Top Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer Cobhams Asuquo recently reflected on a defining moment in his career—starting to charge his clients in dollars at the age of 24. In an interview with Pulse TV, Asuquo shared the reasoning behind his decision, calling it a pivotal step that significantly influenced his career trajectory.
Asuquo recalled that the decision, made as early as 2005, was motivated by his recognition of the value of his craft and his desire for financial stability. “I am one of the few producers who started charging in a different currency for the purpose of stability,” he said. His foresight in pegging his charges in a more reliable currency set him apart from others in the industry at the time.
The producer explained that his decision was driven by the need to secure his finances as he gained recognition in the music industry. “As far back as 2005, I began to peg my charges in dollars because I felt it was a stable thing to do,” Asuquo continued. “I was obviously getting signed and getting things going, and I needed to be able to transact in that space.”
Asuquo emphasized that, at the time, there were few, if any, other Nigerian music producers who were charging in dollars. His decision to do so was groundbreaking, and he recognized it as a forward-thinking move that reflected his understanding of the global market. “I hear music producers charge now in dollars, and I say to myself, I started doing this in 2005 when I was just 24,” he said. “I didn’t know anybody else who was doing that at the time.”
He attributed this bold move to his early realization of his own worth as a music producer. “That’s me waking up to the value of my work,” Asuquo proudly declared. His confidence in his abilities allowed him to make this unconventional decision, which ultimately helped to shape his career.
Asuquo also reflected on his work ethic and commitment to excellence. While he humbly acknowledged that he couldn’t always promise the “best in the world,” he expressed confidence in the quality he consistently delivers. “Till tomorrow, I cannot promise that what I will give you is the best in the world, but it’s the best I can give you—and it is very well close to the best in the world,” he said.
