Dr ATM: From data analyst to DJ

When NHS data analyst Michael Tobi Akindele was told his job no longer met the requirements for sponsorship it threatened to turn his life upside down.

With just five months left on his visa when his contract ended, he was faced with returning to Nigeria if he could not find work.

But in just a few months, the 31-year-old who lives in Telford, has turned his life around. He has turned his hobby into his career and has gone from data analyst to Afrobeats DJ, entertaining fans up and down the country.

His talent for producing, song-writing and performing saw him successfully apply for a global talent visa and he is now hoping to collaborate with more UK artists as his career progresses.

Akindele, moved to the UK to study at Coventry University, securing the job in the NHS when he graduated.

His journey into the Afrobeats genre began with writing poetry when he lived in Nigeria.

He said: "My friends told me the poems sounded a lot more like music, and I should try and put beats to it... but I was sceptical and wasn't ready."

However, in 2024, while studying in the UK, he was inspired to write his first song, Elevate, about his experiences.

Although making music took a back seat while he was working at the NHS, he kept writing and collaborating with other artists in his spare time.

After losing his job, he moved in with his sister in Telford. He concentrated on producing and song-writing, performing around the country and posting more on social media.

Eventually, he heard about a global talent visa - which allows you to work in the UK if you are a leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology.

He said: "I think it was a divine intervention, because I was pushed to a wall I could not see a pathway."

Akindele submitted the application and waited.

Two days before his visa expired and on the eve of his 31st birthday, he found out he had been accepted, and had an endorsement from Arts Council England.

"The first thing I did was I prayed," he told the BBC. He then told his sister.

"She was shouting, excited, she called my mum," he said.

His stage name is Dr ATM - a play on his initials and the fact that his mother was a doctor in Nigeria.

He said: "Afrobeats brings energy that is just unique, because it makes you participate.

"Even if you don't understand the language you feel it, you understand it.

"The energy and the connection that comes with Afrobeats is just superb."

Akindele performs in English, Yoruba, Pidgin and Japanese - thanks to his love of anime.

He said the next step for him would be to get wider recognition and collaborate with more UK artists.

After a busy summer performing across the country, Akindele said the winter months do not mean he is booking less gigs.

"November, December always bring more gigs for Afrobeats, because people are outside, especially Africans, we are always outside," he said.

"I think December will be a bit packed."

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