Joy Oladokun (born April 6, 1992[4]) 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).
Joy Oladokun | |
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Born | Casa Grande, Arizona, US |
Genres | |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels | |
Website | joyoladokun |
Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill.[5][6] 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.[7]
When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar.[5]
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.[8]
In 2015, Joy Oladokun self-released her debut EP, Cathedrals.[2] Her debut studio album, Carry, was funded by Kickstarter and released on April 29, 2016 through Well Records.[2][9]
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."[10] The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relationships and has a predominantly queer cast.[11]
In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?", a ballad co-written with Natalie Hemby.[12] 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.[13][14] NPR listed "I See America" on its 100 Best Songs of 2020.[15]
On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second studio album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (Vol. 1), with White Boy Records.[9][16] Billboard described the album as a "stunningly emotional collection".[17] Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Magazine, called it a "a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul."[18]
In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund".[19] 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.
Joy Oladokun discography | |
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Studio albums | 3 |
Compilation albums | 1 |
Music videos | 6 |
EPs | 2 |
Singles | 28 |
Title | Details |
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Carry |
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In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)[upper-alpha 1] |
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In Defense of My Own Happiness |
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Title | Details |
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In Defense of My Own Happiness (Complete) |
|
Title | Details |
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Cathedrals |
|
Spotify Singles |
|
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US Rock Dig. [20] | |||
"Shelter" | 2016 | – | Carry |
"Memphis" | – | Non-album singles | |
"No Turning Back" | 2017 | – | |
"Sober" | 2018 | – | |
"Blame" | 2019 | – | |
"Sunday"[upper-alpha 2] | – | In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) | |
"Blink Twice" | – | Non-album single | |
"Too High" | 2020 | – | In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) |
"Unwelcoming" | – | ||
"Bad Blood" | – | ||
"Breathe Again"[upper-alpha 3] | – | ||
"Who Do I Turn To?" | – | ||
"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 | |
"Jingle Bells" | – | ||
"Keeping the Light On" | 2022 | – | TBA |
"Fortune Favors the Bold" (featuring Tim Gent) |
– | ||
"Purple Haze" | – | ||
"Sweet Symphony" (with Chris Stapleton) |
25 |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US Adult [21] |
CAN AC [22] | |||
"We Don't Know We're Living" (Lucie Silvas featuring Brandi Carlile and Joy Oladokun) |
2021 | ― | ― | Non-album single |
"Someone Like You" (Noah Kahan featuring Joy Oladokun) |
27 | 50 | I Was/I Am | |
"It's a Good Day (To Fight the System)" (Shungudzo featuring Joy Oladokun) |
2022 | ― | ― | TBA |
Title | Year | Director(s) |
---|---|---|
"Sober" | 2018 | David O'Donohue |
"Blame" | 2019 | TBA |
"Sunday" | Sami Lane | |
"If You Got a Problem" | 2020 | Noah Tidmore |
"Wish You the Best" (featuring Jensen McRae) |
2021 | |
"Sorry Isn't Good Enough" |
Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Americana Music Award | Emerging Act of the Year | Herself | Nominated | [23] |
2022 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist | In Defense of My Own Happiness | Nominated | [24] |
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