Joshua Baraka Maps His Journey to Manhood on JAE5-Executed Debut Album ‘Juvie’

Ugandan breakout star Joshua Baraka delivers a profound and expansive debut album with ‘Juvie,’ a project that chronicles his journey from Kampala’s Bwaise slum to young adulthood. Executive produced by JAE5, the album pairs rolling percussion and thinned-out reverbs with Baraka’s candid, soulful vocals as he grapples with fame, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

From the gospel-inflected opener “One of One” to the introspective “Wrong Places,” Baraka navigates knotty emotions with a rare sensitivity, offering a resonant narrative of hope, desire, and personal growth. ‘Juvie’ solidifies his place as a leading voice for a new generation of East African storytellers.

Listen below.