on Wale Adenuga's album. I respect his songs a lot and he's someone I've really learnt a lot from. He invited me to do a track on his album, and I came out and did it. Officially, I don't really put out music on my own and say this is the music I've put out; come and buy my CD or something. But that's going to change soon and you'll get to see my CD out there.

So, is it going to be gospel or secular music?

Well, just be on the lookout. I will be singing what's required of me. I'll be singing the messages that I carry in my heart- the message for the season.

Without your sight, how do you get to discharge your daily duties?

I think I discharge my daily activities like everyone else does. I don't think you need light inside your mouth to brush your teeth. I think I live a perfectly normal life and the truth is; if you've been in your environment long enough, you would know your way around and how to navigate which is pretty much what I do. I navigate my way around my house because it's been my house for a while. I navigate my way around my place of work because it has been my place of work for a while and it doesn't make help for me to seek help for what I know that I can do and do with ease. But when it does get tough, then I can get help. Overall, I think I undertake my daily activities as normally as anyone else would. When it comes down to production, that's a different ball game because most professional producers have sound engineers.; so I have a sound engineer who works me in the studio just like Captains have first officers.

You got married sometimes last year, how did you meet your wife?

We met in a Library at the Public Affairs section of the United State Information Service. And we got talking, exchanging numbers, became friends, began to call each other, became best of friends and a few years ago we started to date. We finally got married in the end.

How did she actually feel when you told her your mind?

How did she feel? That's a very interesting question. I think she can answer that better. I don't know if I would know what I saw or know how I felt. I don't think I would know how she felt too.

Were you able to feel her and probably I should even ask that how were you able to know her complexion, her skin type, how beautiful she is, her height and some other things guys normally consider?

If you close your eyes and I walked up to you and stood behind you and I put my hands on your shoulder as I'm taking to you; you would know I'm standing without you having to open your eyes. I'm not saying the sight doesn't deserve credit but I think sometimes we give too much credit to sight over what we can do with other senses. You don't need sight to tell that your food is sweet. I think we should understand that we have other senses that work just as well. They help us take in, perceive and complete the process of perception.

If you had the opportunity to change one thing from your past, what would that be?

I think I would wish that I have more knowledge of the dynamics of people earlier on in life.

The dynamics of people in what sense?

In terms of how human beings behave and in terms of what makes human beings human beings. I would wish I had knowledge of that earlier on in life. It probably would have helped me deal with people better earlier in life. It's not like I've had terrible situations like that but I think the dynamics of human behavior is so interesting; when you understand it, you'll avoid a lot.

There was a rumour that grew wings and flew so well recently that you've stopped producing Asa on some grounds. What happened and how true is that?

I don't know how you'll stop producing someone. If she's not in the studio, then she's not in the studio. I don't know if she's done the third album. The last time she was working on her last project which was her second album, we were together and we wrote songs together and those songs are on that album. Asa is a great person. For that to happen, it means certain things have to happen. I think she's really a great person.

To put it straight, are you saying your relationship with Asa is intact and you've got no problem with her?

What problems? That's amazing! If you say you heard it as a rumour, it's a rumour I'm hearing from only you. I've never ever heard it. I think Asa is a wonderful person and she's a phenomenon as far as Nigerian music industry is concerned. I think she's contributed greatly in terms of putting Nigeria on the map and I'm happy to be part of that process and the only way to go for her is up. It's great to know and meet people like her who don't just have great sense of musicianship but also great personality. Outside her music, she's a great person.
For someone like you who's been around for sometime now, how would you rate the Nigerian music industry?
I think the industry is growing and I think certain things need to be done now that the industry is still in its early stage of development. I think certain issues need to be tackled and the industry needs to be taken more seriously. In all, I do believe it's growing, there is so much hope and more opportunities are opening up in the industry.

With the likes of D'banj taking the game to the next level by collaborating with top acts in the Western countries; are we looking forward to that soon enough at your own end?

Before you start looking forward to anything from me, I think we should start by celebrating those who have done exploits. I think Don Jazzy is an amazing producer. I have the honour of being in contact with him personally and I think what he's done has opened doors for the industry in another dimension. He's set the stage for international collaborations for Nigerian artistes and producers. I think we should celebrate that rather than jumping into what you expect from me or any other producer. I think the guy should get some credit for what he's done. And I think everyone should take a leaf from there. I think he's got it because he's the best at what he does and he doesn't play with his opportunities. It's something that everyone should really learn from, ride with and be positive about.

