Joy Oladokun

Born to immigrant parents in Casa Grande, Arizona, Joy Oladokun is a Nigerian-American songwriter whose music combines folk, pop, and R&B traditions with socially-conscious lyrics. Introduced to the songs of Nigerian icons like King Sunny Ade at a young age, she later discovered the contemporary folk-pop of Tracy Chapman, which inspired her to begin playing the guitar at 10 years old. She continued her musical education by performing with the worship team at her church, although she felt alienated by the church's stance on homosexuality. Following a brief relocation to Los Angeles, Joy Oladokun settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where she began making music inspired by her experience as a gay person of color. Her independently-released debut EP, Cathedrals, arrived in 2015, followed one year later by the full-length album Carry Me. Singles like 2017's "No Turning Back," 2018's "Sober," and 2019's "Sunday" followed, the latter of which was inspired by her upbringing in the church as a closeted teenager. Each song steadily increasing public demand for her next album. In Defense of My Own Happiness, (Vol. 1) ultimately appeared in 2020, featuring timely lyrics that examined racism, religion, and queer culture. A critically-acclaimed release, In Defense of My Own Happiness, (Vol. 1) was followed by another string of standalone singles, including 2021's "Jordan" and the Jensen McRae duet "Wish You the Best."