Joshua Baraka, one of Uganda’s fastest-rising musical exports, has announced his first headlining concert, set for November 29, 2025, at the Ndere Cultural Center in Kampala.
The 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist is teaming up with Talent Africa Group to stage what he has called “Into The Braka Land,” a live show that marks a new phase in his career.
Baraka, who was born in Kampala’s Kawempe Division and grew up in the nearby Bwaise neighborhood, has steadily built a reputation for blending Afrobeat, R&B, dancehall, and the South African genre Amapiano. His music — often soulful, sometimes playful — has resonated far beyond Uganda.
His breakout single, “Nana,” went viral in 2023 and was later remixed with leading African acts Joeboy, King Promise, and Bien. A year later, Spotify named him to its RADAR Africa program, which spotlights emerging artists on the continent with global potential.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview, Baraka described his approach as deliberate but grounded. “I’m not one to anticipate what’s going to happen; I just do what I have to do that day,” he said. “I’ll keep doing my best, putting out music, performing, producing, and doing what I love, then seeing where it goes from there.”
He added: “I’ve got my foot in the industry, and I’m going to come through. By the time I take my foot out, it will have left an imprint on this world.”
For Aly Allibhai, chief executive of Talent Africa Group, the concert is not just a personal milestone for Baraka but a landmark for Uganda’s contemporary music scene.
“We are incredibly excited to announce Joshua Baraka’s first-ever concert,” Allibhai said. “Joshua’s unique sound and artistic vision have captivated audiences both locally and internationally, and we believe this concert will showcase his immense talent and creativity.”
The setlist is expected to feature a string of crowd favorites, from “Wrong Places,” his most recent single, to collaborations like “No Bad Vibes” with Ghanaian artist Gyakie. Fans can also expect earlier hits including “Someday,” “Recess,” “Lonely,” and “Touch Me.”
Baraka’s backstory is as layered as his music. Born to a Kenyan father and Rwandan mother, he identifies strongly as Ugandan. He started out as a church drummer, then taught himself piano in bars and restaurants before experimenting with production. His early gospel, R&B, and soul influences remain audible even as he leans into Afrobeat and Amapiano rhythms.
Since his debut EP Baby Steps in 2021, Baraka has steadily grown his catalog. In 2024, he released Recess — a mixtape that showcased his versatility — along with the deluxe version of his album Growing Pains. His collaborations span from Nigerian singer FAVE to Ugandan veteran Bebe Cool and British rapper Ghetts, a sign of his increasingly borderless reach.
For Baraka, November’s concert represents a chance to bring that global sound home.
