The New Vibration Empire (NVE) has been recognized as the best musical group in the entire country by winning the prestigious Sierra Leone Entertainment (SLE) Awards, organized by entertainment stakeholders on April 19th, 2025, at the Family Kingdom in Freetown.
About three years ago, since the group was constituted by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Jackson Blamo, NVE has managed to outshine successful and established groups such as LXG, Kline Nation, and Music Makers in the nomination category to win the award.
Speaking on behalf of the crew, Yung Lio expressed appreciation and gratitude to the CEO, management, and the adoring fans of the New England Ville community in Freetown who overwhelmingly voted for the group to secure the SLE Award.
After receiving a standing ovation from the audience, the group put on a spectacular post-award performance of the NVE anthem—a song that evokes the concept of radical inclusion by creating an enabling environment for marginalized and downtrodden youths to realize their full potential.
The SLE Awards have so far been their biggest achievement and platform, as they attract, feature, and recognize the biggest, finest, and most talented Sierra Leonean artists.
In recognition of their musical talents, the SLE Awards will serve as a motivational tool to succeed on the global stage, and from now on, there will be no turning back—NVE is destined for greatness.
In another development, KING DON KISH, one of the two traditional singers in NVE, went home with an individual award for his Mende tune “Nyakigorkor” as the Best Traditional Song for 2024/2025.
This was a unique solo achievement for KING DON KISH, who triumphed over the legendary artist Steady Bongo and nine others in the nomination category to clinch the Best Traditional Song award.
KING DON KISH was elated and felt blessed to be honored and recognized by music stakeholders in Sierra Leone, saying it was like a dream come true.
“To be nominated alongside big superstars whom I have been listening to since childhood, and to win the SLE Award ahead of them, is a real blessing,” he confessed.
By winning the SLE Award, it has added worth and value to KING DON KISH, as his hard work has paid off by being recognized nationally.
KING DON KISH is not resting on his laurels; he is recharging his energy and efforts to satisfy his fans and make proud those who believe in his musical talent, as he ventures to rock the global stage in the future.
His aim is to popularize the rich culture of Sierra Leone through music, as is encapsulated in his award-winning song “Nyakigorkor,” which highlights the supernatural powers of a traditional ruler.
Before exiting the stage, he thrilled the audience with a spectacular, breathtaking, and intensity-loaded performance of “Nyakigorkor” after receiving the award.
Another song by KING DON KISH that is currently hitting the airwaves, entertainment spots, and social media platforms is “AWALEH,” also performed in the traditional Mende language.
