Joshua Baraka is a 24-year-old Ugandan singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has rapidly emerged as one of East Africa’s most promising musical talents. Born on December 13, 2000, in Kawempe, Kampala, to a Kenyan father and Ugandan mother, Baraka was raised in Bwaise, a neighborhood he describes as “the ghetto,” where music became his refuge from the challenges of his environment .
Baraka released his debut EP, Baby Steps, in 2021, featuring tracks like “Tewekweka” and “Belinda,” which garnered critical acclaim in Uganda . His 2023 single “Nana” became a viral hit across Africa, leading to a remix featuring Joeboy, King Promise, and Bien. The song’s success propelled him to international recognition, with over 5 million streams and inclusion in Spotify’s RADAR Africa program .
Following “Nana,” Baraka released the EP Growing Pains in 2023, which he later expanded into a deluxe edition in 2024, adding new tracks and collaborations with artists like Nkosazana Daughter . In December 2024, he released the mixtape Recess, serving as an interlude before his anticipated debut album .
