Who is Joshua Baraka?
Joshua Baraka is a Ugandan male music artiste. I make music; I write, produce, perform and I’m multi-instrumentalist. But besides that, I am a cool, down-to-earth dude.
How old are you?
I will be making 21 in December.
So young! How did you start doing music?
I have been doing music my whole life. My mother was a worship team leader in church and that is where I was introduced to music at a very young age. It was at the church that I got to learn how to play different instruments as well as how to sing.
Since you were groomed by the church, why didn’t you opt for gospel music?
I feel like there is so much to life that I can talk about that people go through, but not necessarily though gospel music. Gospel is just one part of life but through the kind of music that I do, I feel like I can easily sing about a variety of topics.
What was your parents’ reaction to you doing music?
Eehh, man! It was too crazy! Initially they were not fine with it but then when they saw that I was enjoying what I was doing and making some money from it, they let me do my music. They wanted me to be a doctor [laughs].
And what did you want to be, growing up?
I have always wanted to be a musician. But you know, you have to listen to your parents; so, in my A-level, I did Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) hoping that maybe I would become a scientist, but it wasn’t in me. I was forcing it and it didn’t end well.
Which schools did you go to?
I went to Kitante Primary School, O-level at Makerere College School and for A-level, Mengo SS. Since I had failed PCB, I went to a certain institute but things were not working out; so, I decided to drop out and concentrate on my music.
When the lockdown came, I had no plan; so, during that time, I decided to make some demos. I used to play piano gigs at events and that is where I met some people who appreciated my talent and offered to work with me.
How would you describe your music?
I am more of an RnB singer, but I can also do other genres. Whenever I am in studio, whatever I feel is what I do. I can also do dancehall – you know I am from Kawempe….[Quick Talk has no idea what the link between Kawempe and dancehall music is!]
How was life growing up in Kawempe?
It was very nice. We didn’t have fences; so, we were all just packed together. There were a lot of kids to play with. We would just play from morning to evening and I was a very stubborn kid. I am still kind of stubborn, but a little.
Your target audience seems to be more of the urban and upper-class….
Not really. My target audience is anyone who likes good music because I know people downtown who like my music. So, it is not like I target a particular audience.
Which musicians do you look up to?
There is Maurice Kirya, A Pass, Azawi, Sheebah, Juliana Kanyomozi…but my biggest inspiration was and still is the late Mowzey Radio – I did not get a chance to meet or work with him – and the late Elly Wamala.
What was your first professional gig?
It was actually last year when a prominent law firm in town hired me to perform at their symposium.
And what is the biggest stage you have graced, so far?
It has been the recent Blankets and Wine last month at Lugogo Cricket Oval. It was a huge crowd.
Didn’t you get stage fright?
Not really, because before it, I had performed so many times and also rehearsed a lot; so, I wasn’t really nervous. I was actually just excited.
Which instruments do you play?
I play the piano and guitar, although I play the piano the most. I was also learning drums and stopped, but will continue with them soon. I would also like to learn to play a saxophone or violin.
Do you write your own music?
Yeah, because I feel it is my story to tell and no one can say what I want to say better than me.
Quick Talk has seen you do covers; which artiste’s songs do you enjoy covering the most?
I do covers once in a while if the money is good, but I do enjoy covering Naava Grey and Maurice Kirya songs most. I maximally know like 20 songs and it is from those that I select from if I am to do a cover.
If you weren’t a singer………
Ohhhh! I would be nothing [running his hands over his face]. I haven’t found that extra thing I can do. Every other thing I have tried has failed. I tried being a doctor, an accountant, an engineer, software developer but none was coming through [wow, that’s a lot for a 20-year-old]. If I weren’t doing music, I would probably just be hustling because by the time I did music, I was sure that it was the only thing I could do.
How do you spend your free time?
I mostly just sleep. I think it is because most of my work happens during the night; so, when I get time, I squeeze in that extra sleep. I also like watching movies, documentaries and tutorials on YouTube and just being on social media.
Do you have a girlfriend?
Not yet. I have failed to find one. I even wrote a song about it with A Pass called Omu [sings acapella] I have been trying to find, but bigaanye. Kampala does not have a conducive environment for love to blossom, unless you have money.
But I thought being an artiste, girls always throw themselves at you…
Hehehe… that is true. But girls can want you yet you just want that one person for yourself, and I haven’t got her yet. For now, I am just chilling and making music but when I find her, you will know.
So, which kind of girl would attract your attention?
Of course she has to be beautiful and smart. Someone I can have meaningful conversations with, a good sense of humour and understanding of the kind of work I do.
Would Quick Talk be right to say that Sheila Gashumba is your biggest fan?
I don’t know, because she has never said so. But she has definitely supported me and she is one of the reasons I am here today. She has been one of those vital people in my journey who have helped me reach where I am and I am very thankful for her. She is an amazing person and I feel like people just don’t understand her.
What are you working on currently?
I have so many surprises. I am finishing up my next EP to be released later this year and working on my debut album to be released next year. I am also working on a few singles and collaborations with some big artistes which will be released separately. But I won’t spill the tea yet.
Quick Talk has seen recent clips of you and Azawi in studio…
[We are cooking] a lot of good stuff. We are working together. Azawi is an amazing artiste and very soon you shall be hearing some good stuff from us. [Fingers crossed on that one].
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