Joshua Baraka: From Bedroom Beats to Global Stages, Uganda’s New Voice of Soul
At just 24 years old, Ugandan singer and songwriter Joshua Baraka has already carved out a space for himself as one of the country’s most exciting new voices. Starting his music journey at 19 with nothing but a friend’s laptop and a pair of earphones, Baraka has quickly grown from a hopeful dreamer to a household name redefining Uganda’s sound.
With his soulful lyrics, genre-blending melodies, and authentic storytelling, he’s proving that talent, faith, and consistency can turn even the humblest beginnings into global recognition.
Baraka’s first-ever song, Tomorrow, was recorded in a friend’s home studio during the quiet and uncertain days of COVID-19. Though the production was simple, the message was powerful, a glimpse of the artist he would become.
“I was feeling low,” he recalls. “Everyone around me was, and I just wanted to make a song that encouraged people, to remind them that tomorrow will be a better day.”
That message of hope set the tone for his artistry, music that uplifts, heals, and connects. In just five years, the singer has evolved from homemade recordings to touring internationally and performing for massive crowds, including his surreal experience at Blankets and Wine in Nairobi. “Fifteen thousand people singing my music, it was unbelievable,” he said with a smile.
Joshua’s growth has been nothing short of phenomenal, he’s toured internationally, shared stages with his musical heroes, and continues to evolve his sound with every release. When asked what drives him, Baraka didn’t hesitate: “The grace of God and my love for music. It wakes me up every day. I’m inspired by the music itself, my friends, my family, and my team.” His faith and humility ground his success, but his ambition keeps pushing him forward.
Influenced by icons like Bob Marley, Radio & Weasel, and Mauria, Joshua’s music carries a mix of depth and warmth that resonates far beyond Uganda. “When you listen to my songs, you can hear different elements from artists who’ve inspired me,” he shares. His blend of African rhythms, soul, and R&B has made him part of a new wave of Ugandan artists pushing the country’s sound onto the global stage.
As part of a new wave of Ugandan artists taking the global stage, Joshua sees a shift happening back home.
“Our sound is changing. Artists are making music that crosses borders. People are listening everywhere, and that’s beautiful to see,” he shared.
His recent single, Dive In, released on Uganda’s Independence Day, is a tender exploration of love and vulnerability. “It’s a song about being scared to fall in love,” Joshua explains, “but being so deep in it that you’re ready to dive in anyway.” The song serves as a taste of his upcoming project Juvie, set to drop on November 29th, following the success of Wrong Places , a fan favorite produced by JAE5 that has garnered international acclaim.
Speaking away from music, he revealed that he is an extrovert as opposed to been an introvert that most people assume.
“I know I give off introvert energy, but I’m actually a, a big extrovert. But I’m tired all the time. But when I actually have the energy, I talk, I talk a lot, and I’m always outside ”
Through his music, Joshua Baraka aims to connect, heal, and inspire. “I want to be part of people’s lives through my music,” he says. “To help them dance, cry, love, or face what they’ve been avoiding. Just like the artists who touched my life, I want to do the same for others.”
As he prepares to release Juvie and step into the next chapter of his journey, one thing is certain, Joshua Baraka isn’t just Uganda’s next big thing; he’s proof that the future of African music is already here, and it’s filled with heart, honesty, and hope.
