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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.
S.O Yess Oo – #14
At #14, we celebrate the pulse of the new school, S.O Yess Oo. In a year where the industry sought connection, S.O Yess Oo delivered the ultimate street binder—a track that united football fans, community loyalists, and party-goers under one rhythmic banner.
Representing 2 Brothers Entertainment, S.O Yess Oo proved his creative confidence in 2025 by mastering the art of the “Gumbay-Afrobeat” fusion. His defining moment was the release of the high-energy single “Goal,” featuring Baby Bernard. Produced by the talented Gox Beat, the track didn’t just play on the radio; it became the soundtrack of the streets, capturing the match-day energy of Mountain City, Fourah Bay, and Fullah Town.
“Goal” stands out as a masterclass in cultural appreciation. While Baby Bernard opens the track immortalizing football legends like Musa Tombo, Kei Kamara, and Mohamed Kallon, S.O Yess Oo expands the scope to honor the movers and shakers of Sierra Leonean society. From Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Gento to Jagaban and Fasalie, the song serves as a roll call of industriousness and local achievement.
But beyond the name-drops, it is the sound that secured his spot on this list. S.O Yess Oo successfully bridged the gap between the polished production of modern Afrobeat and the raw, percussive call-and-response textures of traditional Gumbay. The result was a record that felt both radio-ready and deeply rooted in the soil of Salone.
For crafting a streetwise anthem that celebrates our heroes, blending tradition with the new wave, and delivering one of the most infectious hooks of the year, S.O Yess Oo is the 14th Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone 2025.
