‘We need to be very intentional about the science of our music’, Cobhams

It is said and believed that happy music makes happy faces seem even happier while sad music exaggerates the melancholy of a frown. Regardless of whether music is emotional intonation from speech or a summary of expressive movements – or something else altogether – music has been culturally selected to sound like an emotionally expressive human.

While it is not easy for us to see the human ingredients in the modulations of pitch, intensity, tempo and rhythm that make music, perhaps it is obvious to our auditory homunculus.

Based on the foregoing, talented music producer, Cobhams Asuquo, well known as Cobhams, have said that Nigerian artistes and music producers needs to very intentional about the science of the country’s brand of music and sound.

He made this known in an interview on Flytime TV’s ‘No Hold Barred’, where he spoke about his childhood experiences, how he found music and more. He also talked about not being feeling left out during his childhood, as he got to feel the happiness with video games, and other fun stuff his peers enjoyed growing up.

On how he ventured into music, the producer of repute said it dates back to age of 6, and recounted how he hopped and slept from one studio to another.

“Everytime I slept in the studio, I dreamt of being in my own studio. For me it was just holding on to that dream and working towards it. That was the most important thing.”

Cobhams also narrated how his friend stole his sister’s piano for him, how he played with the guitar well to his own tune, and other instruments and learnt to play that way.

He commended Big Bamo for letting him work on production of the defunct two man group Maintain’s ‘Catch Cold’ hit single. Speaking on his experience while working on Asa’s debut album, and if he thought the project was going to be that successful, Cobhams said he knew Asa was going to emerge a great artist, adding that they both gave it their best to satisfy themselves.

On the state of Nigerian music compared to over a decade ago, the keyboardist said there has been very significant shift, as the rest of the world is paying attention to the nation’s music.

“We need to be very intentional about the science of our music, music is an important factor,” he said. Advising other people living with varying degrees of disability, Cobhams says they should believe enough to give themselves a chance. “It’s worth taking a chance, the worst that could happen is you will fail at it, but you will get better and then you learn, and help pave a way for someone else.”