{{short description|Ugandan singer (born 2004)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Joshua Baraka | birth_date = {{bda|2000|12|13}} | birth_place = Kawempe | origin = Kampala, Uganda | genre = Afro-beat | occupation = Musician, songwriter | instrument = vocal | years_active = 2021 | partner = Etania Mutoni (2022–present)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gloria |date=2024-09-23 |title=Joshua Baraka discusses his relationship with Etania Mutoni, defends their 2-year age difference |url=https://exclusive.co.ug/joshua-baraka-defends-age-gap-with-etania-mutoni/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Exclusive Bizz |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Benjie |date=2024-09-24 |title=Joshua Baraka defends relationship with Etania Mutoni, dismisses age gap concerns |url=http://mbu.ug/2024/09/24/joshua-baraka-etania-mutoni-age-difference/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gloria |date=2025-04-19 |title=Joshua Baraka marks upcoming anniversary with sweet surprise for Etania |url=https://exclusive.co.ug/joshua-baraka-etania-3rd-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Exclusive Bizz |language=en-US}}</ref> }}
'''Joshua Baraka''' (born 13 December 2000, in Kawempe)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> is a Ugandan recording artist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruby |first=Josh |date=2023-12-22 |title=The story of Joshua Baraka: How he overcame adversity to find his voice |url=http://mbu.ug/2023/12/22/joshua-baraka-musical-career/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref> and music producer. He gained recognition with his single "Nana" in 2023 and hits like "Wrong Places"which he released in 2025<ref>{{cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=PAM Meets Joshua Baraka |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/pam-meets-joshua-baraka/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=PAM}}</ref> He has released more than ten albums, including ''Baby Steps, Belinda'' and ''Sana''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waswa |first=Samson |date=2024-05-17 |title=How A'Level setback drove Joshua Baraka into music |url=https://www.pulse.ug/entertainment/how-alevel-setback-drove-joshua-baraka-into-music/106zyb1 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pulse Uganda |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-09 |title=Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka Joins Spotify's RADAR Africa as it Redefines Music Scene |url=https://softpower.ug/ugandan-artist-joshua-baraka-joins-spotifys-radar-africa-as-it-redefines-music-scene/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=SoftPower News |language=en-US}}</ref>
He grew up with music at home because his mother was a choir member. He moved through the tough Bwaise slum and later became a well-known musician in Uganda.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joshua Baraka’s rise from Bwaise slum to stardom |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ug/podcast/joshua-barakas-rise-from-bwaise-slum-to-stardom/id1537095765?i=1000644332637 |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Baraka was born on 13 December 2000, in Kawempe, Kampala district<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Joshua Baraka Biography, Profile, Facts, Life Story, About Joshua Baraka |url=https://pearltunes.com/JoshuaBaraka/biography |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=PearlTunes |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Editor |first1=Flash Uganda |last2=Uganda |first2=Flash |date=2023-06-28 |title=Joshua Baraka: Biography, Age, Family and wife |url=https://flashugnews.com/joshua-baraka-biography-family-education-career-and-achievements/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Flash Uganda Media |language=English}}</ref> to a Kenyan father and Ugandan mother.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |title=Uganda: Joshua Baraka shares Growing Pains EP |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/uganda-joshua-baraka-shares-growing-pains-ep |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref> He began his primary education at various schools before completing it at Kitante Primary School. He attended Makerere College School for his O-level education and later pursued his A-level education at Mengo Senior School.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-22 |title=Rising Star Joshua Baraka Opens Up; Music, Studies, Family and More |url=https://pulse.mtn.co.ug/pulse-feature-rising-star-joshua-baraka-opens-up-music-studies-family-and-more/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=MTN Pulse |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byamukama |first=Fred |date=2025-04-17 |title=Doctor Joshua Baraka? Breakout Star had Dreams of Studying... |url=https://sanyufm.com/doctor-joshua-baraka-breakout-star-had-dreams-of-studying-medicine-before-dropping-out/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Sanyu FM 88.2 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jjingo |first=Ernest |date=2022-09-01 |title=Joshua Baraka is music's next big thing |url=https://observer.ug/lifestyle-entertainment/joshua-baraka-is-music-s-next-big-thing/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=The Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == Baraka is a Ugandan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Partners |url=https://wspartners.bbc.com/episode/w3ct5y4y?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=wspartners.bbc.com}}</ref> His music incorporates elements of Afrobeat, R&B, dancehall, and Amapiano.<ref name="pulse">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-22 |title=Rising Star Joshua Baraka Opens Up; Music, Studies, Family and More |url=https://pulse.mtn.co.ug/pulse-feature-rising-star-joshua-baraka-opens-up-music-studies-family-and-more/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=MTN Pulse |language=en-US}}</ref>
Baraka's interest in music developed at an early age, influenced by his mother, who was a worship leader. He learned to play instruments such as the piano and guitar. In August 2021, he released his debut EP, ''Baby Steps'', a four-track project that included the single "Be Me."<ref name="pulse"/>
In 2023, Baraka released the single "Nana," which gained attention and appeared on music charts in Uganda and other East African countries. Following the success of the song, he released the EP ''Growing Pains'', which included collaborations with Nigerian artist Magixx and Ghanaian rapper Yaw Tog.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joshua Baraka |url=https://nataal.com/joshua-baraka?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=nataal.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, Baraka expanded ''Growing Pains'' into a deluxe edition, adding new tracks. One of the additions was "Alone," an Amapiano-influenced song featuring South African vocalist Nkosazana Daughter.
Baraka was selected as a Spotify RADAR Africa artist, a program aimed at promoting emerging African musicians. He announced plans to release a full-length studio album in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joshua Baraka Talks 'Lonely,' His Rise as Uganda's Biggest Musical Export, and Future Plans |url=https://www.sickavision.co.uk/music/sicka-vision-interviews-joshua-baraka?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=SICKA VISION |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Muki |date=Sep 23, 2025 |title=Ugandan Star Joshua Baraka Set to Release Second Studio Album in 2025 |url=https://famewatch.ug/Ugandan-Star-Joshua-Baraka-Set-to-Release-Second-Studio-Album-in-2025 |access-date=Sep 23, 2025 |website=Fame Watch}}</ref>
Baraka was presented by Talent Africa Group for his inaugural concert. Titled "INTO THE BRAKA LAND," the event was scheduled for November 29, 2025, at the Ndeere Cultural Center in Kampala.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JOSHUA BARAKA ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER CONCERT: INTO THE BRAKA LAND – Talent Africa Group |url=https://talentafricagroup.com/blog/joshua-baraka-announces-first-ever-concert-into-the-braka-land%ef%bf%bc/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
* ''Baby Steps'' (2021) * ''Growing Pains (Deluxe)'' (2024) * ''Recess'' (2024) * ''Juvie'' (2025)
=== EPs ===
* ''Growing Pains (Live)'' (2024) * ''Growing Pains'' (2023)
=== Singles ===
* "Nana" (2023) * "Dalilah" featuring Axon (2023) * "Dalilah II" featuring Axon (2024) * "Lonely" (2024) * "Touch Me" (2024) * "Digii IV" (2024) * "Falling in Love" (2024) * "Wrong Places" (2025)
=== Featured appearances === * "Nayomi" – Mun*G (2024) * "Touch Me" – Krizbeatz and FAVE (2024) * "Fire" - Smallgod and Sarkodie
== References == {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Baraka, Joshua}} Category:Living people Category:2001 births Category:Ugandan singers Category:21st-century Ugandan male singers Category:20th-century Ugandan male singers Category:Afrobeats musicians