Barnabas Samuel is a South Sudanese musician, songwriter, and community activist. He was born on May 25th, 1993, in Kaya, Morobo County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, during the Sudanese Civil War. When Barnabas was a baby, his parents moved to a refugee camp in Uganda, and he started his schooling at Nyarillo Pioneer Nursery (Koboko) and later attended Nyarilo Primary (Koboko). They returned to Yei, South Sudan, when the first protocol of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed. He grew up in Yei and continued his education at Christ the King and Kanjoro for his primary education, and Yei Day SS for secondary school.

Barnabas goes by several names within his family, including "Amule," “Mule,” "Lubang," "Lugala," and "Sam," while some of his Arab Sudanese family friends call him "Iman" and “Juma.” Initially, he was a Gospel evangelist and founded the Bible Truth Sowers Ministries in 2007, where he served as the president and speaker. In church, he sang in the choir and was known as the "son of encouragement" for his inspirational messages.

In 2016, Barnabas had to flee to Uganda again with his family when another civil war erupted in South Sudan. They settled in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, where they continue to live today. In Uganda, he joined the music industry and on September 2nd, 2021, he released his debut album SAMBARA, which became a huge success.

The songs in his Sambara album confront political injustices, awakes social conscience, gives hope, and brings the issues of the people to the forefront. In his song Suluta Wa Fata, he says in the intro, "De ma mini de minana Junubin," which translates to "This is not from me but from us South Sudanese."

Barnabas Samuel is the founder and CEO of Ganya Records, a music label that has signed several artists. He hopes to develop it into one of the best and most professional labels in South Sudan. His music style is a mix of afrobeat, reggae, Zouk, Rumba, RnB, and Dancehall, but he is most proactive about reggae music. He sings in Arabic, Kakwa, and English.

Barnabas Samuel draws his inspiration from his mother, Monica Melesi Henry, a retired teacher and a devoted member (Lay Leader) of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan – ECSS (formerly known as the Episcopal Church of Sudan, which is a province of the Anglican Communion in South Sudan) who was also a singer. He also draws inspiration from South Sudanese legendary reggae singer Emmanuel Kembe. Music runs in his family, as his siblings are all involved in music or related professions. His sister Selua Lula is a backup singer and a teacher, his brother Jaiksana Soro is a musician, peace activist, and a photographer/videographer, his younger brother Ronald Ladu aka Taylorbeats is a music producer, and their youngest sibling Mathew Gita is an artiste and a musician.

Barnabas is married to Mimi Yangi Elizabeth, and they have a son named Smyrna Barnabas. Born into a life of poverty and a broken home, Barnabas Samuel experienced living in refugee camps and on the streets, amidst the turmoil of a war-torn country. Despite the challenges, he has worked tirelessly to change his future and that of his family. Barnabas embodies the very meaning of what it means to be a true survivor. For him, music is a perfect form of escapism and a channel through which his unprecedented levels of determination, passion, enthusiasm, optimism, and perseverance flow. Barnabas draws inspiration from his personal experiences and those of his country to fuel his music.

Barnabas Samuel is deeply passionate about community and is known for his community activism work to improve the quality of life of his community and promote community life. He co-founded the Community Development Centre (CDC), a community concern organization that works for the welfare of communities, addressing urgent needs, providing empowerment, and creating platforms for community development. CDC now operates in both South Sudan and Uganda. In 2019, he also founded the Barnabas Samuel Foundation, which offers opportunities for people to live a fulfilled life.