By Kemo Cham
One of Sierra Leone’s most prominent music artists, Alhaji Amadu Bah, better known by his stage names, LAJ, Boss LAJ or King Boss LAJ, left prison on Monday morning like a king.
The rap star is among 352 prisoners freed after been pardoned by President Julius Maada Bio as part of his traditional New Year’s Day gesture. 11 of those pardoned are female.
The move is based on a constitutional provision called prerogative of mercy, which empowers the president to extend clemency on two occasions in the year – New Year and Independence Day.
LAJ was serving a 9-year jail term after been convicted of robbery and assault early last year, following an incident at a fuel station in Freetown. He denied the charges against him throughout his prosecution.
The rapper best known for hit songs like ‘Freedom,’ a collaboration with CatHouse, and ‘Lollilipop,’ was received by a jubilant crowd outside the Pademba Road Maximum Security Prison in Freetown.
Among the crowd was Information Minister Cherno Bah.
LAJ told reporters after emerging from the huge prison gates that all he wanted was to be a good citizen who promotes peace, and that he doesn’t want to ever return to prison.
The rapper’s release followed passionate plea from fellow entertainers, including First Lady Fatima Bio, to President Bio.
Preparations for his arrival included the release of a Peace Song, a collaboration between himself and his one-time archival in the music industry, Kao Denero, real name Amara Dennis Turay.
The rivalry between Kao’s Black Leo crew and LAJ’s Red Flag Movement (RFM) was akin to the West Coast-East Coast rivalry between late American rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggy Smalls.
Kao, who is the Bio Administration’s Music Ambassador, has been at the forefront of efforts to pardon his former rival.
In their song, which is themed National Peace and Cohesion and titled: ‘Peace,’ they call for unity and speak against tribalism and regionalism.
‘Salone Big Pass Wi All (Sierra Leone is bigger than every individual),’ goes the song which was released on New Year’s day, moment before the rapper’s release.
The song also speaks about the resilience of Sierra Leoneans, reminding citizens of the hardship the country had gone through, from the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic to the 2020 -2022 Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the need to unite and fight against poverty and prevailing development challenges.
“War is worse than hardship…”
“Animosity will only worsen the poverty and suffering of the masses…”
Kao says in his line in the song, stressing: “Unity is the key.”
“When a player is good, let him finish his game, support his leadership,” goes LAJ on his line, calling on Sierra Leoneans to support the sitting government and citing the November 26, 2023 failed attempted coup that led to the deaths of security forces.
“Sierra Leone must rise again…”
“We should enjoy Sierra Leone…”
“We should change government through the ballot box, not with the gun…,”
Sings the RFM leader.
