Meet Djibril Drame of DM Media in South Sycamore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Djibril Drame.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Djibril. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
My name is Djibril Drame. I am a Senegalese visual artist, filmmaker, and curator based in Los Angeles. I earned a bachelor in Journalism, Communication and Public Relations in Dakar and a certification for Arts Curatorial from International Curators Independent an organization based in New York. At the age of 15, I started hanging out and making murals with my cousin Deep, who is one of the first graffiti artists in Senegal. Some years later, since the graffiti scene in Senegal was growing up, I was like: ” Wait a minute, something is happening here”. From that point, I took my camera to start documenting the scene. Since my background is graffiti, people might describe it as street photography. But for myself, I don’t like to be in a box, so I will describe my photography as an art full of humanity and divinity. Before moving to the US in August 2016, I have been working for big companies like Orange, Tigo, Forbes Africa…I also worked in the Government in Senegal as an assistant in communication at the Ministry of Local Governance.

Recently Fresh Voice Awards at the Key West Photography Festival, where I was invited as a spotlight speaker and exhibit artist. Currently part of a group show at Matter Studio Gallery where I am showing a body of work about the relationship between human and the Divine. I have recently made an album cover for a Universal Music EMI artist, named Anais for her album called “Darkness At Play”.

Right now, I am working as a commercial photographer and if I am not doing that, I am showcasing my fine art or doing street scouting for Six Wolves.

Has it been a smooth road?
Never smooth! It has been so rough. From my parents who did not want me to become an artist because it’s not safe financially to have doors closed constantly. All industries are complicated but especially the art business. Skin color, network, cultural differences…The struggles have been real and still but there is no option of quitting.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with DM Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
DM Media is a communication and cultural engineering founded in 2012 in Dakar/Senegal. The company have been working with clients as Philip Morris, Tigo, Africans in the Diaspora, Western Union, Francophonie, Forbes Africa, Félicité ( Alain Gomis), Nespresso, Tastemakers Africa, Eiffage, MTV, Ministère du Tourisme et des Transports Aériens, Ministère de la Gouvernance locale, du Développement et de l’Aménagement du Territoire ( Senegalese Government), Facebook…Managed by Morgan States alumni in Business Administration Ndeye Filly Gueye, DM Media is experienced in PR, Communication, Art Curatorial, Event Planning, Interior Designing…

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The weather reminds me of Africa. So I love that. I do love the multitude of events going all over the city. Love hiking on Hollywood Hills or Baldwin Hills, playing soccer at Fairfax High School or visiting the Flea Market. Love visiting the Underground Museum, Hammer Museum, Band of Vices. So far. I do also love the varieties of coffee shops. Bloom and Plume is so far my favorite coffee shop. Its located on Temple Street.

I do not like the lack of diversity in high top management of many companies. I do believe that we all need to work more to bring more diversity in all the disciplines. Not only have one African, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, African American or Australian and think that we are making an impact. The real impact will arrive once these minorities are being hired as board members but not as retail associates or some low quality jobs.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1264 South Sycamore Avenue,90019
• Website: www.djibrildrame.com
• Phone: 3239042802
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/gadaay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gadaay
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/godeyegadaay

Image Credit:
Portrait of Djibril DRAME by Fede Kortez

1- Mame Diarra, Water and Ice Series, Senegal 2009 by Djibril Drame
2- Black Jesus Christ, Senegal 2018 by Djibril Drame
3- Theo Crocker, Jazz Musician in his Downtown Los Angeles apartment, 2019 by Djibril Drame
4- Djibril and two costumers at Matter Studio Gallery visiting the photography group show titled Reflecting Matter. Show is running until May 19th
Djibril Portrait is a photography by Fede Kortez and the photography of Djibril and two people watching his work

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.