Ghanaian Filmmaker Malik Ofori Brings Bristol to Life in Rocky Jigga’s Cinematic ‘Obaahemaa’ Music Video

Ghanaian filmmaker Malik Ofori is earning praise for his latest directorial effort, transforming the vibrant city of Bristol into the backdrop of a visually striking love story in the music video for Rocky Jigga’s latest single, “Obaahemaa.”

Far from a traditional performance-driven music video, Obaahemaa embraces cinematic storytelling, blending breathtaking locations, visual effects and an ambitious teleportation concept to create a film-like experience that celebrates love, culture and aspiration.

Speaking about the project in an exclusive interview with Ameyaw Debrah, Ofori revealed that joining the production was a natural progression after his involvement in the song’s creation.

“I was already involved in the music production,” he explained. “The record was recorded and produced by Ball J with production from Zymie. Once the record was ready, Rocky Jigga approached me because he wanted a music video that would feel cinematic while celebrating both his music and his journey as a Ghanaian artist living in the UK.”

According to the director, the artist wanted something that would stand apart from conventional music videos.

“From our first conversation, we shared the same vision of creating something that would stand out visually rather than following a conventional performance-based music video.”

Turning ‘Obaahemaa’ Into a Cinematic Story

The title Obaahemaa, which translates to “Queen” in Twi, inspired Ofori to create visuals that reflected admiration, elegance and ambition.

“My vision was to create a story that felt magical, emotional and visually memorable,” he said.

Instead of relying solely on performance shots, Ofori crafted a narrative centred on teleportation, allowing Rocky Jigga to seamlessly travel between iconic locations across Bristol.

“The concept symbolised ambition, freedom and the journey of embracing new opportunities while staying connected to one’s roots. Every camera movement, transition, colour grade and visual effect was carefully designed to match the rhythm and emotion of the song.”

Showcasing Bristol Through African Storytelling

One of the standout features of the video is its prominent use of Bristol’s famous landmarks.

The production takes viewers through locations including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Harbourside nightlife, Made in Bristol and several scenic urban spaces, each selected to reinforce the video’s themes of movement, transformation and discovery.

“I wanted the video to showcase the beauty of Bristol while telling a universal story about growth and possibility in a love story,” Ofori said.

“As a creative artist based in the UK, I believe local landmarks can become powerful storytelling tools. I wanted the culture and the city to be part of the video.”

He added that incorporating the city’s attractions also demonstrated how music can connect cultures through visual storytelling.

Two Days, Big Ambitions

Although the final product feels expansive, the production was completed in just two days.

Ofori admitted that the teleportation sequences presented the biggest technical challenge, requiring meticulous planning, precise camera positioning and consistent lighting to ensure the visual effects blended naturally.

The crew also had to contend with unpredictable weather, busy public spaces and limited access to dancers during filming.

Despite those obstacles, the director believes the team’s preparation paid off.

“Through detailed pre-production planning and careful editing, we were able to deliver seamless transitions that supported the story without distracting from the music.”

Community Joins the Production

The shoot also produced several memorable moments, particularly when curious members of the public stopped to watch filming in Bristol’s busy streets.

“It was encouraging to see passers-by stop to watch, ask questions and appreciate the creative process,” he recalled.

One spontaneous interaction even found its way into the finished video.

“We even had a random guy volunteer to be the piano player in the last bit of the video.”

African Excellence on a Global Stage

For Ofori, Obaahemaa represents more than just another music video.

He hopes audiences recognise the artistic potential of music videos as powerful storytelling tools.

“I want viewers to see that music videos can be more than promotional content—they can be meaningful visual stories,” he said.

“I also hope people appreciate the creativity, planning and craftsmanship behind each frame while recognising that African creatives can produce work that meets international standards.”

The filmmaker also hopes the video’s growing popularity will encourage more people to visit Bristol.

Building a Global Career

Before relocating to the United Kingdom, Ofori was part of the creative team behind Kwen Kwen and several campaign music videos for Ghana’s successful presidential campaign, experience he says strengthened his ability to deliver projects with significant cultural impact.

Since moving abroad, he has continued blending African storytelling traditions with international filmmaking techniques while building a name in the UK’s competitive creative industry.

His work is already attracting international attention.

“I’m currently in the United States, but I recently shot a video for a client in France because they saw my work online and wanted to work with me,” he revealed.

Looking ahead, Ofori plans to expand into larger commercial productions, documentaries and international film projects while creating opportunities to mentor emerging creatives.

“My long-term goal is to produce internationally recognised films and creative projects that showcase African excellence on the global stage,” he said.

With Obaahemaa, Malik Ofori appears well on his way to achieving that ambition, delivering a music video that not only elevates Rocky Jigga’s latest release but also demonstrates how African filmmakers continue to push creative boundaries on the world stage.