By: Mohamed Jalloh
Born on January 6th 1992, Sylvanus .S. Kamara is his original name but he is popularly called ICEMAN D BONGO MAN. The talented artist and his parents hail from Mabole, Makeni, Bombali district, northern region headquarter town of Sierra Leone. ICE MAN is the fourth child and first son among five children and it is sad to know that the Kamara family has lost its eldest daughter. His educational journey began at the Murray Town Barracks primary school in Freetown. He went through junior secondary school at the Wilberforce Services and later attained his West African Senior Secondary Certificate at the Model secondary school in 2014.
ICEMAN D BONGO MAN is a multi-talented entertainer. He is a singer, dancer and producer, and because he could not secure the resources to go to university, he decided to enrich his capacity by enrolling in an online course in sound engineering (audio mixing and mastering) self-employment and careerism.
He proudly boasts of his mixing and mastering engineering talent, which gives him an edge over his colleagues, because many are pre-occupied in becoming an artist by way of singing only.
Even though they are non-hits, he has produced songs for low profiled artists but ICEMAN as a singer recorded his first debut single called `beautiful`.
Despite being a producer, DJ and a dancer, ICEMAN seems to develop a natural appetite for music. But, his experience with the New Vibration Empire (NVE) is gradually becoming a career changing moment. “It is like a dream coming true. Since I hooked up with the NVE, I am seeing myself as a star,” he confessed.
ICEMAN has already shot the video of his song CHATA D BAR which is considered a splash hit, waiting to inundate nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment circles whenever it is released by the NVE management.
It is nothing but fun having to watch ICEMAN perform CHATA D BAR on stage. Alongside his dancers, he injects a lot of energy into his sexualized and jaw-dropping performance during the NVE summer festival vol 2 on November 11 2023.
ICEMAN D BONGO MAN describes Sierra Leone music industry as one which is replete with talents but, however, lacks promoters to propel Sierra Leone music to higher height as in the case with Ghana and Nigeria.
“If other seemingly well to do Sierra Leoneans could emulate the effort and courage exercised by Dr Jackson Blamo, the Chief Executive Officer of NVE in promoting Sierra Leone music, we would make a huge mark in the world of music,” he explains.
ICEMAN often reflects on his disappointment in his musical career but expresses optimism of reaching the zenith of music under the auspices of the NVE.
He went on to note that waking up every day and seeing his mother alive and healthy is the biggest joy in his life, and would like to repay his mother with the best things in life whenever he becomes successful with his musical career.
Additionally, he expresses optimism to follow in the footsteps of Dr Jackson Blamo, by way of helping the underprivileged to attain their dreams in life.
ICEMAN advises youths to refrain from substance abuse and other societal vices and work hard to achieve success in life.
As a producer, ICEMAN says he admires BURNA BOY because he sees a star and a raw talent in him, but he did not hide his love for local stars such as FAMOUS and MARKMUDAY and expresses a burning desire to collaborate with all his idols on a song.
