Mackie Conscious hoping to take title to the west

Mackie Conscious is as multifaceted an artiste as he is accomplished. He has performed on most major shows in Jamaica, including Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica Jazz and Blues, and other major events in the USA and the Caribbean.

The artiste, whose given name is Dennis McKay, is among the finalists in this year's Festival Song Competition with his entry, We Big All Around.

With over 60 songs, two albums, and 12 music videos under his belt, it should come as no surprise that Mackie Conscious has also penned and produced a previous entry in the JCDC Festival Song Competition. The song, titled Country Life, was performed by Lyford McIntosh, who ended up as second-place winner in 2009.

And in 2015, Mackie Conscious made another contribution to the Festival Song Competition, this time entering as a contestant himself with Jamaica Nice. Mackie went on to finish as a top-10 finalist.

Mackie, who hails from western Jamaica, said that the Festival Song Competition is getting better with time.

"I see other contestants as my brothers and sisters," he said.

"I am not competing with them. I am competing only with myself, aiming for the highest mark. If a man has won with 71 points, I am not looking to beat him with 72. I am trying to get to 100, the best that I can be."