Kenya’s own Joshua Baraka, a swiftly rising star and Spotify RADAR Africa artist, is capturing international attention with the release of his new single, Lonely, alongside an intimate documentary detailing his journey and artistic growth.
This latest release marks a major chapter in Baraka’s career, as he prepares to steps onto the global stage with his heartfelt sound and compelling storytelling.
The documentary delves into Joshua’s world, offering fans an exclusive look at his life in Kampala, his family, and his creative process. The film illustrates the driving forces behind his art with scenes from his early training days in a boxing gym that taught him discipline to behind-the-scenes glimpses of his music-making.
Joshua reflects on his Spotify RADAR Africa experience, saying; “I’m really thankful to be part of the RADAR programme this year. It’s been an opportunity for me to showcase my art and show people a bit of my world. It feels good to be recognised by a programme that has birthed a lot of the artists I look up to. I hope this opens doors for other Ugandan artists like me.”
Baraka’s journey has already seen impressive milestones. His debut EP, ”Growing Pains”, featured collaborations with industry heavyweights such as Bien, King Promise, and Joeboy. His breakout hit NANA has achieved over five million streams and earned him fans across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, the UK, and the US, with his music now on more than 240,000 playlists globally.
With his latest track, ”Lonely”, Baraka is ushering in a fresh era, showcasing his signature sound that continues to resonate across East Africa and beyond. His audience, primarily composed of young adults, is made up of 32% in the 23-27 age range, 25% within Gen Z (18-24), and 24% aged 28-34, with a slightly male-dominated following of 60% male and 37% female listeners over the past month.
Joshua Baraka’s story is one of passion, discipline, and unfiltered artistry, making him one of East Africa’s most promising artists to watch. With the RADAR spotlight now on him, Joshua is set to connect with audiences across continents, paving the way for the next generation of Pan-African stars.
Watch the video below;
