The Sierra Leone DJs Union (SLeDU) has officially crowned the winners of the 2026 National Music Awards.

The highly anticipated ceremony took place last night, March 27, at the Bintumani Conference Centre, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the nation’s entertainers over the past year.

True to SLeDU’s earlier announcements, the competitive categories were determined entirely by the fans, with no jury or panel scoring involved.

Hip-hop and Afrobeats star Drizilik emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home three major awards including Best Male Artist of the Year, Best Album/EP of the Year, and Best Live Performance. Pretty. S secured the title of Best Female Artist of the Year.

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The coveted Best Song of the Year award went to “So Yes So (Goal ft Baby Bernald).” The artist So Yes O had a dominant showing across the board, also claiming Fans Choice Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration Song, and Best NE Artist of the Year.

In addition to the fan-voted categories, SLeDU took the opportunity to honor several industry stalwarts for their enduring contributions to Sierra Leonean music and culture. Legendary figure Jimmy Bangura was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, while Michael Komba received the Humanitarian Award.

The union also bestowed Special Recognition Awards to several key figures who have shaped the industry, including Emrys Savage, Amara Denis Turay (Kaodenero), and Alhaji Amadu Bah (LAJ).

Official 2026 SLeDU National Music Awards Winners List

Honorary & Special Awards

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy Bangura

  • Humanitarian Award: Michael Komba

  • Special Recognition Awards:

    • Emrys Savage

    • Annie Menzo

    • Amara Denis Turay (Kaodenero)

    • Alhaji Amadu Bah (LAJ)

    • Jackie Solomon

    • Abubakarr Konteh (DJ Boxx)

    • Abubakarr Sidiki Turay

Artist & Performance Categories

  • Best Male Artist of the Year: Drizilik

  • Best Female Artist of the Year: Pretty. S

  • Best Female Artist of the Year: Wisher Baby (Note: Listed twice in official release)

  • Best Afrobeat Song of the Year: Kontri Boss

  • Best Album/EP of the Year: Drizilik

  • Best Collaboration Song of the Year: So Yes O

  • Best Dancehall Artist: Sissay Man

  • Best Diaspora Artist of the Year: Zua

  • Best Group of the Year: Freetown Boyz

  • Best Hip Hop Song of the Year: Jakey Jakey

  • Best Islamic Song of the Year: Husaine Hassan

  • Best Live Performance of the Year: Drizilik

  • Best Male Hip Hop of the Year: Medee T

  • Best NE Artist of the Year: So Yes O

  • Best New Diaspora Artist of the Year: Freetown Boyz

  • Best Next Rated Act of the Year: Leonus Di Genius

  • Best Provincial Artist of the Year: King Foh

  • Best RNB Artist of the Year: Markmuday

  • Best Song of the Year: So Yes So (Goal ft Baby Bernald)

  • Best Stage Performance of the Year: Faze Ya-Alimamy

  • Best Traditional Song of the Year: Augu B

  • Fans Choice Artist of the Year: So Yes O

  • Best Reggae Artist of the Year: King Medal

DJ & Industry Categories

  • Best Club DJ of the Year: DJ Yomie

  • Best Diaspora DJ of the Year: DJ Flavour (U.S.A)

  • Best Radio DJ of the Year: DJ Laj K

  • Best Producer of the Year: Wilbert

  • Best Video Director of the Year: Songa

  • Best Music Video of the Year: Zua

  • Best Record Label of the Year: 2 Brothers Entertainment

  • Best Upcoming of the Year: DJ Super Slim

  • Best Hypeman of the Year: Hypeman Y4 G

Media, Entertainment & Venues

  • Best Blogger of Year: King Sannoh

  • Best Comedian of the Year: Yemata

  • Best Night Club of the Year: Toronto

  • Best Radio Entertainment Presenters of the Year: Edward & Dendenja (Epic Radio)

  • Best Radio Station of the Year: Rise Radio

  • Best Tik Toker of the Year: Juju Jeks

  • Best TV Entertainment Presenter of the Year: Nakama Slingo

  • Best TV Stage of the Year: AYV Television