Joy Oladokun

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Joy Oladokun
P20221213HF-0034 (52651400933) (cropped).jpg
Oladokun performing at the White House, 2022
Background information
Birth nameOlubukola Joy Oladokun [1]
Born (1992-04-06) April 6, 1992 (age 31)
Casa Grande, Arizona, US
Genres
Years active2016–present
Labels
Website joyoladokun.com

Olubukola Joy Oladokun (born April 6, 1992 [5] ) 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 four studio albums: Carry (2016), In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020), In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021), and Proof of Life (2023).

Contents

Early life

Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill. [6] [7] 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. [8]

When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar. [6]

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. [9]

Career

In 2015, Joy Oladokun self-released her debut EP, Cathedrals. [3] Her debut studio album, Carry, was funded by Kickstarter and released on April 29, 2016, through Well Records. [3] [10]

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." [11] The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relationships and has a predominantly queer cast. [12]

In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?", a ballad co-written with Natalie Hemby. [13] 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. [14] [15] NPR listed "I See America" on its 100 Best Songs of 2020. [16]

On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second studio album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) , with White Boy Records. [10] [17] Billboard described the album as a "stunningly emotional collection". [18] Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Magazine, called it a "a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul." [19]

In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund". [20] 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 .

On February 17, 2023, Oladokun announced her fourth studio album, Proof of Life , along with the release of the first song off the album entitled "Changes". On March 16, 2023, Oladokun announced the next single off the album entitled "We're All Gonna Die", featuring Noah Kahan, and the lyric video of the song appeared on April 4. On April 20, Oladokun announced her tour for the album which she called "The Living Proof Tour", the tickets for which went on sale on April 25. The tour will start on September 10, and ends on October 5, 2023. On April 28, Oladokun released Proof of Life. The album features Mt. Joy (on the track "Friends"), Manchester Orchestra ("You At The Table"), Maxo Kream ("Revolution"), Chris Stapleton ("Sweet Symphony") and Noah Kahan ("We're All Gonna Die").

Discography

Joy Oladokun discography
Studio albums4
Music videos9
EPs2
Singles33

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
Sales

[21]
US
Heat

[22]
UK
Amer.

[23]
Carry
  • Released: April 29, 2016
  • Label: Well
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) [upper-alpha 1]
  • Released: July 17, 2020
  • Label: White Boy, Amigo
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
In Defense of My Own Happiness
Proof of Life
  • Released: April 28, 2023
  • Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
961925

Reissued albums

TitleDetails
In Defense of My Own Happiness (Complete)
  • Released: July 9, 2021
  • Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Proof of Life (Deluxe)
  • Released: October 13, 2023
  • Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Cathedrals
  • Released: April 25, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download
Spotify Singles
  • Released: October 20, 2021
  • Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic
  • Format: Streaming

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Rock
Air.

[24]
US
Rock
Dig.

[25]
"Shelter"2016Carry
"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"2020In 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)
2021In 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"2022Proof of Life
"Fortune Favors the Bold"
(featuring Tim Gent)
Non-album single
"Purple Haze"Proof of Life
"Sweet Symphony"
(with Chris Stapleton)
25
"Be Careful"
(with Madi Diaz and S.G. Goodman)
Non-album singles
"Power"
(from the Al Sharpton documentary Loudmouth)
"Changes"2023Proof of Life
"We're All Gonna Die"
(featuring Noah Kahan)
46
"Taking Things For Granted"
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Adult

[26]
CAN
AC

[27]
"We Don't Know We're Living"
(Lucie Silvas featuring Brandi Carlile and Joy Oladokun)
2021Non-album single
"Someone Like You"
(Noah Kahan featuring Joy Oladokun)
2750I Was/I Am
"It's a Good Day (To Fight the System)"
(Shungudzo featuring Joy Oladokun)
2022TBA

Music videos

TitleYearDirector(s)
"Sober"2018David O'Donohue
"Blame"2019TBA
"Sunday"Sami Lane
"If You Got a Problem"2020Noah Tidmore
"Wish You the Best"
(featuring Jensen McRae)
2021
"Sorry Isn't Good Enough"
"Purple Haze"2022Un­known
"Sweet Symphony"
(featuring Chris Stapleton)
Mason Allen and Nicki Fletcher
"Changes"2023Un­known

Notes

  1. Originally released as In Defense of My Own Happiness (Vol. 1)
  2. Later included on In Defense of My Own Happiness
  3. Later included on In Defense of My Own Happiness

Accolades

YearAssociationCategoryNominated WorkResultRef
2021 Americana Music Award Emerging Act of the YearHerselfNominated [28]
2022 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist In Defense of My Own HappinessNominated [29]

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References

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