The Black Panther of the Middle East

Imagine standing in a room full of skeptics, knowing you’re about to disrupt the system. That’s the energy of T’Challa in Black Panther—a leader who sees beyond borders while everyone else clings to tradition. Makki walks into the entertainment industry with the same defiant spirit. The Middle East wasn’t ready for an African music revolution, and he knew it.

But readiness was irrelevant.

Makki didn’t ask for permission; he created Afrobiano and proved that the region wasn’t just ready for African culture—it was starving for it. “Absolutely, when I first introduced the idea of Afrobiano, there was skepticism. People questioned whether Afrobeats and African culture had a strong enough audience in the Middle East. But I knew the impact of our culture, our music, and our energy—I had seen it resonate globally.”

‍

‍

His story is not a tale of slow acceptance but of forceful arrival. And like any disruptor who refuses to play by the rules, he’s made enemies, taken losses, and still walked away standing.

A Dream That Wasn’t Meant to Be

Before he became the architect of an entertainment empire, Makki thought he was destined for football greatness. He had the skills. The opportunity came. And then, reality crushed it. “A talent scout from Birmingham, UK, came to the UAE to assess players, and out of everyone, he selected me and one other player for a fully funded scholarship program for a month. However, when our visas were denied due to complications following a train explosion, I realized that football might not be my destined path.”

One bureaucratic nightmare, one geopolitical event beyond his control, and just like that, the dream was gone.

Many would have mourned. Some would have given up. Makki simply recalibrated. If the system wanted to block him, he would build his own. And this time, he wouldn’t let anyone decide his future but himself.

‍

The Silento Disaster: A Bloodbath That Could Have Killed Everything

Every empire faces its first true test, and for Makki, it came in the form of an industry disaster that threatened to swallow his business whole. “One of the most challenging moments in my journey was the Silento incident. Everything I had planned fell apart, and it had a significant impact on my business, even leading me to a period of deep frustration and doubt.”

The industry will eat you alive if you let it. Contracts mean nothing if the wrong people are involved. Makki learned this the hard way.

‍

“I had two choices: let it break me or learn from it and come back stronger. I chose the latter.”

‍

No one gets out of this business without scars. The question is, do you bleed out, or do you adapt? Makki adapted. Stronger contracts. More transparency. Less trust in empty promises. The entertainment industry isn’t a fair fight—it’s a battlefield. And if you’re not ruthless, you’re roadkill.

The Middle East Wasn’t Built for Him—So He Took It Anyway

Makki’s presence in the Middle Eastern entertainment industry is an act of defiance. The system wasn’t designed for him to succeed. African music was an afterthought. The business was run by people who didn’t look like him, didn’t move like him, didn’t dream like him.

And yet, here he is.

‍

“I want Mackie Entertainment to be a bridge between cultures, a name that defines the future of entertainment worldwide.”

‍

The industry didn’t extend an invitation—so he built the table himself.

‍

More than a festival, Afrobiano is proof that the world can no longer ignore African music. He fought for it, and the results are undeniable. The numbers don’t lie: Afrobeats is the fastest-growing genre globally, with streaming figures skyrocketing by over 283% in the last three years. The Middle East’s resistance didn’t stand a chance against the demand.

Makki made sure the door could never be closed again when he broke it down.

The Industry’s Mental Health Hypocrisy

This business is designed to break people. The long hours, the uncertainty, the betrayals—it’s all part of the game. But what no one talks about is how the industry pretends to care about mental health while setting people up to fail.

Makki refuses to let his team and his artists become victims of that cycle.

‍

“I don’t think the industry does enough to support mental health, and that’s a problem."

‍

"As a leader, I take it personally. I believe it’s my responsibility to protect my artists and staff from the darker sides of the business.”

The entertainment world thrives on pressure. Anxiety and depression are common side effects. A 2023 study revealed that 72% of entrepreneurs in the music industry report high stress levels, with 60% acknowledging its negative impact on their personal lives.

For Makki, mental health isn’t a non sequitur—it’s a necessity for survival. And while the industry is still playing catch-up, he’s already rewriting the playbook.

‍

The Sacrifices No One Sees

Success is a lonely road. The highlight reels show the wins, the champagne, the screaming crowds. What they don’t show are the missed birthdays, the strained relationships, the moments you can’t ever get back.

‍

“Success always comes at a cost."

‍

Makki gave up countless hours, strained personal relationships, and lost irreplaceable moments along the way.

"Building something meaningful requires relentless dedication, and that often means missing out on things others take for granted,” he shares.

Was it worth it?

“Absolutely.”

Because for Makki, this isn’t just about him. He's set on creating something bigger than himself.

Legacy Over Profit: The Final Stand

Money matters. But to Makki, it will never be the reason he does what he does. Mackie Entertainment prioritizes legacy—driving impact, connecting cultures, and amplifying music on a global stage.

‍

"Profit is important, but it’s a byproduct of doing meaningful work."

‍

When the two goals clash, legacy always wins.”

Legacy is why Afrobiano exists.

Legacy is why Mackie Entertainment continues to expand beyond the Middle East.

Legacy is why he refuses to slow down, even when the system wants him to.

The Black Panther of the Industry—And He’s Just Getting Started

T’Challa isn’t focused solely on ruling Wakanda; his true mission is to reshape the world.

Makki’s vision is no different. He isn’t here to fit into the Middle East’s entertainment industry; he’s here to redefine it.

He has battled the odds. He has taken the hits. He has refused to conform. And through it all, he has built something undeniable.

The industry didn’t want to make space for him.

Now, they don’t have a choice.

‍