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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.
Incredible JJ – #18
If 2023 was his breakout year and 2024 was his year of dominance, 2025 has been the year Incredible JJ officially graduated from “local sensation” to “global export.”
From the vibrant streets of Kenema to the bright lights of London, JJ’s trajectory remains one of the most inspiring stories in the industry. While he first captured hearts with his viral “Freetown” freestyle, he spent 2025 proving he is no one-hit wonder.
His 2024 mega-hit “Bad Bush” became the gift that kept on giving, dominating Audiomack’s national chart for four consecutive months and crossing the 2.6 million stream mark on Boomplay this year—a feat that cemented his status as a digital giant.
But JJ didn’t rest on his laurels. He kept the momentum alive in 2025 with the release of “Sporty Vibe” in September, a dancehall-infused Afrobeat anthem produced by Nashito Kulala that took over the clubs. He followed this up just days ago with the release of “Side Gig” (December 2025), a smooth, melodious track that is already trending, showcasing his signature “Who DoZ That” tagline.
The crowning achievement of his year, however, was his international debut. On November 16, 2025, Incredible JJ took the stage at The Steel Yard in London, performing alongside Drizilik at the “Live in London” concert. Seeing a boy from Kenema command a London crowd was a defining moment for the culture, validating his journey from a doubter’s son to a national treasure.
With a unique ability to weave Mende, Krio, and English into a sound that is both authentic and exportable, JJ represents the new fearless generation of Salone music.
For taking the sound of the East to the West and proving that talent from the provinces can dominate the world stage, Incredible JJ is the 18th Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone 2025.
