SNM (Skinny Niqqa Music LLC)

If chosen to win the prize, I would use the funds to help create more jobs for youths in my country by buying land and creating factories for agriculture. And help get them out of the street as many youths have no choice but to go through the daily hustle even after graduation. I believe it’s up to my generation to make that change because our leaders are not doing so. To start this process I have even Started a record label I. My country to help underground artists with massive talent but no exposure. So far I’ve signed 5 artists and my team I hired is working towards making their dreams a reality. All the funds I’ve used so far have been out of pocket. So a help would mean the world to me to help speed up or help the process continue. 

My name is Ibrahim Kabba. I was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I traveled to USA around the age of 7 through my father. In 2012 I went back to Sierra Leone and lived there for 2 1/2 years. Through my time being there I witnessed 1st and 3rd person the struggles of everyday life and what it took just to survive. Some people didn’t have food to eat for days. Some slept outside in front of shops on cardboard boxes. Most of these people were youths just like me. I never paid too much attention, but it was always on my mind as to why the government wasn’t doing something against this. My intuition always told me that I would be someone to make a difference someday. I came back to USA in 2014. Since, I had my own passion of becoming a pro soccer player and model, which I have been training for since I arrived. I have sacrificed a lot to be able to achieve these goals and visions. I also started my dream of becoming an artist, which gave me the inspiration to start a record label to give the same opportunity to the less fortunate. 

Through getting in touch with the youth in Sierra Leone, I have discovered many obstacles that are blocking their path to success. One being that the media  industry is very biased and doesn’t give many opportunities to the less privileged. Another problem in the industry is that youths don’t work, therefore making it a peril to record good quality music to produce. I have carefully observed and talk with many media personnel (djs, promoters, tv hosts). They all have one thing in common. They aren’t trustworthy. I never tell them it’s my own hard earned money I use or everything because that would make them want to use me. Rather o tell them it’s sponsorship money. My plan, which I have already started, is to create fair opportunities for both men and women to record and promote their songs through my label while giving the rights and royalties that conventional labels wouldn’t. I also plan to build a studio once I win the prize to ease spendings. After the profit will be used to buy land and start farmlands. Then inwill buy more land and build farming ,car factories and housing which will ease the joblessness in the country. 

my work is unique because not many youth like myself act upon there plans. Most talk about it and that’s it. They are scared to sacrifice because of the systematic bias mindset that is plaguing the country. I plan to slowly but surely eradicate this poor mindset and bring In fresh ideas. I am using and influence and example of sacrifice as a means of showing fellow youth that yes you can give everything for your country. If not you then who will? The only thing that will slow me down is funding but I try the best that I can with however much I understand that great things take time and perseverance and prayer. My label was the first on the country’s history to get our songs played nonstop for almost 2 hours due to requests from listeners. Then we must be headed in the right direction. I intended to follow my plan step by step and brings as many like minded people on board until everything is achieved. 

My organization is having a massive impact on humanity because I believe somehow we are all connected. If we can change the mindset and destiny for enough youths, then not only will that help them, it’ll help their families, children, spouses, communities, and the country as a whole. It would boost the level of productivity. I plan on building a recording studio. Then from there buy enough land to create factories. After gaining enough income I also plan to open several performing arts infrastructures and schools all around the country as I am focused and building the country at large. I don’t think we need to wait on leaders to act upon these things because we are the ones living day to day life and seeing the reality things while they’re always in their offices. Through there visions and plans, My organization plans to get recognized globally and then maybe start gaining sponsorship around the world, which will soles up this process. I have Already started networking and creating new bonds to people around the world explaining my plans. I want to develop the country like my Great grandfather, Brima Ali, who owned about half of Freetown through infrastructure.