About

Wilo Wise is a Sierra Leonean singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer whose career spans more than two decades of recording and live performance. Known for songs including “De Big Wan Dem” and “Leh We Lek Wesef”, he now leads Wilo Wise & the Chosen Band. His new reggae single, “Nar You Ar Choose”, is available October 3, 2026 through Dhawa Brothers.

His commitment to music took shape despite his family’s reservations about it as a career. After leaving the police force in the late 1990s, he pursued creative work, including jingles and acting, while continuing to develop as a musician.

In 1999, Tony Kamara, known as Tony Boy, invited him to join rehearsals for JB2000, the band founded by Jimmy Bangura, better known as Jimmy B. Launched in December 2000, the band featured Wilo Wise as one of its leading vocalists. Between 2000 and 2004, he also performed as a lead vocalist with Afro Sabanoh.

His recording career gained momentum in 2005 when Hassan Bangura, proprietor of Bode Ose, encouraged and supported his return to original songs. “De Big Wan Dem” became the title track of an album that also featured “Leh We Lek Wesef”, “Bee Gae” and “Nor to Me Yan You Man”. “Leh We Lek Wesef” spent 17 weeks at number one on Sky’s Top 10 and earned a CELTEL/Premier Media Awards nomination.

His second album, Alargbah Nor Geh Yagbah, followed in 2007. That July, Ujima for Africa Development invited him to join Khady Black at Sankopha Sunsplash in Hull, United Kingdom. He subsequently moved to Bo to lead the Vicani band and, in 2008, took first place in the African category at a live music event organised by Music Makers.

Alongside performing, Wilo Wise has built a career in music production. His credits include co-producing Imatutu, the 2010 album by Jeneba Koroma, known as Lady J. After returning to Freetown, he continued producing for established and emerging artists in Sierra Leone and beyond. He also plays drums, bass guitar and rhythm guitar.

In 2021, Abdulrahman Sesay, known as Morasta, appointed him general overseer of UDM and leader of its dance band. After Morasta moved to Finland in 2023, he formed his own band, fulfilling a long-held ambition. The act performs as Wilo Wise & the Chosen Band.

“Nar You Ar Choose” follows five singles released since 2018: “Dunya Fu”, “I Wish I Was a President”, “Na We Na Salone”, “Tell Fren True” and “Land That We Love”.

His stage appearances include the One Nation Reggae Festival in 2025. During the festival’s artist-selection process, he met producer Bhai-Dhawa Sesay, whose guidance, encouragement, and creative support helped him take the next step in his music career.

Now working with Dhawa Brothers, Wilo Wise & the Chosen Band are preparing his first reggae album: a six-track project with “Nar You Ar Choose” and “Jah Is Great” as its promotional songs.