The music scene in Sierra Leone has yet again achieved another milestone with artists Apreel and Drizilik being showcased in the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine, which has contributed to the promotion of Salone music globally. The magazine feature recognises the artists’ contribution to the most entertaining acts of 2025 on the African continent, which obviously establishes that Sierra Leone musical talent has transcended being local to being part of the global music dialogue.
Both of these artists made it to Rolling Stone’s list of exciting music from the African continent with compositions that combined the rich cultural background of Sierra Leone with modern music. Drizilik’s song “Lemonade,” featuring The Therapist, together with Apreel’s “Control,” a brilliant multilingual love song, was celebrated for its innovation and appeal. This music, wrapped in the rich genres of Krio Fusion and Afrobeats, has managed to position Sierra Leone not only in West Africa but also on the musical map.
This recognition by Rolling Stone is more than symbolic, marking the endorsement of the international recognition of locally grown artistic talent that honors the traditions yet explores new horizons. As reported by one music critic, Apreel’s piece has thus been labeled “innovative, striking, and the perfect song to transcend borders under the banner of Sierra Leonean pride.”
Drizilik, whose real name is Benjamin Menelik George, was born in Freetown in 1994 and focuses his music on the elaborate mix between the Krio culture and music and Afrobeats. He is representative of the genre “Kriofusion,” where music such as Goombay and Bubu mixes with world music. In this case, Drizilik’s song can be seen as representative because the different elements create something new and special.
Starting off with humble roots, whether it was his homemade mixtapes or his performances at local venues, Drizilik was gradually rising up the ranks in the musical scene in Sierra Leone. He achieved this with tracks such as “Pop Collar” and “Di Mami Im Money For Komot”, but his work with global artists, including the likes of Idris Elba and Big Zuu, is a clear indicator that he has no intention to stop at this point.
Moreover, he broke the streaming record in Sierra Leone on Audiomack with over 10 million plays, achieving an unprecedented feat in the music industry for the country. Moreover, his international performances make him one of the strongest cultural ambassadors of Sierra Leone internationally.
The fact that Apreel is featured in the Rolling Stone article illustrates how quickly he has risen through the ranks in the Sierra Leone music industry. His song “Control” being part of the 45 Best Afropop Songs of 2025 emphasizes his capacity to merge singing with culturally inspired melodies and fresh rhythmical patterns.
Although Apreel is still a relatively emerging artist when juxtaposed with other big players within the country’s music scene, he is the face of the newer generation within the Sierra Leonean music industry, experimenting with genres and expanding the fan base. He is the type of talent who was honored with a nomination at the prestigious Rolling Stone.
Apreel and Drizilik gaining a mention on the cover of Rolling Stone is a defining moment in the journey of the creative industry in Sierra Leone. It not only brings Apreel and Drizilik into the mainstream international spotlight but also puts the spotlight on the genre they hail from, Kriofusion, a genre that has fused their traditional musical heritage with the latest musical trends on the international scene.
For Sierra Leonean music lovers, this accomplishment sparks pride and motivation for the country’s music scene to reach even greater heights. The fact that the global spotlight is now on Apreel and Drizilik implies that with creativity and authenticity, the sound of Salone can shine in any corner of the world.
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Apreel is a rising Sierra Leonean artist and songwriter with a distinct style of incorporating various aspects of their cultures along with contemporary beats of Afrobeats and Krio genres. His performance of “O’way” has gone international, and this song has garnered million views so far. Drizilik Born Benjamin Menelik George, Drizilik is one of Sierra Leone’s most iconic musicians and has managed to make an impression on the music scene with his Kriofusion genre of music. Drizilik has had an eventful musical life with many albums and popular singles that have helped him make a name not only among his countrymen but all over the world.
