You may have first stumbled across him on social media, or maybe one of his hooks has already lodged itself in your head, “Baby Lea Mai AA” or “Ta’ahine Ofa Atu.” Either way, there’s no mistaking his sound. Catchy. Feel-good. And, most importantly, rooted in language.
Meet Baby Joe, an up-and-coming artist making waves not only with his music but with the way he intertwines the Tongan language into every verse, every melody, every moment of his craft. For him, music isn’t just about rhythm and rhyme. It’s about responsibility. It’s about carrying forward something bigger than himself: the heartbeat of his culture, his people, and his homeland.
As we celebrate Tongan Language Week this year, under the theme “Ko ‘etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga : Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture” (August 17–23, 2025), Baby Joe stands as a powerful reminder of why this celebration matters. Through his music, he is ensuring that Tongan words, phrases, and meanings continue to live in the ears and hearts of the next generation.
At just 25 years old, Baby Joe hails from East Palo Alto in the Bay Area and is currently based in Mesa, Arizona. And while his journey is still unfolding, his voice has already begun weaving itself into the fabric of the Tongan story abroad. Read on for our Q&A with the young talent bringing Tongan language to life through his sound.
Q&A with Baby Joe
1. Your villages in Tonga?
Kapetā Kolomotu’a & Ha’ateiho
2. Where are you from & where are you currently based?
I’m from East Palo Alto, Bay Area currently based in Mesa, AZ
3. Your age?
25yrs old
4. What inspired you to start making music?
Growing up in Tonga I’ve always listened to R19 so it kinda inspired me.
5. Many of your songs are in Tongan, which we love to see! Why is it important to you to use the Tongan language in your music?
Because that’s one of the most important things in our culture, it’s our language and I wanna teach the younger generations to never forget their roots.
6. This week we’re celebrating Tongan Language Week, what does this week mean to you personally?
Tbh, Tongan Language Week is every week for me but since it’s celebrated specifically this week it makes me proud of who I am.
7. What message do you want to give to other young Tongans about embracing their language and culture?
Don’t forget your roots because being Tongan is something to be proud of and we’re the next generation so we wanna keep our language and culture alive.
8. What is your favorite Tongan song of all time?
‘Api Ko Toloa
9. What’s one Tongan word or phrase that you feel captures who you are as an artist?
Anga Fakatōkilalo – Humility
Baby Joe is more than just an artist; he is a vessel of memory, language, and identity. In a time when younger generations can so easily lose touch with their heritage, his music is a steady reminder that being Tongan is not just something to celebrate one week out of the year, it’s something to carry, proudly and humbly, every single day.
Keep an eye on this artist, add his music to your playlist, and follow him on socials to stay up to date with all things Baby Joe.
