Cobhams Asuquo at TEDxEuston 2012 - "The Gift of Blindness"

He reads Braille, is a musician, producer, and songwriter par excellence. Yet Cobhams Asuquo never trained as a musician. He has allegedly said that his music career began 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, including the sensation, Asa, whose 2007 debut album was an international hit, and Bez, an emerging star in the Nigerian music scene. Born in 1981, he has not let his age or his disability get in the way of every dream he has ever had. His middle name ought to be INSPIRATIONAL.In his compelling talk – he says;”One of the things that has fueled my ability to dream has been the gift of blindness”. The “gift of blindness”?. How can that be? This might sound paradoxical…but that is what the event was all about – challenging conventional wisdom. Listen to Cobhams’ talk and be inspired.

 Watch his amazing talk at TEDxEuston 2012 HERE

Cobhams Asuquo is a singer/songwriter/music producer and music entrepreneur. After graduating from the Pacelli School for the Blind and King’s College Lagos, he started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched out into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire. While working with a Nigerian music label as an in-house producer, he gained a unique insight into the local music scene. He saw the opportunities and challenges within the industry with a vision to develop an entrepreneurial platform from which to drive the industry forward. Today he is the founder and chief executive officer of Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions (CAMP). He gained international attention for producing and co-writing ‘Asa’, the debut self-titled album for the acclaimed soul singer. He was recently featured on CNN’s African Voicesfor 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.

Introducing TEDxEuston 2012 Speakers - Cobhams Asuquo

In an interview with CNN in 2011, Cobhams Asuquo said...

"I had sessions that were cancelled because they weren't sure I could deliver either because they thought I was too young or maybe as a blind person" 

To really challenge conventional wisdom at TEDxEuston this year, you will get to know Cobhams Asuquo, who like his long-time hero Stevie Wonder, was born visually-impaired. But, even that was not enough to stop Asuquo from realizing his ambitions.Most people heard his name for the first time when the Nigerian soul-singing sensation, Asa, burst unto the music scene in 2007, with her debut album. Cobhams wrote and co-wrote several of its hits songs. But Asuquo is not only interested in helping out fledgling music stars. He also sees himself as an ambassador for blind young Nigerians who still face many challenges in their daily lives. He told CNN that .....

"I think it would be meaningless if I can achieve as much as I can achieve and as much as I hope to achieve and I'm not able to affect other blind people,"

What makes this amazing African tick? What has created this phenomenon called Cobhams? At TEDxEuston you will not only hear about his incredible journey but you will hear that he does not think that he has come close to fulfilling his life work. If this is the only reason you come to TEDxEuston this year ...it will be worth it...that is a promise! Get your ticket HERE

Cobhams Asuquo is a singer/songwriter/music producer and music entrepreneur. After graduating from the Pacelli School for the Blind and King’s College Lagos, he started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched out into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire. While working with a Nigerian music label as an in-house producer, he gained a unique insight into the local music scene. He saw the opportunities and challenges within the industry with a vision to develop an entrepreneurial platform from which to drive the industry forward. Today he is the founder and chief executive officer of Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions (CAMP). He gained international attention for producing and co-writing ‘Asa’, the debut self-titled album for the acclaimed soul singer. He was recently featured on CNN’s African Voicesfor 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.

REGISTER HERE TO HEAR HIM SPEAK AT TEDxEUSTON

Registration opens for TEDxEuston 2012

It is that time of the year again...as we open registration for our biggest TEDxEuston yet!


Visit our brand new website to read the profiles of 13 exciting speakers who are challenging conventional wisdom on the continent. From the arts to archaeology, from social venture fund managers to social entrepreneurs, from newspaper publishers to digital artists, from music producers to public sector leaders, from writers to psychiatrists and even some royalty - you will not find a more exciting, eclectic mix of speakers focusing on Africa anywhere in the world in 2012 - that's our promise!. Visit the website and see for yourself.

The new TEDxEuston website

Once you have made your decision to attend, don't put it off. It will be your best investment of the year - promise! Register NOW.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Last year we sold out way in advance and sadly had to turn away hundreds of interested attendees. You are the reason we do this, so we have substantially increased capacity and moved the event to an exciting new venue in London "The Mermaid" with a beautiful view on the Thames. Registration will include full access to the event, a light breakfast, 3 course lunch and the after party, and all the speakers have promised to stay through the day to brainstorm further, sign their books, and you may even get to dance with them at the after party! When the tickets are gone, they are gone. Share with your friends and see you in December! Your TEDxEuston team is working hard to make it an unforgettable experience for you!