Joshua Baraka, a Ugandan artiste and songwriter, has emerged as one of the most promising talents in East Africa. Born and raised in Bwaise, Kampala, Joshua’s musical journey began at a very young age. His passion for music was ignited at just six years old after which he joined a friend’s music group. He honed his skills by learning to play drums in church and later expanded his knowledge of music in school.

For Joshua, music was more than a passion—it was a distraction from the potential pitfalls of his environment, steering him away from negative influences. As a teenager, he earned a living by playing the piano in restaurants and bars, bu ilding his craft while exploring genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, R n B, and more.

At the age of 19, Joshua released his debut EP, Baby Steps, marking the beginning of a professional journey that would soon propel him into the spotlight. A year later, he gained widespread recognition with the release of his breakout single, “Belinda”, followed by another hit, “Nana”. These songs solidified his place as a chart-topping artiste in Uganda's music scene. Joshua’s talent has also led to collaborations with artistes across the continent, including Joeboy, Simi, Deejay Neptune, King Promise, and Bien. His music stands out for its infusion of his local language, showcasing his Ugandan roots while blending seamlessly with contemporary African sounds.

In this interview, Joshua Baraka opens up about his musical journey, creative process, and love for incorporating his culture into his art. He also gives us a glimpse into his recently released EP, Recess, a soulful and boundary-pushing music project.

TTC: Hello, can you start by introducing yourself and sharing how you ventured into music?

JOSHUA BARAKA: My name is Joshua Baraka. I’m a Ugandan musical artiste. I started music in church, playing the keyboard, and singing once in a while. I then ventured into music production and started making some songs of my own.

TTC: How would you describe your style of music, and which other artistes have been significant sources of inspiration for you?

JOSHUA BARAKA: My music is a reflection of myself, my stories, and those of the people around me. I’d therefore describe my music as a representation of life through my lens. I've been inspired by different artistes like Chronixx, Bob Marley, Mowzey Radio, and many more.

TTC: Your debut EP,  Baby Steps. Can you tell us about the meaning behind the title and the creative process of putting the project together?

JOSHUA BARAKA: It was my first project and in a sense was a baby taking their first steps in the industry. I produced and wrote all of it in a makeshift studio with faith in my heart that it would introduce me to the world.

TTC: You started music at a very young age. In what ways has this shaped or contributed to the success of your music career?

JOSHUA BARAKA: I’ve learnt about my art because of this and was able to cultivate different areas of music from playing instruments, production, writing, and so many other areas.

TTC: “Belinda” and “Nana_”_ were pivotal singles in your career. What makes these songs special to you, and what was the inspiration behind them?

JOSHUA BARAKA: “Belinda” is a song about seeing someone you love change and you still want to be there for them regardless. “Nana” is a song about a sneaky link. Both of these are songs that really got me a lot of attention and helped me have a solid footing in the industry.

TTC: You’ve just released a new Mixtape. Can you share the title and the central theme of this upcoming project?

JOSHUA BARAKA: This is a mixtape called Recess. It's a sort of interlude before the album. It’s to set the pace for the album and all the songs have no real central theme but are all sonically in sync. I'll like to call it a snack as the album which is the main course comes in.

TTC: Reflecting on your journey so far, what would you say are the most significant achievements in your music career?

JOSHUA BARAKA: I’ve got a chance to travel the world, meet a lot of fellow artistes that I’ve looked up to, gain mentorship from them, and grow as a person plus artiste.

TTC:  Are there any upcoming projects or tours you’d like to share with us?

JOSHUA BARAKA: Yes, I have an album on the way. It’s going to be a special one and it’s my debut album.