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 person 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).
Joy Oladokun | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Oladokun performing at the White House, 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Olubukola Joy Oladokun[1] |
| Born | April 6, 1992 Casa Grande, Arizona, US |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | joyoladokun |
Early life
editOladokun 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
editIn 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 started on September 10, and ended 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").
In August 2024, Oladokun was the opening act for four North American shows on Hozier’s Unreal Unearth Tour. She will also open for the tour’s shows in Australia and New Zealand in November 2024.
Personal Life
editOladokun is gender-nonconforming,[21] and "not totally in the binary."[22]
Oladokun uses she/they pronouns.[21]
Discography
edit| Joy Oladokun discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 4 |
| EPs | 2 |
| Singles | 33 |
| Music videos | 9 |
Studio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Sales [23] |
US Heat [24] |
UK Amer. [25] | ||
| Carry |
|
– | – | – |
| In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)[A] |
|
– | – | – |
| In Defense of My Own Happiness |
|
– | – | – |
| Proof of Life |
|
96 | 19 | 25 |
| Observations From A Crowded Room[26] |
|
– | – | – |
Reissued albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| In Defense of My Own Happiness (Complete) |
|
| Proof of Life (Deluxe) |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Cathedrals |
|
| Spotify Singles |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Rock Air. [27] |
US Rock Dig. [28] | |||
| "Shelter" | 2016 | – | – | Carry |
| "Memphis" | – | – | Non-album singles | |
| "No Turning Back" | 2017 | – | – | |
| "Sober" | 2018 | – | – | |
| "Blame" | 2019 | – | – | |
| "Sunday"[B] | – | – | 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"[C] | – | – | ||
| "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 | – | – | Proof 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" | 2023 | – | – | Proof of Life |
| "We're All Gonna Die" (featuring Noah Kahan) |
46 | – | ||
| "Taking Things For Granted" | – | – | ||
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Adult [29] |
CAN AC [30] | |||
| "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 |
Music videos
edit| 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" | ||
| "Purple Haze" | 2022 | Unknown |
| "Sweet Symphony" (featuring Chris Stapleton) |
Mason Allen and Nicki Fletcher | |
| "Changes" | 2023 | Unknown |
Notes
editAccolades
edit| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Americana Music Award | Emerging Act of the Year | Herself | Nominated | [31] |
| 2022 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist | In Defense of My Own Happiness | Nominated | [32] |
References
edit- ^ Derby, Samara Kalk (April 22, 2022). "Joy Oladokun sings about 'the rage of what it takes to just be awake'". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "sorry isn't good enough - single by Joy Oladokun". Apple Music. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Oladokun, Joy (September 15, 2021). "How Singer-Songwriter Joy Oladokun Is Defending Her Own Happiness". WAMU. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun 2011 Women's Tennis Roster | Hope International University Athletics". www.hiuroyals.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Hight, Jewly (December 4, 2019). "Mercy Bell And Joy Oladokun On Finding Their Voices, And Common Ground, Through Folk". NPR. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Ladd, Olivia (February 2, 2020). "Outstanding Storyteller Joy Oladokun on Finding Her Voice in Music City". Nashville Scene. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Commander, Lowndes (July 1, 2020). "On Happiness and Humanness: A Conversation With Joy Oladokun". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Ermac, Raffy (June 1, 2019). "Joy Oladokun's New Track 'Sunday' Will Give You All the Feels". www.pride.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "A Look At Songs Inspired By The 2020 Protests For Racial Justice". NPR. June 2, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Trageser, Stephen (October 26, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Issues a Firm, Gentle Call to Action in 'I See America'". Nashville Scene. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ "The 100 Best Songs Of 2020 (Nos. 80-61)". NPR.org. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Daw, Stephen (July 1, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Troye Sivan, The Aces, Shamir & More". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "Atwood Magazine's Top Artist Discoveries of 2020". Atwood Magazine. December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (January 12, 2021). "YouTube Launches Grant Program for Black Creators & Artists". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Get To Know: Joy Oladokun". Sweet July. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Nussbaum, Emily (July 17, 2023). "Country Music's Culture Wars and the Remaking of Nashville". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun - Official Site". Joy Oladokun. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Adult pop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ "Joy Oladokun Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ "Americana Music Awards 2021". Americana Music Association. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". glaad. September 15, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.