Post a comment 
The wait is finally over. After a strategic one-year hiatus, the most anticipated ranking in Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry has returned—bigger, sharper, and more comprehensive than ever before.
The year 2025 has been a defining era of resilience and global exportation for Salone music. From the outset of the year until now, we have witnessed our sound break new boundaries. From artists dominating international tours to the rise of viral sensations who captured the streets, the competition for the top spot has never been fiercer.
Sierraloaded is proud to present the 20 Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone (2025 Edition). This list remains an undiluted assessment of the industry, meticulously documenting the last 12 months. We have looked beyond the noise to identify the true movers of the culture—evaluating musical impact, digital footprint across all major streaming platforms, offline reach, and brand value.
This isn’t just a ranking; it is a celebration of the voices that defined the year. As we countdown from December 10 to the grand reveal of the #1 Artiste on December 30, we invite you to join the debate using #SaloneHottest.
The stage is set. The music has been heard. Here are the exceptional individuals who ruled the year.
I-Tribe – #6
Securing the #6 spot is the CEO of Majesty Entertainment and the industry’s undisputed “Hookgod,” Leonard Francis Massaquoi (I-Tribe). After a year defined by cross-continental tours and one of the biggest songs of the decade, I-Tribe has reaffirmed his status as the “Landlord of R&B.”
I-Tribe opened his 2025 account in February with the smooth, soulful single “Man Down,” setting the pace for a year of vocal excellence. However, his defining moment arrived in June with the release of “E Sweet,” featuring the Modern Day King, Drizilik. This collaboration became an instant cultural phenomenon, trending in every corner of Sierra Leone. With over 1 million streams on Audiomack and 400,000+ views on YouTube, “E Sweet” wasn’t just a song; it was the soundtrack of the year.
He didn’t stop there. To close out the year, I-Tribe teamed up with the legendary Ambassador Kao Denero for “Like A Star,” a track that received critical acclaim for blending the old school with the new wave. His versatility was further showcased on the collaborative track “Chika” with Witchman Records’ Isat, where his vocal delivery was nothing short of majestic.
2025 was also the year I-Tribe took his show on the road—literally. After dominating local stages at Star Zee’s Ladies Fest and the MuGomeh Festival in Bo, he crossed the Atlantic. In July and August, he joined Drizilik for electrifying performances in Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio, before headlining his own “All White Gala” in New Jersey.
Upon his return, the “Hookgod” reminded the home crowd of his stage supremacy, performing as a special guest at Drizilik’s concert, the Black Leo ‘All Game Final’ launch, and the MA DENGN Beach Festival alongside heavyweights like King Boss LAJ and The Therapist.
For delivering the year’s most infectious melody, expanding his brand to the US diaspora, and maintaining an elite standard of visual and audio production, I-Tribe is the 6th Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone 2025.
