Authur: ©️ George Ojuku Momoh
What comes into your mind when you hear “this music was sung by a Sierra Leonean”?
Negativity,right?
Sadly, that reaction has become very common and it because of the wrong step many artists of this generation have taken.
Most of their songs are branded under what can be described in this era as “Dirty Music”—songs that are driven by vanity, profanity and the and hunger for viral fame.
Most artists no longer sing to educate,spread love or reconcile,many now sing with the motive of getting fame and going viral.
Then VS. Now: A Shift in Purpose
Earlier in the 90s, artists sang songs not just to be popular but to sensitise and cause a meaningful change in society. Artists like Emerson Bockarie, Lansana Sheriff(Steady bongo), Salia koroma,Allo Brown and many others sang songs that till today compete with the current ones in greatness. They sang to sensitise,educate, and provoke meaningful social improvement.
Today, the opinions are divided.
Some believe the artists are to be blamed for choosing vanity over values, profanity over purpose and popularity over decency.
Whilst others believe it’s the system being that their isn’t enough jobs as a result leading to many youths being idle.
They believe if all the youths have jobs,then the music industry will be filled only with those who have the true callings and those who see music as their lives would go into it and that’ll be their motivation to sing only songs that create meaningful change and improvement for now and forever.
A New Voice in a Noisy Era
But among all these,stands a particular young man,one who has chosen to separate himself from others,one whose motive is like that of Emerson Bockarie in the 90s and Incredible JJ in this 20s.
Elijah Justin Jolley is a Sierra Leonean born and raised in freetown. He’s one of the Nation’s top
emerging Afrobeat singer and songwriter who’s known for his raw locally and international rooted songs.
He produces Afro-fusion/Afrobeat music that reflects Sierra Leonean culture.
His two officially released songs since he entered the music industry are,
“Feeling You,”(2024)
“Mordelor,” (2025)
Elijah has emerged as one of Sierra Leone’s decent voices in the era when others have chosen to sing dirty.
Known by many as “Incredible Jolley boy” he has chosen purpose over profanity,values over vanity and respect over indecency.
About His Songs
His first released song “Feeling you”
Feeling you is a celebrated love song which celebrates the beautiful God given nature and body structure of all women. In the song, incredible Jolley boy uses a calm,cool, sweet and appreciative tone to win his fiance over so they can have a great time together, reflecting how all other men should treat their women as the queens which they are. This song can be accessed and watched on YouTube https://youtu.be/0dDXqulD-8s?si=Ix3wCXowcso-BVE7
After listening to this song, you can tell that Jolley boy’s main aim in the industry is to make everyone feel safe, matured and understandable.
“Moderlor”
His latest released is a mind blowing, intriguing and emotional love song which expresses the hard time some men go through just to win their fiance’s mother’s heart.
In Sierra Leone, it’s well recognized that some mothe- in-laws(in krio “Moderlor”) are very strict when it comes to their daughters. They are well alert and aware that some men come into women’s lives just to destroy and terminate their futures.
In the song “My Moderlor,” Elijah tries to convince his mother in law that he’s not like the other kind of men,he conveys to her and others that he’s very careful, respectful and not a player(someone who dates too many ladies) at the same time he lists some of the good qualities which every man must have like, honesty, faithfulness, decency,and many other qualities.
Moderlor can be accessed on
Audiomark https://audiomack.com/incrediblejolleyboy/song/mordelor?share-user-id=28912649
On YouTube at https://youtu.be/MBc2SrF6JJs?si=18MOSlalUlE-oaOe
All platforms https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/incrediblejolleyboy/mordelor/
His songs can be streamed on all platforms.
Creating to Change
He’s the true definition of “creating to change”
These two songs have been celebrated worldwide.
To the Public
Such talents and individuals are the kind the world should keep on promoting instead of investing in songs that degrade the integrity of the country, and the continent as a whole. Jolley boy serves as a friend, mentor, colleague, brother and many more to many people out there and if that can be developed,his voice would be heard as how it’s supposed to be and through that there’s a possibility that the rate for dirty music would reduce.
If Sierra Leone stake holders spend time to observe all emerging musical artists, they’ll discover that people like Incredible Jolley boy is the kind of person to represent the country’s flag everywhere in everything.
Sierra Leone has a lot of talents and if they’re being encouraged and developed, Sierra Leone will regain its seat again as the Athens of West Africa and this time the World as a whole.
