While many musicians in Sierra Leone relocate to Freetown in search of visibility and opportunity, Yayah Wyem Muctarr, popularly known as Wyem, has chosen to remain in Bo City, building his music career from the country’s second-largest city and focusing on community impact over capital-city exposure.
“I don’t want Bo City to be short of quality musicians,” Wyem said. “I want to be among the people who can influence young people in a good way.”
Wyem’s journey into music began in primary school when his elder cousin recommended him to fill a vacant spot in the school band. Despite his age, he performed well. At home, he improvised instruments using bowls, entertaining his sisters as they danced. By secondary school, he had begun writing rap lyrics and studying established artists in Bo City, learning from their performances and creative approach.
His sound draws from a mix of influences. Inspired by Shaka Bundu’s sound and style, as well as the music of 2Pac and reggae, Wyem began shaping his musical identity. Shaka Bundu is a South African artist whose influence is reflected in Wyem’s ability to blend singing and rap. Exposure to American hip hop at home, through his older brothers, further shaped his direction.
Although music was always present, Wyem did not initially see it as a career. That changed between 2009 and 2010, when he started working closely with music producers in Bo City and later in Freetown. The experience marked a turning point, pushing him to take music seriously.
That decision was not without challenges. Raised in a religious household where music was considered forbidden, Wyem faced resistance from his family. Convincing them that music could be a meaningful and legitimate pursuit required patience and persistence.
Over time, Wyem developed a creative process grounded in personal experience and observation. He draws inspiration from different music styles across the world and often writes while alone. Some songs begin with a title, while others are inspired by real-life situations involving himself or people around him.
In the studio, Wyem works closely with producers and remains heavily involved in shaping his songs. After the beat is created, he records his vocals and helps guide the direction of the track before final mixing. He describes his sound as dancehall rap or reggae rap, with rap serving as the foundation of every style he explores. This fusion has become known as “Upkotry Vybz.”
While he began his career focused strictly on hip hop, Wyem’s sound has evolved. He has recently experimented with country music, exploring how it can be blended with Sierra Leonean rap to create something new.
One of his recent releases, Na Wae Normor, focuses on a relationship that started positively but later deteriorated due to unforeseen circumstances. Wyem said he hopes listeners take away peace, calmness, love, and joy from his music.
Remaining in Bo City has strengthened his connection to his audience. Wyem says much of his support comes from offline listeners, particularly older residents who recognize him in public and comment on the quality of his sound. At the same time, he acknowledges the importance of his growing online following.
Wyem advises young artists to remain patient, respectful, and open to learning from those who came before them. He believes his music contributes to positive change in his community and hopes to expand that influence among young people.
Looking ahead, Wyem hopes to collaborate with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and Sierra Leonean musicians including Star Zee, Emerson, Mus B, and Drizilik. He also aims to perform on major stages such as Afronation, London’s O2 Arena, and Madison Square Garden in the United States.
Outside of music, Wyem is involved in agribusiness. Together with his mother, he supports small-scale farmers by providing seeds and cash, which are repaid after harvest. He said the work is necessary, as music alone does not yet provide a stable income.
For Wyem, staying in Bo City is both a personal choice and a statement about where meaningful cultural influence can begin.
