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I like Words

"I Like Words" is a beautiful and powerful expression of the love of words. It is a reminder of the importance of words and their power to shape our lives.

Spoken Word of Obama Onema was released on the self-titled album "OBAFA".

ABOUT OBAFA ONEMA

Obafa Onema is a young Gambian who is seeking to understand and navigate the opportunities, rights, politics, and the life he is faced with. His spoken word pieces are a powerful perspective on life in the Gambia, West Africa.

Obafa grew up in Busumbala, the Gambia, with his mother and eight siblings. When he was 15 years old, his father was killed in the war, leaving Obafa, the eldest male, as the head of the household. To provide for his family, he was forced to quit high school and get a job, ending his dream of becoming a medical doctor. Reading became his passion, and he writes continuously. Today, he works in construction as a day laborer. He is 24 years old.

Obafa is a talented and insightful writer. His spoken word pieces are both personal and political, and they offer a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of life in the Gambia. He is a powerful voice for change, and his work is an important contribution to the conversation about the future of the Gambia.

About Muhammed Dibbasey, Poet

Through his spoken word poetry, Dibbasey depicts a young man's struggles with failure, opportunity, and success in Gambia. His four poems, titled Sleepless Nights, They Say, Attitude, and I Like Words, express hope, frustration, and the impacts of Gambia's history of the slave trade and colonialism.

Dibbasey's story identical to that of Obafa Onema. A story of perseverance and self-made success. Growing up in Busumbala, one of Gambia's poorest neighborhoods, Dibbasey became the family's eldest male after his father died fighting in the war when he was only 15 years old. He abandoned his dream of becoming a doctor to support his mother and eight siblings, most of whom were orphans whose parents were killed in the same war as Dibbasey's father. Despite these challenges, he never lost hope and eventually started a record label and talent management agency, Cellular Vibrations, representing some of the top hip-hop, afrobeat, and afropop performers in the Gambia.

"OBAFA" is a brilliant reflection of Dibbasey's journey and the struggles he has faced. His works have received acclaim from artists and audiences alike, with some describing it as "a mind-blowing reflection of a dream of opportunity," and "an exciting reflection of the past of a young man navigating the present", says Max Barrett, Editor of OBAFA.

CREDITS

Voiceover: Obafa Onema
Produced by Cellular Vibrations in association with MaximillianGroup
Director: Muhammed Dibbasey
Executive Producer: Muhammed Dibbasey
Spoken Word: by Muhammed Dibbasey
Video: CottonBro
Film Editing: Max Barrett / MaximillianGroup
Art Direction: MaximillianGroup
Cover Art: Max Barrett / MaximillianGroup
Distributed by MaximillianGroup

  • Muhammed Dibbasey
    Director
    They Say, Sleepless Nights, Attitude
  • Muhammed Dibbasey
    Writer
  • Cellular Vibrations
    Producer
  • MaximillianGroup Inc
    Producer
  • Muahmmed Dibbasey
    Key Cast
    "Obafa Onema"
  • CottonBro
    Video
  • Max Barrett
    Editing
  • MaximillianGroup Inc
    Art Direction
  • Project Type:
    Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Africa, Gambia, Film from Africa, Short Films, Spoken Word, Inspirational
  • Runtime:
    32 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Gambia
  • Country of Filming:
    Russian Federation
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Lift-Off Sessions
    Buckinghamshire
    United Kingdom
    April 27, 2023
    UK Premier
  • Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker
    Pinewood
    United Kingdom
    May 15, 2023
Distribution Information
  • Max Barrett
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Muhammed Dibbasey

Muhammed Dibbasey is a young Gambian entrepreneur, spoken word artist, and member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). He is passionate about using his talents to make a difference in the world. He is the founder of Cellular Vibrations, a music promotion company that represents some of the top hip-hop, afrobeat, and afropop performers in the Gambia. He is also the creator of OBAFA, a four-part spoken word poetry series that has been praised for its powerful message of hope and resilience.

Dibbasey grew up in Busumbala, one of Gambia's poorest neighborhoods. He lost his father to war when he was just 15 years old, and he had to take on the responsibility of supporting his mother and eight siblings. Despite these challenges, he never gave up on his dreams. He worked hard to get an education, and he eventually earned a degree in economics from the University of the Gambia.

