Ugandan singer-songwriter Joshua Baraka has released his new single “YOYO” today, a vibrant love song that captures the excitement, uncertainty and chemistry of taking a complicated romance to the next level.
“YOYO” explores the familiar experience of being caught in a situationship, that space where two people clearly have feelings for each other but have yet to define what they are. Rather than staying in limbo, Joshua sings about finally taking the bold step towards turning that connection into a genuine relationship.
Adding to the song’s appeal is its celebration of love across languages and cultures. The track blends English, French, Luganda and Lingala, giving the track a distinctly East African yet globally accessible feel while reflecting Joshua’s increasingly diverse musical identity.
The release marks Joshua Baraka’s second single of 2026, following his earlier release this year, and offers another glimpse into the sound and direction of his upcoming project.
Joshua wrote and produced the song himself, with extra production from Hendrix Sam, bringing together their creative strengths to shape the track’s sound.
The song is also part of a bigger story, the single will feature on Joshua Baraka’s forthcoming EP, Recess 2, which is expected to further showcase his songwriting, musical versatility and ability to tell intimate stories through contemporary African pop.
With its multilingual lyrics, romantic theme and infectious energy, “YOYO” arrives as a celebration of choosing love, taking chances and finally asking the question, what if we stop calling this a situationship and make it something real?
As part of his plans to connect with fans across the country, Joshua Baraka will embark on a Ugandan tour in the coming weeks, kicking off this week in Northern Uganda before taking his music to West Nile, Eastern Uganda and Western Uganda. The tour will give fans outside Kampala an opportunity to experience Joshua’s music catalogue while bringing his new release “YOYO” closer to audiences across the country ahead of the release of his forthcoming Recess 2 EP.
