Joshua Baraka on Ghana, Juve, and the business of music

Ugandan star Joshua Baraka joined the BlacVolta Podcast during his trip to Ghana, where he spoke about his journey, the creative process behind his new album Juvee, and the project’s growing global impact.

The conversation went beyond music, touching on the realities of record labels, artist contracts, and ownership in today’s industry. In the wake of the ongoing lawsuit involving one of Ghana’s biggest artists, Kwesi Arthur, Baraka shared thoughtful insights on why artists must be more informed and intentional about the deals they sign.

A candid, timely conversation at the intersection of creativity, business, and the future of African music.

On this episode of The Bout, we put luxury brands face-to-face with the creative economy. On one side: Moët & Chandon and Diageo. On the other: the creatives shaping culture across Africa.

Joining the conversation were Kojo Sobo, Executive Director of EMI Africa, and Bliss King, celebrity host and creative. Together, they unpacked how brands can invest more intentionally into creatives—and how creatives must position themselves to attract long-term, meaningful partnerships.

The conversation explored value creation, ownership, and what sustainable collaboration between luxury brands and creatives should really look like in today’s African creative economy.

This conversation took place at Entertainment Weekender 2025.

At Entertainment Week Ghana, four of the most brilliant minds shaping the creative ecosystem came together for a powerful panel on what it will take to scale Ghana’s creative industries: Abdul Abdullah (CEO, AfroFuture), Ibrahim Mahama (Ghanaian contemporary, award-winning artist), Lady Dentaa MBE (President, GUBA Network), and Rex Omar (Presidential Staffer, Black Star Experience), alongside Jewel Thompson (Lecturer, Entrepreneurship — Ashesi University).

In this episode, the panel breaks down the real building blocks—infrastructure, funding, policy, global positioning, and collaboration—and what creators, brands, and institutions must do to turn creativity into sustainable jobs, exportable IP, and long-term wealth for Ghana.

Tap in for insights, practical perspectives, and a clear blueprint for scaling culture into an economy.

Entertainment Week Ghana, some of the sharpest minds in music, fashion, and branding came together to unpack one critical question: how do creatives build brands that scale globally?

In this episode, global superstar Amaarae shares powerful insights on building a distinct brand identity, staying culturally rooted, and navigating the transition from local success to international relevance. She breaks down what it truly means to think global from day one—and why brand clarity matters more than virality.

Joining the conversation is fashion designer Nuel Bans, who explores how creatives can translate artistry into sustainable fashion businesses, and brand specialist Keni Ribeiro, who offers practical frameworks on positioning, longevity, and scaling within the creator economy.

Whether you’re a musician, designer, content creator, or entrepreneur, this episode is a masterclass on brand building, global thinking, and turning creativity into a scalable business—straight from the Entertainment Week Ghana stage.

In this episode, we sit down with celebrity actor Mawuli Gavor as he shares his inspiring journey from the corporate world to Nollywood. Starting out as a banker and finance professional at KPMG, Mawuli made a bold career transition into acting, where he has risen to become one of the biggest and most respected actors in Africa. He opens up about his early career in finance, the challenges of switching industries, and the defining moments that shaped his success in Nollywood and the African film industry.

Whether you’re passionate about acting, African cinema, or making bold career moves, this conversation is filled with valuable insights, personal stories, and inspiration for anyone looking to follow their dreams.

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In this episode, we sit down with celebrity actor Mawuli Gavor as he shares his inspiring journey from the corporate world to Nollywood. Starting out as a banker and finance professional at KPMG, Mawuli made a bold career transition into acting, where he has risen to become one of the biggest and most respected actors in Africa. He opens up about his early career in finance, the challenges of switching industries, and the defining moments that shaped his success in Nollywood and the African film industry.

Whether you’re passionate about acting, African cinema, or making bold career moves, this conversation is filled with valuable insights, personal stories, and inspiration for anyone looking to follow their dreams.

From growing up in a poor home and facing classism in high school at Achimota, to becoming Ghana’s biggest social media influencer — earning over GHS 600,000 in under a minute from multiple campaigns — Dulcie Boateng has defied the odds.

We sat down with her on the Blacvolta Podcast as she takes us through the raw and inspiring journey of her life and career.

You’re going to enjoy this episode.

On this episode, we speak to Desmond Blackmore, popularly known as D-Black — a powerhouse in Ghana’s entertainment scene for over 16 years.

From nightlife and entrepreneurship to the music business, D-Black breaks down the real business of entertainment and shares valuable insights from his remarkable journey so far.

In this episode, we sit down with Cina Soul to talk about her newly released album, Did I Lie, which features amazing collaborations with Stonebwoy and Sarkodie. She also shares her love for perfumes—especially Christian Dior—reveals a surprising skill (yes, she can do a backflip!), and addresses her relationship status, including the rumors surrounding her and KiDi.

On this episode, we flew to Los Angeles for the 2025 Grammys, where African artists took center stage. The night featured incredible talents like Tems, Yemi Alade, Rocky Dawuni, King Promise, Burna Boy, Davido, and more. Tems secured the prestigious award for Best African Feature, marking a major win for the continent. We also spotted and featured some big names, including Kai Cenat, Kanye West, his wife Bianca Censori, and other notable personalities. Join us as we take you inside the Grammys, capturing all the highlights and exclusive moments.