The year 2023 has been an interesting one for Sierra Leone’s music and Entertainment Industry.

From the outset of January until the present, this vibrant sector has witnessed an influx of new and talented artists, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s music landscape.

Some have made a lot of noise with their music, but only a handful of artistes had us putting their songs on repeat, making noise when a song came on and made a serious impact during the aforementioned time.

Sierraloaded, Sierra Leone’s leading platform re-introduced the “Hottest Artiste List” back in 2021. This annual tradition offers an unfiltered assessment of the artists who have not only shaped but also defined the musical landscape of Sierra Leone throughout the year.

The Hottest Artiste List meticulously highlights those entertainers who have achieved the most significant milestones. This includes artists who scored chart-topping hits, embarked on successful tours, made substantial moves in both the local and international music scenes, won prestigious awards, and, most importantly, the people we’ve listened to and danced to for the past 12 months.

In a year marked by artistic innovation and creative excellence, Sierra Leone’s music and entertainment industry continues to flourish, demonstrating the country’s immense talent and potential on both the national and international stages.

As the year draws to a close, Sierraloaded will systematically reveal the 20 Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone starting from December 10. As you eagerly await the unveiling, be sure you are following Sierraloaded on social media platforms to celebrate these exceptional individuals who have made this year a sonically unforgettable one.

Arkman – #7

Abdul Razak Kanu or ‘Arkman’ as He is largely called has enjoyed a fairly spectacular 2023. Since his breakthrough hit “Vanity” in 2016, Arkman has not relented in his quest to delivering good music and this has earned him a feat of becoming the first musician from Salone to break international limits and carry the Sierra Leonean music globally.

His influence this year spreads outside the music circles, as he also impacted immensely on communities around Sierra Leone. Last year, he was also involved in the distribution of food stuffs to the poor and his partnership with the Legal Aid Board and National Youth Commission culminated into a free musical concert for children at the Freetown Amusement Park.

On the tour scene, the Arkman Music Boss expanded his reach by travelling to the United States of America to perform in one of the biggest music festivals in America, the One Salone Music Festival. This incredible festival combines the best big-name international artists with local acts, introducing a new crowd to fusion Afrobeats and African musicians mixing hip-hop, pop, rock and other genres with their culture and heritage.

We’re not forgetting Arkman’s Hit Single “Freedom”, a song which spreads like a bush fire with over 10,000 plays on Audio Mack in Three Days, and every corner in Freetown. The song chronicles the rising cost of basic commodities and hardship in Sierra Leone.

Nothing more can be used to describe an amazing year – hit songs, tours and great successes like that which Arkman has had! There needs no question as to why the vanity crooner sits on the #7 spot among the Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone 2023!