Joseph Kiberu a.k.a Baby Joe, a Helsinki based singer and songwriter was born in Kisaasi (Ntinda) a small suburb of Kampala city the capital of Uganda, to Stephen Peter Kiyaga and Peninnah Namakula Kiyaga. Unfortunately tragedy struck when he was just only 8 years young that both his parents passed away. “I never deeply got to know my parents and receive that parental love that most children get,” he laments……. “At the age of only five years I was already in boarding school (Namilyango Junior Boys school) and spent more time at school than home, as you would imagine the boarding school arrangement. My father was a very hard working, kind, loving, humorous, humble, religious and was successful in more ways than one. He always instilled in us the values of respect, obedience, love, dedication and hard work. Despite his life successes, he always strived to teach us how to appreciate and embrace small things in life and not to take anything for granted. Consequently at a very early age I embraced such ideals and learnt to value the essence of life”.
“It must be my mother’s bug that bit me and bestowed me with my music talent. I started my music adventure at the age of 13 while newly enrolled in secondary school (Namilyango college). Being a first time performer instantaneously the crowd was drawn and magnetized towards me and from then on, the rest is history”. Baby Joe is a natural and charismatic performer, and an infectious entertainer and whenever he performs he brings the house down. Whilst being charming, easy-going and humble, Baby Joe has amalgamated his persona and his affection for humanity by attaining a Bachelors Degree in Social work. “ Growing up as a child my parents always preached 'education', as the key to success. So I decided to live up to their expectation by going through the strenuous education process and acquiring a university degree as a tribute to them. Little did I know that what I decided to study, exactly fit my personality and music ambitions and would give me a clear direction of what I wanted to do and meaning in life”.
“My lone grand ambition is to make a difference in my nearest neighbour’s life however small an impact it might have. I owe it to myself, to be the voice for the voiceless and compelled to make an effort towards transforming the lives of the underprivileged. I am convinced that an integration of music, love and affection is the best way to fabricate heaven on earth and save humanity”. Like the most famous writer in history put it…….
“If music be the food of love, play on.” William Shakespeare.
A singing virtuoso in his own right he has built up an impressive resume and has established a steadily growing fan base, with many more accomplishments in store for him. “In Finland where I have lived for approximately 6 years now, I have performed at various high profile concerts, events and festivals”. When asked how he would describe his own musical style, he says, “I sing Afropean (African European) music. My music is sandwiched between a biscuit of Afro beat, reggae and contemporary European style”.
A natural songwriter and composer, he blends his creative abilities with his music to form a style that is unique and truly refreshing. "It’s just like peanut butter that comes crunchy and smooth, my music is from the heart and reflective of my personal life experiences. While growing up I was influenced in no small way by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Micheal Jackson, New Edition, UB40, Keith Sweat, Jodeci, R. Kelly to mention but a few”.
Already as a young man, at the age of 18 he took his love of music an extra mile. Together with his childhood friend Donald Mugisha (now of DEDDAC and YESTHATSUS) they establish a record store they named ‘One Drop Music Bar’. “ For me this was a big step towards testing the waters of the Ugandan entertainment industry”. Opened in 1998 during their senior six vacation Donald and Baby Joe run this fabulous joint for approximately 3 years, until the later went on for further education ambitions abroad. Located in Ntinda shoping center along Ntinda-Bukoto road opposite the Caltex petrol station, a passes-by wouldn’t help but notice this extremely decorated small place as though mimicing Angenior discothèque. Something unique about this place was that there was always a crowd of sophisticated young people socialising, drinking and listening to the loud music that always caught a passers-by’s ear. One Drop Music Bar was a place that used to double as a record store and was turned into some sort of discotheque during the night, with its veranda that almost stretched up to the main road serving as the dancing floor. One is compelled to ask how two teenagers ran such a famous place in Kampala’s entertainment capital, Ntinda? “There is nowhere you can go that you haven’t learnt to go in time,” Baby Joe articulately answers.
Can one already put up an argument that, since Donald Mugisha has set his mark on the Ugandan film and musc video industry as the best videographer and one of the most influencial personalities in the industry, so is Baby Joe destined to do the same in the music industry. Now, with his first album finally about to be released - an undeniably catchy collection of Afro beat songs and a self-contained romantic song cycle in their own right, only time will live to tell. The album is a personal journey for him, using his own experiences on most of the songs and working with renown London based producer, Joseph Kitaka a.k.a J. Platinum was a match made in heaven.
Testing his first two singles 'Obuswandi' and 'Onkokonya' off the album, if this is the sound that he is going to give us, he definitely is set to give Ugandan artists a run for their money. With a warm and gentle aura romantic style, his style is blended with well-calculated beats that would not only get someone dancing or snapping their fingers but also in the mood to make love. With his video directed and produced by Donald Mugisha, it is just like finishing a chocolate wedding cake with cream and icing. “ We have reunited again in something we both have a passion for after taking separate routes in life and for sure it’s our time to take centre stage again ”.
Alongside being compassionate about others, Baby Joe is a man who always has his finger on the Pulse, a distinguished sense of style, is well read and a thinker by nature.
With this being his debut album, one can only wonder what the Ugandan and African music landscape will be like by the time this upstart musician ripens even more...
