Why did you decide to put your weight behind the One Africa Music initiative?
I decided to be part of this because I don’t know anyone doing music that will resist something as laudable and important in the history of our music as this. Everyone involved will want to lend their voices to this. This is like pioneering a movement, it is like opening the gate for the conversation between Africa and the rest of the world at the arts level. I am grateful to be part of this.
Why have you been so passionate about the Bring Back Our Girls campaign?
I don’t have anyone who was directly involved and I don’t think we need to have someone before we speak out. I think this is one of our problems. As a people, we have that individualistic approach to a lot of things. That is why there we have a disconnect between the average man and the government.
There is a discontent between the average man and the policy that we make. These girls are real people, they are cousins, sisters, children and wives to be. They were taken away from their families without reasons. No matter how long it takes, it never diminishes the importance of this situation.
The government needs to do something about the urgency of the situation. I think this is a conversation we should continue to have as a people and what better time to have the conversation than now that the world is watching. We have an opportunity to say things to the world, we need to tell the world that regardless of what happens, our girls are not forgotten. As a people, as Africans, we want them to be brought back.
Your new collaboration with Falz is quite different from what we know you for; are you now doing commercial songs?
It is not a question of Cohbams doing commercial music or anything else. For me, I make music that is relevant. Music is arts and I find expression in various means. To be able to collaborate with Falz is a personal joy. In order to get the message across, especially to his own audience, it is important to create music that is relevant.
It must be relevant to the people we speak too. So it is not a question of whether I am going commercial or not. If the music is great, I would go for it. Do you like the music? I am all for great music as a producer and performer; I don’t discriminate.
Are you satisfied with your progression generally in showbiz?
I think it has been intriguing and interesting with its ups and downs. I started out just doing this for fun but now it is paying my bills. From my early days with Faze and the group, Maintain, before they split up, these are some of the people that took the risk of having me work with them.
I remember some key moments like the first time I actually sat down to make music at New Wave Production, the experience was simply amazing. Although I had been in the studio before, I found myself doing what I had always dreamt of doing and I was just about 16 then.
I continued afterwards, making music and meeting people. I was introduced to Faze by his brother, who was my senior in secondary school (King’s College) and later I met Maintain’s manager in the studio. They took a chance on me and it began to happen from there.
What are those things you still desire to achieve?
I don’t believe I have conquered the music industry. Personally, I feel that my career just started. I have been making music as a producer, but I also have the ability to perform. No matter how much name I have made as a musician, there is still lot to do as a performing artiste. I am starting out literally, I think of myself sometimes as starting from the scratch as a performer.
So I am giving it my sweat, blood and tears and I am really excited about it because I can see the result and responses of people. I don’t think I have conquered the music industry, I am just proud of an industry that has been very good to me.
I am happy to be given more than I have given in the last 16 years or so. I am excited about how I am evolving in the industry.
Why did you decide to become a performer?
I have always had the ability to perform right from when I was little. It was possible I doubted my ability. I have found out that it is okay to do all the things you’ve been gifted to do. This is just me expressing one of the many gifts I feel God has blessed me with.
I have done music production and I have continued to produce at some level, though I have slowed things down on production. There are many other things I plan to do as we progress. We have many Nigerian producers out there who deserve opportunities as well.
Do you plan to feature in movies?
You guys should watch out; that is all I am going tell you.
How do you describe the institution of marriage?
One may never really know how beautiful it is until one gets into it. For me, it has been amazing and beautiful. It is such a rewarding experience, especially when one is married to the right person. I found strength, support, hope and the reason to be grateful for being married.
I have a fantastic wife and I try as much as possible to be a fantastic husband to her too because she deserves the best and so much love for someone who gives as much as she does. The truth is that in marriage even if the other person doesn’t give as much, they still deserve to be loved because it’s a commitment to be kept for the rest of one’s life. It’s been good and made me more responsible. The stakes are certainly higher but I love it all the way.
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