Dibbasey took the spotlight immediately taking a bold leap as the Executive Producer of Grab Di Mic, Muhammed has been instrumental in transforming the music scene in Gambia. Under his leadership, the event has grown from a small concert for 500 people to Gambia's fastest-growing performance event, attracting over 2000 attendees and featuring the country's top hip-hop and pop artists.

Dibbasey started Cellular Vibrations with the goal of promoting Gambian music and culture. He has now transformed it into a digital marketing agency. It will be one of few Agencies in The Gambia, let alone West Africa, that at it's core is a focus on Marketing and will provide Social Media Marketing, Web Development as well as marketing for the artis, musicians, artists, poets and cultural tourism. The company is a collaboration with MaximillianGroup, a digital marketing agency in San Diego, California.The company quickly became successful, securing important clients in Gambian film production, travel, NGOs and Theater.

In addition to his work in music, Dibbasey is also a talented spoken word artist. He has performed his poetry at festivals and events all over the world. His work are often personal and reflective, addressing a powerful message of hope, resilience., frustration, and the search for identity. In 2023, he has been recognized by the Lift-Off Global Network's First-Time Filmmaker to watch for his spoken word poetry. The films had their UK debut screening at the Lift-Off Sessions Film Festival in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom as well as the First Time Filmaker Sessions hosted by Lift-Off Global Network at Pinewood Studios, United Kingdom. In total the short films have screened at four film festivals and all shot films have recieved credits on IMDB.

Dibbasey is a role model for young people in Gambia and around the world. He is a reminder that anyone can make a difference in the world, no matter their age or background. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and economic empowerment, and he is using his talents to inspire and empower others. Dibbasey also used his platform to advocate for social justice and economic empowerment. He is a strong supporter of women's rights, education and the importance of music and the performing artists in both education and our lives.

Dibbasey is also a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a program of the United States Government that works to empower young leaders across Africa. He has received funding from UNESCO for projects involving performing artists, and he has worked with Gambia's top Afro-pop and hip-hop artists such as ST da Gambian Dream, Kombonka, A'Tic Silva, Jizzle, Bob Billion. He has also mentored and developed the careers of artists such as Vybz Kalipha, Eezah Accezz, A'Tic Silva and more.

Dibbasey is a force for good in the Gambia and in the world. He is a talented artist, a passionate advocate, and a role model for young people everywhere.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am Muhammed Dibbasey, a 24-year-old poet, entrepreneur, and filmmaker from Busumbala, Gambia. I am the creator of the OBAFA short films, which are a series of spoken word poetry performances that explore themes of hope, frustration, and the search for opportunity in Gambia.

The films are inspired by my own experiences growing up in poverty and struggling to find a way to make a difference in the world. In the film "They Say," I speak out against the corruption and injustice that I have seen in my life. I am not a passive victim of my circumstances. I am intelligent, resourceful, and determined to overcome the challenges I face. However, I am also limited by the fact that I am only one person. I cannot change the government on my own. I can only use my voice to raise awareness of the problems that exist and to inspire others to take action.

In the film "Attitude," I reflect on my own powerlessness and lack of control, but also my determination to stand up for myself and not be taken advantage of. I believe that art can be a powerful tool for social change. The OBAFA films are my way of using art to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young people in Africa, and to inspire them to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference.

In the film "I Like Words," I celebrate the power of words to shape our lives. I know that words can be used to empower and uplift, as well as to oppress and disempower. This shows that black people are aware of the power of language. They can use words to fight for their rights and to create a better future for themselves and their communities.

In the film "Sleepless Nights," I explore the challenges of insomnia and how it has helped me to understand the world around me. The speaker knows that his insomnia is a gift from his ancestors, who are trying to help him understand the world around him. This shows that black people have a rich history and culture. They are connected to their ancestors and to the land of Africa.

The OBAFA films are a powerful reminder that racism, oppression, and tyranny are common to the human condition. However, they also show that black people are resilient and determined to overcome these challenges. The films are a testament to the power of art to shed light on the black experience and to inspire others to fight for justice and equality.

I am a rising star in the African arts scene. I am a passionate advocate for using art to promote social change, and I am committed to using my platform to inspire others. I am a true inspiration, and I am excited to see what I accomplish in the future.