By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
A recent public perception survey conducted by Meraki Analytics has ranked Sierra Leonean musician and rapper LAJ as the most popular music artist in Freetown, with 11.4 percent of respondents naming him as their favourite performer.
The survey, carried out under the Meraki Analytics-Citizen Lens/OneField Public Perception Survey initiative, gathered responses from 1,217 residents across the capital city between 13 April and 4 May 2026. The study sought to determine who currently holds the title of the “King of Freetown” in Sierra Leone’s music industry.
According to the findings, LAJ secured the top spot, reflecting his growing popularity and strong influence within the country’s entertainment sector. Drizilik followed closely in second place with 10.5 percent, while Famous claimed third position with 8.0 percent of the votes.
Veteran rapper Kao Denero ranked fourth with 6.7 percent, while renowned singer Emmerson came fifth with 5.4 percent. The survey highlighted the continued relevance of established performers alongside the rise of a new generation of entertainers.
Legacy Boi, widely known for his hit song The Money Necessary, finished sixth with 4.6 percent, followed by K Man with 3.9 percent. Star Zee placed eighth with 1.7 percent, Steady Bongo came ninth with 1.6 percent and Pretty S completed the top ten with 1.3 percent.
Meraki Analytics noted that the results reflect the diversity of Freetown’s musical landscape, where both veteran acts and emerging talents continue to enjoy strong public support.
The survey also revealed that nearly one-third of respondents, representing 30 percent, either do not listen to Sierra Leonean music or do not have a favourite local artist, highlighting the varied entertainment preferences among residents of the capital.
A total of 85 different artists were mentioned during the survey. Other musicians receiving recognition included Jimmy B, Pupa Banja, Incredible JJ, Bakiteno, M2, Kracktwist, Samza, Rozay, Empress P, Apreel and several others.
In its analysis, Meraki Analytics stated that LAJ’s emergence as Freetown’s favourite artist underscores his increasing influence in the local music industry while also demonstrating the highly competitive nature of Sierra Leone’s entertainment scene.
The survey was conducted with support from Meraki Analytics’ partners as part of its ongoing Citizen Lens/OneField Public Perception Survey initiative aimed at capturing public opinion on key social and cultural issues.
