Joy Oladokun's 'Proof of Life' balances her self-awareness, broader popularity

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Nashville-based Casa Grande, Arizona native Joy Oladokun is everyone's favorite unlikely breakout pop star.

The statement might seem bold for the singing, songwriting and production marvel -- the queer daughter of Nigerian immigrants. Her humble roots include time spent as a Christian worship leader.

She's currently about to release her third album, "Proof of Life," on April 28, at a time wherein her music is everyehere, including on ESPN and Viacom-branded networks and at the White House, where she recently performed. She is mentored by a protege of Dr. Dre (Mike Elizondo) and likely has Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, John Mayer and Chris Stapleton on speed dial.

Joy Oladokun performs opening for John Mayer at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 24, 2023.
Joy Oladokun performs opening for John Mayer at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 24, 2023.

Her days and thoughts are crowded as much by appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, PBS's Austin City Limits and NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series as by a tour schedule that finds her appearing worldwide for the next six months. The hectic schedule is somewhat stress-inducing.

"As an artist and human who shares their heart and life, I want to empower people into themselves but that world need not be within the boundaries of my own personal universe," Oladokun says to The Tennessean.

Joy Oladokun's latest album, "Proof of Life," will be released April 28 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records
Joy Oladokun's latest album, "Proof of Life," will be released April 28 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records

"Obsessing over where I get coffee when I'm in Chicago is not as important as people surviving their hopelessness, sadness and exhaustion."

Her ever-present humility appears when she's describing her appreciation for the "energy and hope" she's especially received via her latest album's collaborations.

The release features the soul-stirring mega-ballad "Sweet Symphony" featuring Stapleton, "You At The Table" with Manchester Orchestra, indie rockers Mt. Joy, Houston rapper Maxo Kream ("Biggie from Texas -- he's who I listen to before I go onstage"), plus a guest spot from her current tour-mate Noah Kahan on "We're All Gonna Die."

"I don't like being the smartest person in the room and am blessed to work with people whose perspectives and experiences teach me a lot about how myself," Oladokun offers.

She's self-described as "reserved and shy," but as the resonance in her songs and statements grows, she's now working with a vocal teacher to sharpen the power of her instrument.

Oladokun's desire to empower her intentionality has also found her seeking statements by progressive-minded intellectuals like Angela Davis to inspire the artist with ideas like "you can't protest non-violently unless the people you are protesting are committed to non-violence."

Thus, her apocalyptic yet melodic, string-laden Kahan collaboration "We're All Gonna Die" opens with "these days something's always turning into / nothin' will change I'm just tryin' to / find a way up when I'm down / it all makes sense to me now / we're all gonna die tryin' to figure it out."

It's the latest and greatest combination of eras of pop nihilism -- '90s indie pop Beck and Weezer vibes delivered with blithe, Beatles-esque musicianship.

"I've written so many songs that represent me getting out of feeling sad while processing the breadth of my human experience in real-time and putting it to words and music. I want to see the good in everything but still feel the weight of everyday life," Oladokun adds.

Joy Oladokun has collaborated with artists such as Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, Lucie Silvas and Noah Kahan and has joined Morris, Isbell, My Morning Jacket, Pink Sweat$, Leon Bridges and Manchester Orchestra on the road.
Joy Oladokun has collaborated with artists such as Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, Lucie Silvas and Noah Kahan and has joined Morris, Isbell, My Morning Jacket, Pink Sweat$, Leon Bridges and Manchester Orchestra on the road.

"Music is one of the last non-violent spaces where people can listen and forget their troubles. Bridging differences by conversationally explaining how my heart -- for better or worse, via my fears, triumphs, questions and best guesses -- is always on my sleeve allows people to discover a common, empathetic thread [in my music]."

Her most outstanding achievement in that quest is demystifying how people elevate music into art by using her art to highlight human mediocrity.

"I'm really good at what I do, but I'm not above anyone," Oladokun adds. "Come to my show for the cross-country truck drivers and twinks in glitter crop-tops," she jokes.

Joy Oladokun performs at That Tent during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival held in Manchester, Tenn., on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
Joy Oladokun performs at That Tent during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival held in Manchester, Tenn., on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

However, the idea that many are comfortable limiting Oladokin's fanbase to two distinct populations is also exactly why she's so broadly expanded her creative scope on "Proof of Life."

"I'm a guitarist who sings throwback-style songs about my feelings, but I also want to highlight my artistic flexibility. The pipelines that collaborations allow to occur show people my life's most honest inspirations and interests."

"People will come for my more folk and Americana ballads like 'Sweet Symphony' that because they're about vulnerability, love and acceptance, are things that have previously been successful. But, once they're listening, they're getting me asking a simple question: "what music would I make -- not if, what, or how, or what wins awards -- just me, making uncategorizable music that sounds and feels good."

Joy Oladokun performs at the  Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Joy Oladokun performs at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

When asked to ponder the unique scenario releasing an album that, due to her rising pop-crossover appeal, will speak to a wildly diverse population of people, Oladokun paused before delivering a lengthy statement.

"As an African-American, queer, gender non-conforming person, I sit at numerous social intersections that infringe upon my comfort, health and safety. Creating while also having to fight for those simple necessities -- but also being a person who grew up in a small town in Arizona and shot beer bottles off gates for fun and went mudding when it rained -- allows me to understand people who [are infringing upon my comfort]," Oladokun says.

"People recently died in Nashville at the hands of someone who, like me, is gender non-conforming. But, unfortunately, because that person is a part of my chosen community, I also must take responsibility because people in my community are now being painted as deranged, mentally unstable and sub-human because of the horrific, evil thing they did," the singer-songwriter flatly states.

Left to right, Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Maren Morris, Joy Oladokun and Amanda Shires perform during the Love Rising concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 20, 2023.
Left to right, Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Maren Morris, Joy Oladokun and Amanda Shires perform during the Love Rising concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 20, 2023.

"I'm doing my best to speak for everyone I represent fairly and kindly -- while also not ending up exhausted or dead."

Irreverent as ever, Oladokun then giggles while following with an anecdote about her life recently that highlight the modern, bittersweet pleasures of a free and proud existence.

"I mean, I met [Paramore lead singer] Hayley Williams at [the] Love Rising [concert on March 20, 2003, for protecting queer and trans rights at Bridgestone Arena]. I was there for the cause, but what an unexpected win, right?"

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Joy Oladokun's 'Proof of Life' balances her self-awareness, broader popularity