Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka has shared the story behind what he calls one of the most memorable experiences of his music career after an unexpected meeting with internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Diplo turned into a whirlwind day in Kampala.
Speaking during a recent interview, Baraka said the encounter began with an unlikely twist when Diplo unexpectedly found himself in Uganda during the Coachella season.
Baraka said the American producer had reached out to him through Instagram, but the message initially went unnoticed. It was only after Nigerian music executive Mr. Eazi contacted him that he realised Diplo was in Kampala and wanted to meet.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” Baraka recalled, saying the opportunity seemed too extraordinary to be real.
Determined to make the most of the visit, Baraka teamed up with DJ Spinny to organise an impromptu experience before Diplo’s scheduled flight back to the United States, where he was due to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival later that day.
According to Baraka, Diplo wanted to film a DJ set while soaking in Kampala’s atmosphere. DJ Spinny coordinated the logistics, including transport, lighting and the venue, while introducing the Grammy-winning producer to the energy of the city’s downtown streets.
The performance exceeded Baraka’s expectations and remains one of the defining moments of his career.
“I couldn’t believe I was part of it. It was one of the best days of my life,” he said.
Baraka also praised Diplo’s willingness to embrace unexpected experiences, describing the producer as someone who enjoys spontaneous adventures instead of sticking to carefully planned schedules.
He said the encounter reminded him that some of life’s most rewarding moments come from being open to opportunities that arise without warning.
Once the performance concluded, the team rushed Diplo to the airport to ensure he caught his flight in time for his appearance at Coachella, bringing an extraordinary day in Kampala to an equally dramatic close.
