Why are Apreel and Drizilik in Rolling Stone Magazine?

The two biggest Krio fusion songs of the year, “Control” by ApreeL and “Lemonade” by Drizilik featuring The Therapist, just got Sierra Leone music listed in Rolling Stone Magazine’s roundup of the best music from Africa this year. The 45 BEST AFROPOP SONGS OF 2025 lists
Standout tracks from African acts across 3-step, Afrobeats, amapiano, rap, and more.

Coming in at 33 is ApreeL’s masterful multilingual love song “Control,” which writer Mankaprr describes as the “innovative and striking – the perfect song to transcend borders under the banner of Sierra Leonean pride.” Although a newcomer, ApreeL is a one-of-a-kind artist, producer, with an incredible voice and ear. His musical arrangement and songwriting skills, already so far advanced, are proof that when you’ve got it, you’ve got it!

Closing out the list at 45 is Drizilik’s Amapiano banger “Lemonade,” a collab a long time in the making with The Therapist. From its release in January on Driz’s Wait & See EP, the song was an instant smash hit.

Both ApreeL and Drizilik have closed the year with fresh new singles to take us into the new year.

Drizlik released Sabi Road last month, his most successful new single this year. The song’s so dope it even caught the attention of Mr. Eazi.

Sabi Road by Drizilik

Not saying Mr. Eazi is the litmus test for what’s dope in Salone music, but the other song that caught his attention was Apreel’s new release, Sweet Miliki, released just last week.

Sweety Miliky by ApreeL

For anyone hoping that these two stars will slow down in 2026, don’t hold your breath. ApreeL and Drizilik just keep turning out the hits.