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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.
Innocent – #20
Prince Kuti George, the CEO of Money Making Machines (MMM) and a recipient of the Order of the Rokel, continues to be the blueprint for longevity in the Sierra Leonean music industry. While many of his peers rely on past glory, Innocent spent 2025 reinventing his craft, proving that he is not just part of the history of Salone music – he is actively shaping its present.
Kickstarting the year with a defining 4-month creative pilgrimage to Sierra Leone, Innocent adopted a philosophy to “unlearn and relearn.” This grounded approach birthed the motivational anthem “Champion” in January. With lyrics like “I have thrown my past over the window and have succeeded in fighting with my ego,” the track became a soundtrack for resilience, setting the tone for a year of heavy lifting.
His 2025 campaign was characterized by a massive global footprint. The “Son of Kuti” took the Sierra Leonean sound to new territories, executing a successful tour in Australia in April, performing in Sydney and Canberra. He didn’t stop there; by August, he was in the United States, headlining the Saso Production All White Party in Virginia and supporting fellow industry heavyweight Arkman in California.
However, his magnum opus for the year was the release of “Mortal Man” on June 30. Produced by Wilbert, this masterpiece saw Innocent returning to the roots of traditional Gumbay music, blended with his signature vocal maturity. The song serves as a moral compass, reminding listeners that “Mortalman nor to God.” The lyrics struck a chord with the streets and the elite alike:
Beyond his own releases, Innocent remained a pillar for collaboration, lending his legendary status to elevate others. He created magic with Salone Winnerman on “Me & My Brother” and delivered a memorable feature for Salone Cool J in September, bridging the gap between the UK diaspora and the home front.
From rocking the dusty crowds at the Kabala Community Plaza and the Gbogbo Jama Festival at Save D Beach, to selling out venues in the Diaspora, Innocent’s work rate in 2025 has been unmatched. He remains a bridge between the street realities of Kissy and the global stage.
For his ability to evolve his sound, his relentless touring schedule across three continents, and his consistent delivery of timeless music like “Mortal Man,” Innocent Kuti opens our rankings as the 20th Hottest Artiste in Sierra Leone 2025.
