Joshua Baraka, a rising Ugandan music talent, arrived in Kigali on Friday, August 15, 2025, ahead of his headlining performance at Kigali Universe on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Baraka lit up the stage alongside Rwanda’s top artists, including DJ Pius—celebrating his 15-year music career—Alyn Sano, Ruti Joel, Mike Kayihura, DJ Marnaud, Jules Sentore, and other prominent entertainers.
While this marked Baraka’s second performance in Kigali, his first trip was more about promoting his music. Reflecting humorously on his journey, Baraka shared that he traveled by bus during his first visit, but has now upgraded to flights—showing the significant strides in his career.
Meeting Rwandan Artists for Collaboration
Landing at Kigali International Airport in Kanombe, Baraka revealed his plans extended beyond live performances. The visit included vital discussions with Rwandan artists such as Bruce Melodie, Element, and Mike Kayihura, all geared toward future collaborations.
When asked by the media whether these discussions were casual or aimed at co-producing music, Baraka confirmed collaborative projects were central to these talks.
On Friday, August 15, 2025, Baraka met Bruce Melodie for preliminary discussions. While they didn’t record music immediately, the artists officially collaborated on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Joshua Tuyitakire, the media officer for 1:55 AM Music, told InyaRwanda, “They initially met on Friday when Baraka landed but couldn’t achieve much as he was fatigued. However, on Sunday, August 17, the duo conversed at length and successfully recorded a song together.”
The Story Behind “Nana” and Baraka’s Rise to Fame
Baraka’s hit single “Nana”, released shortly after his 22nd birthday, dominated music charts in Uganda and Kenya. This catapulted the young artist to international fame, securing him a deal with the UK-based music production house Moves Recordings, known for Afrobeats hits. A remix of the track featured collaborations with stars like Joeboy (Nigeria), King Promise (Ghana), and Bien (Kenya).
Born in Bwaise, a Kampala ghetto teeming with life and culture despite hardships, Baraka’s musical talent allowed him to make groundbreaking moves. His journey saw him take his first-ever flight, paving the way for performances in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK.
Early Musical Aspirations
Baraka’s love for music blossomed at just six years old. Reflecting on his early days, he shared, “The first song I ever wrote was dedicated to my mom, but I never performed it for her. My dad being a pastor gave me access to instruments like drums at church. At 12, music lessons in school ignited my passion—I wanted to learn everything.”
Although Baraka once studied to become a doctor, his unwavering passion for music redirected him to pursue it professionally at 19. He began by playing piano in bars and restaurants, blending diverse genres such as West African Afrobeats, Jamaican Dancehall, and international RnB.
His journey further accelerated with the release of his debut EP “Baby Steps” in 2021, followed by the 2022 hit “Belinda”, a romantic tale of a girl’s rise to fame through social media.
Reaching New Heights
Since releasing “Nana”, Baraka has consistently scaled new heights in his music career. He remarked, “I hoped ‘Nana’ would be successful, but the impact surpassed anything I envisioned. The moment neighborhood kids sang it, I realized its reach and power. Meeting icons like Ghetts and Bien, whom I once considered unattainable, taught me that they’re just like me—human.”
When discussing his creative process, Baraka emphasized the importance of lyrics in shaping a song. “Melody alone makes a song memorable, but lyrics give it purpose. That’s why I enjoy reading—even humorous topics like body shapes inspire me to craft vivid imagery,” he explained.
Continuing to Rise: Future Goals
Baraka, set to release another EP this December, expressed his commitment to music excellence. He stated, “I’ll keep doing what I love—singing, writing, producing music. Everything else will naturally follow. Next year, I plan to leave an indelible mark on the music scene.”
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Make sure to explore Baraka’s remarkable journey through song and collaboration and stay tuned for the upcoming EP that promises to redefine his success further.