Joy Oladokun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joy Oladokun
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Oladokun performing at the White House, 2022
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Olubukola Joy Oladokun |
| Born | April 6, 1992 Casa Grande, Arizona, US |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
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Olubukola Joy Oladokun (born April 6, 1992) is an American singer and songwriter. Joy Oladokun's music mixes different styles like folk, R&B, rock, and pop. 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 and Music Start
Joy Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona. She listened to country and folk music, along with artists like Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill. Her parents came to the United States from Nigeria.
When Joy was 10, she saw a video of Tracy Chapman playing guitar. This inspired her to learn the instrument too. After finishing college, a friend suggested she move to Los Angeles to start her music career. Later, she moved to East Nashville, where she signed a deal with Prescription Songs.
Joy Oladokun's Music Career
In 2015, Joy Oladokun released her first collection of songs, called Cathedrals. Her first full album, Carry, was paid for by fans through Kickstarter. It came out on April 29, 2016.
In 2019, Oladokun released a song called "Sunday." She said this song was for her younger self. It was about being happy and true to yourself. The music video for "Sunday" showed many people who are part of the LGBTQ community.
During the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, Joy Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?". She wrote this song with Natalie Hemby. Another song, "Mercy," talks about her experiences as a Black person in the United States. Her song "I See America" speaks out against unfair systems. NPR even listed "I See America" as one of the 100 Best Songs of 2020.
On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings). Billboard magazine called it a "stunningly emotional collection" of songs.
In 2021, Oladokun received money from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund." That same year, she signed with Amigo Records, Verve Forecast Records, and Republic Records. On June 4, 2021, she released her third album, In Defense of My Own Happiness.
On February 17, 2023, Oladokun announced her fourth album, Proof of Life. She also released the first song from it, called "Changes." On March 16, 2023, she announced another song from the album, "We're All Gonna Die," which features Noah Kahan. The album Proof of Life was released on April 28. It includes songs with other artists like Mt. Joy, Manchester Orchestra, Maxo Kream, and Chris Stapleton.
In August 2024, Joy Oladokun opened for Hozier on some of his North American tour dates. She will also open for his shows in Australia and New Zealand in November 2024.
Discography
Studio Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Sales |
US Heat |
UK Amer. |
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| Carry |
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– | – | – |
| In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) |
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– | – | – |
| In Defense of My Own Happiness |
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– | – | – |
| Proof of Life |
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96 | 19 | 25 |
| Observations From A Crowded Room |
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– | – | – |
Reissued Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| In Defense of My Own Happiness (Complete) |
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| Proof of Life (Deluxe) |
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Extended Plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Cathedrals |
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| Spotify Singles |
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Singles
As Lead Artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Rock Air. |
US Rock Dig. |
|||
| "Shelter" | 2016 | – | – | Carry |
| "Memphis" | – | – | Non-album singles | |
| "No Turning Back" | 2017 | – | – | |
| "Sober" | 2018 | – | – | |
| "Blame" | 2019 | – | – | |
| "Sunday" | – | – | 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" | – | – | ||
| "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 single | |
| "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
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Adult |
CAN AC |
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| "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
| 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 |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Americana Music Award | Emerging Act of the Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| 2022 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist | In Defense of My Own Happiness | Nominated |
