Joy Oladokun

Joy Oladokun is a singer-songwriter and folk musician from Arizona. Oladokun's music is influenced by her identity as a queer woman of color.

Joy Oladokun
BornCasa Grande, Arizona, US
Genresfolk
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Well
  • White Boy
Websitejoyoladokun.com

Early life

Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill.[1][2] 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.[3]

When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar.[1]

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.[4]

Career

Oladokun released her first album, Carry Me, in 2016.[5]

Oladokun's song "No Turning Back" was used in a baby announcement video for Russell Wilson and Ciara, introducing her music to a larger audience.

Oladokun released her track "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."[6] The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relationships and has a predominantly queer cast.[7]

In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?" a ballad co-written with Natalie Hemby.[8] Oladokun' 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.[9][10] NPR listed "I See America" on its 100 Best Songs of 2020.[11]

On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second album, in defense of my own happiness (vol. 1).[5][12] Billboard described the album as a "stunningly emotional collection."[13] Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Magazine, called it a "a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul."[14]

In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund".[15]

Discography
Studio albums
  • Carry (2016)
  • in defense of my own happiness, (vol. 1) (2020)
Singles
  • "Shelter" (2016)
  • "Memphis" (2016)
  • "No Turning Back" (2017)
  • "Sober" (2018)
  • "Blame" (2019)
  • "Sunday" (2019)
  • "Blink Twice" (2019)
  • "Too High" (2020)
  • "Unwelcoming" (2020)
  • "Bad Blood" (2020)
  • "Breathe Again" (2020)
  • "Who Do I Turn To?" (2020)
  • "Mercy" (featuring Tim Gent) (2020)
  • "If You Got a Problem" (2020)
  • "I See America" (2020)
  • "Look Up" (2020)[16]
  • "Wish You the Best" (2021)[17]

References
  1. Brow, Jason (June 1, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Finds Herself Connecting With A Greater Purpose On The Inspirational 'Mercy'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  2. "Joy Oladokun 2011 Women's Tennis Roster | Hope International University Athletics". www.hiuroyals.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  3. Hight, Jewly (December 4, 2019). "Mercy Bell And Joy Oladokun On Finding Their Voices, And Common Ground, Through Folk". NPR. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. Ladd, Olivia (February 2, 2020). "Outstanding Storyteller Joy Oladokun on Finding Her Voice in Music City". Nashville Scene. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  5. Commander, Lowndes (July 1, 2020). "On Happiness and Humanness: A Conversation With Joy Oladokun". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  6. Ermac, Raffy (June 1, 2019). "Joy Oladokun's New Track 'Sunday' Will Give You All the Feels". www.pride.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. "A Look At Songs Inspired By The 2020 Protests For Racial Justice". NPR. June 2, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  10. Trageser, Stephen (October 26, 2020). "Joy Oladokun Issues a Firm, Gentle Call to Action in 'I See America'". Nashville Scene. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. "The 100 Best Songs Of 2020 (Nos. 80-61)". NPR.org. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  12. 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.
  13. Daw, Stephen (July 1, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Troye Sivan, The Aces, Shamir & More". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  14. "Atwood Magazine's Top Artist Discoveries of 2020". Atwood Magazine. December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  15. Cirisano, Tatiana (January 12, 2021). "YouTube Launches Grant Program for Black Creators & Artists". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  16. Daw, Stephen (November 6, 2020). "First Out: New Music From Brittany Howard, Joy Oladokun, Kim Petras & More". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  17. Freeman, Jon; Hudak, Joseph (January 18, 2021). "RS Country Music Picks for the Week of January 18th". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.