TAKEAWAYS

• Singer Joshua Baraka blasted Ugandan artists on TikTok Live, claiming many prioritize fame and viral trends over real musical talent.
• Baraka praised singers A Pass and Elijah Kitaka for actually caring about quality lyrics and studio effort instead of just chasing clout.

Singer Joshua Baraka has weighed in on the growing debate about the quality and authenticity of Uganda’s music industry, arguing that some artists are more interested in the benefits of making music than the art itself.

While appearing on a TikTok Live conversation with fellow singer A Pass, the Nana hitmaker suggested that many musicians approach music primarily as a means of gaining popularity, making money and creating viral moments rather than out of genuine passion for the craft.

According to Baraka, some artists are more concerned about what will trend, who they can feature on a song to attract attention and how quickly they can achieve success than the actual quality of the music they produce.

He, however, acknowledged that there is nothing necessarily wrong with wanting to make commercially successful music, but stressed that there is a difference between people who enjoy the benefits of being musicians and those who genuinely love music.

“I feel like you and Kitaka are people who love music, people who like it,” Baraka told A Pass, referring to Elijah Kitaka and the Wuuyo singer as examples of artists who appear genuinely invested in the craft.

He went on to praise their commitment to producing quality music, noting that he had watched them in the studio putting effort into creating meaningful lyrics, impressive production and songs that go beyond simply sounding cool.

“I’ve seen you in the studio trying to make things that make sense, trying to make things that are not just cool, but even the lyrics, the production, everything. You’re trying to do something that is the best when it comes to the music itself,” he added.

Baraka’s remarks come amid growing conversations about authenticity and artistic standards in Uganda’s entertainment industry.

Last week, singer Jackie Chandiru also sparked debate after claiming that Uganda has fewer than 10 real musicians, suggesting that the industry has many people who identify as artists but lack the dedication and passion associated with the craft.

The latest comments have once again raised questions about whether Uganda’s music industry is increasingly prioritising commercial success and viral popularity over musical creativity, originality and artistic excellence.