Cribs International has officially presented a cheque of NLe 300,000 to Francis Reffell, popularly known as Keltony, the grand winner of the first edition of the Cribs International Talent Search competition.

The cheque was formally handed over on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, during a brief but significant ceremony at the Cribs International office in Freetown. As part of the process, Keltony signed official documents confirming receipt of the prize money, solidifying his new journey under the record label.

In his welcome address, Cribs International CEO Sho Cole explained the rationale behind the talent search initiative, stating that it was created not just to discover raw talent, but to contribute meaningfully to the growth of Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry.

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“The performance that Keltony delivered during the finals was beyond expectations,” Sho Cole said. “Even fans of other contestants ended up supporting him because of how outstanding he was. He truly surprised everyone, including us.”

Keltony, in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude, attributing his victory to divine grace, dedication, and tireless practice.

“Everything that happened is God. I didn’t have full control over it,” he said. “But I’ve always admired Cribs International and wanted to be part of them because of their solid management structure. Now that I have this opportunity, I’m bringing my best. I’m ready to learn and grow with the label so that I can reach the heights they expect of me.”

He added that fans should expect “great music,” noting that working with Cribs would allow him to showcase the professional side of his artistry.

“I don’t make bad songs, and now with Cribs behind me, everything will be perfect,” he declared.

CEO Sho Cole also elaborated on the inspiration behind the talent search, revealing that it was prompted by the overwhelming number of aspiring musicians reaching out to be signed by the label.

“We couldn’t sign everyone, so the best option was to create a platform to bring them all together and choose the best,” he said. “We wanted to set a new standard for talent competitions in Sierra Leone, so we designed the show to mimic the quality and structure of Britain’s Got Talent.”

He revealed that as part of the grand prize, Keltony will now benefit from a full record label management deal similar to that of Cribs International’s previously signed artists, Boii and Peter Komba. This includes full music production, brand promotion, and a regular allowance under the label.

In addition, Cole announced that the top 10 contestants will each receive a distribution deal. The songs they performed during the competition will be revamped and compiled into an album. Some of the finalists will also be offered a one-year deal to prove their potential.

“The top three will work closely with Cribs moving forward,” he added.

Though initially envisioned as a one-time event, the CEO disclosed that due to overwhelming demand from prospective participants, a second edition of the Cribs Talent Search will be organized. Depending on its success, the competition may become an annual event.

He concluded by urging Sierra Leoneans to invest more in the entertainment industry, emphasizing its potential to elevate the country’s creative scene to international heights.