Joy Oladokun

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Joy Oladokun
BornCasa Grande, Arizona, US
Genres
Years active2016–present
Labels
Websitejoyoladokun.com

Joy Oladokun is an American singer-songwriter. Oladokun's music spans the genres of folk, R&B, rock, and pop and is influenced by her identity as a queer woman of color. She has released three studio albums; Carry (2016), In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020), and In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021).

Early life[]

Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill.[4][5] Both of her parents are Nigerian immigrants to the United States. Her family regularly attended a Christian church, where Oladokun was chosen to lead worship. Later, Oladokun left the church because it limited her creativity.[6]

When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar.[4]

After college, at a friend's suggestion, Oladokun moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music career. She later moved to East Nashville, where she signed with Prescription Songs.[7]

Career[]

In 2015, Joy Oladokun self-released her debut EP Cathedrals.[2] Her debut studio album, Carry Me was funded by Kickstarter and released on April 29, 2016 through Well Records.[2][8]

Oladokun released the single "Sunday" in 2019, saying "'Sunday' is the song that 12-year-old Joy, seated in the back of church youth group, needed to hear. She needed to hear that you can be queer and happy. Queer and healthy. Queer and holy. She needed to see married women kissing and playing with their kids."[9] The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relationships and has a predominantly queer cast.[10]

In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?" a ballad co-written with Natalie Hemby.[11] Oladokun’s song "Mercy" follows in the same theme, describing her experience as a Black person in the United States, while the single "I See America" criticizes systemic racism.[12][13] NPR listed "I See America" on its 100 Best Songs of 2020.[14]

On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second studio album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (Vol. 1) with White Boy Records.[8][15] Billboard described the album as a "stunningly emotional collection."[16] Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Magazine, called it a "a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul."[17]

In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund".[18] The same year she signed with Amigo Records, Verve Forecast Records, and Republic Records. On June 4, 2021 she released her third studio album In Defense of My Own Happiness.

Discography[]

Joy Oladokun discography
Studio albums3
EPs1
Singles23

Studio albums[]

Title Details
Carry
  • Released: April 29, 2016
  • Label: Well
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)[A]
  • Released: July 17, 2020
  • Label: White Boy, Amigo
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
In Defense of My Own Happiness

Extended plays[]

Title Details
Cathedral
  • Released: April 25, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles[]

Title Year Album
"Shelter" 2016 Carry
"Memphis" Non-album singles
"No Turning Back" 2017
"Sober" 2018
"Blame" 2019
"Sunday" In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) and In Defense of My Own Happiness
"Blink Twice" Non-album single
"Too High" 2020 In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
"Unwelcoming"
"Bad Blood"
"Breathe Again" In Defense of My Own Happiness, (The Beginnings) and In Defense of My Own Happiness
"Who Do I Turn To?" In Defense of My Own Happiness, (The Beginnings)
"Mercy"
(featuring Tim Gent)
"If You Got a Problem" In Defense of My Own Happiness
"I See America"
"Look Up"
"Mighty Die Young"
"My Girl" Non-album single
"Wish You the Best"
(featuring Jensen McRae) 		2021 In Defense of My Own Happiness
"Jordan"
"Sorry Isn't Good Enough"
"Bigger Man"
(with Maren Morris)
"Who Are You" Non-album single

Notes[]

  1. ^ Originally released as In Defense of My Own Happiness, (Vol. 1)

References[]

  1. ^ Hansen, Susan (August 7, 2020). "Joy Oladokun's eclectic pop reflections brim with judgement and aspiration". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "An Interview With JOY OLADOKUN On Her Debut Album "Carry", Her Favorite Artists and What Inspires Her Each Day". All Access. May 5, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "sorry isn't good enough - single by Joy Oladokun". Apple Music. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Brow, Jason (June 1, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Finds Herself Connecting With A Greater Purpose On The Inspirational 'Mercy'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Joy Oladokun 2011 Women's Tennis Roster | Hope International University Athletics". www.hiuroyals.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  6. ^ Hight, Jewly (December 4, 2019). "Mercy Bell And Joy Oladokun On Finding Their Voices, And Common Ground, Through Folk". NPR. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Ladd, Olivia (February 2, 2020). "Outstanding Storyteller Joy Oladokun on Finding Her Voice in Music City". Nashville Scene. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Commander, Lowndes (July 1, 2020). "On Happiness and Humanness: A Conversation With Joy Oladokun". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Ermac, Raffy (June 1, 2019). "Joy Oladokun's New Track 'Sunday' Will Give You All the Feels". www.pride.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Daw, Stephen (June 2, 2019). "Joy Oladokun Celebrates Both the Joy and Fear Of Coming Out in 'Sunday' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Mauch, Ally (June 5, 2020). "Singer Joy Oladokun Releases Powerful Ballad 'Who Do I Turn To?' in Support of Black Lives Matter". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  12. ^ "A Look At Songs Inspired By The 2020 Protests For Racial Justice". NPR. June 2, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Trageser, Stephen (October 26, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Issues a Firm, Gentle Call to Action in 'I See America'". Nashville Scene. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "The 100 Best Songs Of 2020 (Nos. 80-61)". NPR.org. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Daw, Stephen (July 31, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Found Happiness As a Queer Black Woman. Now It's Her 'Responsibility and Gift' To Share That Experience". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Daw, Stephen (July 1, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Troye Sivan, The Aces, Shamir & More". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  17. ^ "Atwood Magazine's Top Artist Discoveries of 2020". Atwood Magazine. December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (January 12, 2021). "YouTube Launches Grant Program for Black Creators & Artists". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.

External links[]

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