Five years from now, where do you intend to be in your career?

I hope to maintain consistency in terms of delivering world class music out of this African space. I hope to have done my quota in terms of putting Nigeria glaringly on the map by bringing to the fore the positive contribution of Nigeria to world development. I hope to have done this noticeably in the next five years. I hope to by then be living a life that's a lifestyle in terms of marriage, in terms of business and generally.

I saw you recently at Wizkid's album lunch, is that one of the ways you unwind?

Wizkid is a great artiste and Banky W is a personal friend. I like the EME crew and they're my people. I would go through anything to be at their event. On how I unwind, I like nice restaurants, exotic cousines, long drives and doing something I haven' done before. I like great movies, playing the piano, funny conversations. I like funny conversation because it helps me relax. I spend a lot of time with my wife and that helps me unwind. I like to read good books and surf the internet. I don't like parties very much. I like small crowd, especially those that I know.

Now that you're married, how has the experience been so far?

It's been beautiful. I think it's one of the best things that have happened to me. It's great to have a loving person who's loving, supporting and caring. And someone you can also love. I'm happy I have someone that I can love, someone that I can trust, someone I can be there for, someone I can take care of, someone who gives to me, someone who's very supportive and caring. I don't feel as lonely and it's a great feeling. I'm definitely happy to be married especially to someone who has the fear of God. I tell you what, it's a total blessing.

What inspires you?

I think God actually inspires me but I think he inspires me through various ways. I'm inspired by early mornings when I wake up because it's a good time for me to find inspiration. I'm inspired mid flight when I'm flying, nice train ride-I don't get that here though, nice and quiet new place too, tragic situations or extreme situations (good or bad) sometimes inspire me. I'm inspired in the bathroom. That's when I'm a priest, astronaut, physicist, musician, superstar and a member of the audience. I'm everything and everything in the bathroom.

Is it when you're doing your 'thing' in the bathroom?

It depends; so long I'm in the bathroom.

Tell me one thing that your wife does that makes your job so easy?

She appreciates everything I do and that makes me want to do more. She's her head of business and that means I could concentrate on being creative that I am. So, it makes my work easy and makes me want to work more. My wife is very encouraging and she doesn't take for granted any achievement no matter how small.

Away from your loving wife, would you ever produce a song for someone like Terry G or any of the 'high-tempo beats' loving kind of musicians we have around?

Well, it depends. I like Terry G and Ay.com's Pass Me Your Love. I was so high on that song. At that time, I thought that was the best thing I'd heard. I think people should go back and listen to that song. It is an amazing track. No matter how you upset me, if you play Pass Me Your Love, you and I will be friends. (General laughter)

Is it the beat or the lyrics that you fancy so much?

It's just altogether a feel good song. I like the rhythm, the lyrics sound terrible but there was just something about the music. I think it's especially the baseline. For me, that song just did it. Terry G on 'Pass Me Your Love' I just thought was crazy!

Can you highlight some songs that has been done by Nigerian artistes that you feel is a classic?

Tuface's Only Me; I love that song any day anytime. A lot of the songs Lagbaja has done, they're just completely amazing. Lagbaja is one of my favourite artistes. A lot of Onyeka Owenu's songs, especially her older albums. I just think she's an amazing artiste. I think the same for Christy Essien Igbokwe of blessed memory; she had one of the most amazing songs. I like some of the stuffs by Ogoli, I like some of the stuffs by Ema Ogosi and some of Majek Fashek's older works, I think they're just completely awesome. I like the stuffs from Blacky; I mean I grew up listening to all of these stuffs. I'm kind of an old school kind of guy when it comes to Nigerian music. There's a song on D'banj's album, Entertainer which didn't get much airplay but in my opinion it's one of the best songs I've heard from him and I think it's an amazing track. I think it's this song where he was trying to issue a 'craze' or something. I love that song completely! It's an amazing song. There are just some songs that have made me lose my mind; I just hear them and I don't know how to act. Yes, there are a number of songs that Nigerian musicians have done that I really like.

How do you get high; do you get high on cooking your beats?

I get high on the Holy Spirit man.

I understand the spiritual thing but I'm talking about the physical here and not the Christianity stuff?

What in this world is not spiritual? (Laughs) If I don't talk like a Christian, how do you want me to talk? For me, I don't have a life that's apart from me being a Christian. So, I don't have my Christian life and business life separately. My Christian life is my business life.