Drizilik

BIO

Drizilik is a talented recording artist from Sierra Leone. He was born in April 1994 in the country’s capital city, Freetown, where he has lovingly called home throughout his life. His melodic HipHop sound is heavily influenced by his Salone culture and ambitions to represent his country’s youth globally via music.

His breakthrough debut single “Pop Collar” was released late-2015 and become an instant hit across the streets of Freetown and soon after radio and clubs. His many music releases since and continued determination in contributing to the rise of new young West African artists breaking new ground has cemented him as one of the most popular Sierra Leonean artistes, plus, won him many accolades along the way. His “Listeners Choice” nomination at the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) is further testiment to this success and his growing reach worldwide.

He released his debut album "Shukubly" in December 2018. The ten track long-player was led by the hit single "Shukubly" featuring his longtime friend and music collaborator, DJ Rampage. The ‘Shukubly’ project went on to undeniably influence not only a new sound wave for his musician peers but also brought to light a whole new fashion trend amongst Sierra Leoneans around the country and the diaspora. 

Quite remarkably the critically acclaimed album earned him a very impressive four wins at the National Entertainment Awards 2019 - including Album of the Year, Best Afro HipHop Artiste of The Year, Male Artist Of The Year and Best Live Performer. That same year he went on to win the highly coveted “Sierra Leone Artiste Of The Year” at the All Works of Life (AWOL) Awards. 

Drizilik is widely renowned for his captivating and charismatic live performances. He has performed at festivals and events all over Sierra Leone including The MaDengn Arts and Cultural Festival, Freetown Music Festival, Eco Festival etc. He has also worked with numerous performing arts institutions like as The Ballanta Academy of Music and was the guest performer at the first Tedx event held in Sierra Leone.

His music is widely enjoyed across Sierra Leone and in Salone communities throughout Europe and America. Due to increasing public demand he embarked on a UK tour in late 2019 accompanied by his popular band, the mighty Freetown Uncut. They made their first UK appearance at Hull City's ‘Freedom Festival’ and after seven other performances across the country closed the tour at a sold-out headline concert in London. During the tour they were invited for numerous media interviews including the BBC World Service, Worldwide FM, Soho Radio etc and would later collaborate with several UK artists including Big Zuu and SILVASTONE.

Drizilik has toured Sierra Leone alongside other acts like Emerson Bockarie, Wahid, Kindo Armanie and King Fisher. Last year  Idris Elba via his team invited him to perform at “Africa Day” - a virtual concert he was hosting that was broadcast worldwide on MTV Base and YouTube. 

Drizilik - or “Benjamin Menelik George” as his parents prefer to call him, is a brand influencer, youth ambassador and the youngest amongst the renowned and popular Salone musicians. He is an official brand Ambassador of the biggest network provider - Orange Sierra Leone, and one of the country’s leading banking service, Guarantee Trust Bank. He is also the proudly the Entertainment Manager at Eminence Africa and the co-founder of Shukubly INC - a company set-up to empower youths and promote Sierra Leonean Culture  through Arts and Entertainment.

When not actively involved in recording or performing music Drizilk enjoys playing football and involving himself in nation building  projects across the country.