In 2023, when he released the dance-inspired song Bellfoot, recording artiste Macini did not get the traction he wanted. 

But two years later, the song is a viral hit, generating significant buzz in places like Nigeria, Europe and the United Kingdom (UK).

“The song has gotten a new lease on life, if that’s a better term to use.  We didn’t get the reception that we had wanted back then, but now, thanks to a dance challenge, Bellfoot has been giving me some attention,” Macini told Observer Online last week.

Macini, who is originally from Waterloo in Mile Gully, Manchester, has resided in London for several years. But although opportunities to perform regularly are limited in England due to the country’s weather, Macini has utilised social media to promote his music, a move he says has shown results.

“It’s difficult doing reggae and dancehall music in the UK. There are not many opportunities to perform because there are not many outdoor events due to the weather. Social media is the platform that many are using to promote their music,” Macini explained.

Macini was drawn to music when he started to play the guitar in church.

“I came from a musical family and my father was a strict disciplinarian. But while I was attending Christiana Comprehensive High, it was electrical engineering that I was interested in. But that shifted to music once I started to play the guitar, and then I moved into writing songs,” said Macini.

Bellfoot is his second dance-inspired song. He previously released Si Mi Ya which largely went unnoticed. But Macini doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into just doing dance songs.

“I like doing happy songs, but I am a versatile artiste. I do songs for the girls, reality songs and roots and culture,” he shared.

A certified electrical engineer, Macini is presently working on an EP.

— Kevin Jackson