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Olubukola Joy Oladokun (born April 6, 1992) 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 six studio albums: Carry (2016), In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020), In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021), Proof of Life (2023), Observations from a Crowded Room (2024), and Hope is a Heavy Thing (2026).
Early life Oladokun grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, listening to country and folk music, as well as Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill. 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.
When Oladokun was 10, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar.
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.
Career In 2015, Joy Oladokun self-released her debut EP, Cathedrals. Her debut studio album, Carry, was funded by Kickstarter and released on April 29, 2016, through Well Records.
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." The music video highlights people in LGBTQ relationships and has a predominantly queer cast.
In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement Oladokun released "Who Do I Turn To?", a ballad co-written with Natalie Hemby. 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. NPR listed "I See America" on its 100 Best Songs of 2020.
On July 17, 2020, Oladokun released her second studio album, In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings), with White Boy Records. Billboard described the album as a "stunningly emotional collection". Mitch Mosk, editor-in-chief of Atwood Magazine, called it a "a sweeping, soaring, and stunning sophomore record oozing heart and soul."
In 2021, Oladokun received a grant from YouTube's "#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund". 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 also opened for the tour’s shows in Australia and New Zealand in November 2024.
On September 25, 2026, Oladokun released her sixth studio album, Hope is a Heavy Thing.
Personal life Oladokun is gender-nonconforming, and "not totally in the binary." Oladokun uses she/they pronouns.
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions USSales USHeat UKAmer.CarryReleased: April 29, 2016 Label: Well Format: Digital download, streaming ― ― ―In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)Released: July 17, 2020 Label: White Boy, Amigo Format: Digital download, streaming ― ― ―In Defense of My Own HappinessReleased: June 4, 2021 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: CD, digital download, streaming ― ― ―Proof of LifeReleased: April 28, 2023 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: LP, CD, digital download, streaming 96 19 25Observations from a Crowded Room Released: October 18, 2024 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: CD, digital download, streaming―――Hope Is a Heavy ThingReleased: September 25, 2026 Label: Feed the Family, Concord–––
Reissued albums Title DetailsIn Defense of My Own Happiness (Complete)Released: July 9, 2021 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: CD, digital download, streamingProof of Life (Deluxe)Released: October 13, 2023 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: digital download, streaming
Extended plays Title DetailsCathedralsReleased: April 25, 2015 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital downloadSpotify SinglesReleased: October 20, 2021 Label: Amigo, Verve Forecast, Republic Format: Streaming
Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positionsCertifications Album USRockAir. USRockDig."Shelter"2016 ― ―Carry"Memphis" ― ―rowspan="4" "No Turning Back"2017 ― ―"Sober"2018 ― ―"Blame"2019 ― ―"Sunday" ― ―In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)"Blink Twice" ― ―"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" ― ―"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" ― ―rowspan="2" "Jingle Bells" ― ―"Keeping the Light On"2022 ― ―Proof of Life"Fortune Favors the Bold" ― ―"Purple Haze" ― ―Proof of Life"Sweet Symphony" ―25 RIAA: Gold"Be Careful" ― ―rowspan="2" "Power"― ―"Changes"2023 ― ―Proof of Life"We're All Gonna Die" 46 –"Taking Things For Granted" ― ―
As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album USAdult CANAC"We Don't Know We're Living"2021― ―"Someone Like You"27 50I Was/I Am"It's a Good Day (To Fight the System)"2022― ―"trophy" ――girls like girls the album
Music videos Title Year Director(s)"Sober"2018David O'Donohue"Blame"2019TBA"Sunday"Sami Lane"If You Got a Problem"2020Noah Tidmore"Wish You the Best"2021"Sorry Isn't Good Enough""Purple Haze"2022"Sweet Symphony"Mason Allen and Nicki Fletcher "Changes"2023
Notes
Accolades +YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResultRef2021 Americana Music Award Emerging Act of the Year Herself 2022 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist In Defense of My Own Happiness
References
External links Official website