TAKEAWAYS

• Joshua Baraka clapped back at King Saha after the elder star questioned his dreams of hitting the global music scene.
• Saha previously claimed Nigerian icons Burna Boy and Wizkid lost their edge by trying to go international too soon.
• Baraka told interviewer A Pass that he aims to be a shark in the ocean rather than a big fish in a tiny local pond.

Musician Joshua Baraka has responded to fellow artist King Saha following his recent remarks questioning his ambitions of breaking into the international music scene.

King Saha sparked debate after appearing in a TikTok live interview, where he took aim at Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Wizkid, claiming they had fallen off after attempting to go international prematurely.

According to Saha, the two Nigerian superstars had lost their musical relevance and are struggling to maintain the success they once enjoyed. He further suggested that some Ugandan musicians were making the same mistake by chasing international recognition before establishing themselves locally.

Although he did not mention names, Saha appeared to be referring to Baraka, suggesting that people surrounding the singer are busy hyping him instead of telling him the truth about his ambitions.

However, Baraka has now fired back, describing it as unfortunate that some established musicians, whom upcoming artists should be looking up to for inspiration, are instead discouraging and tearing them down.

Speaking during a TikTok live interview hosted by fellow musician A Pass, Baraka suggested that some people’s thinking and ambitions were limited, adding that his own targets went far beyond the local music competition.

He made his position clear with a striking comparison, saying his ambition was not to become a big fish in a small pond but rather to be a shark in the ocean.

In essence, Baraka believes his aspirations extend beyond competing for local dominance. He wants to build a name on a much bigger stage rather than settle for being celebrated within a limited space.

The singer has continued to attract attention since breaking onto the Ugandan music scene, with his growing ambitions placing him among the country’s artists looking to take Ugandan music beyond its borders.