Joy Oladokun debuts new song, judas, from the deluxe album in defense of my own happiness (complete).
Breakthrough singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun’s new deluxe album, in defense of my own happiness (complete), is out today via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. The special extended edition includes all 14 tracks from her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, as well as the ten additional songs from her self-released 2020 record, in defense of my own happiness (the beginnings), and one new track, judas.
In celebration of the new music, Oladokun will be featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” this afternoon speaking with host Ari Shapiro, and recently made her debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert performing sunday from Nashville’s newly opened National Museum of African American Music.
Released last month via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records, in defense of my own happiness finds Oladokun forging her own path, sharing the unique perspective she’s gained from living in today’s world as a black, queer woman and first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants. Born in Arizona and now living in Nashville, her musical exploration began at age ten when she was inspired to learn guitar after seeing a video of Tracy Chapman—the first time she’d ever seen a black woman play the instrument.
Recently named one of the “Best Albums of 2021 So Far” by Rolling Stone and Variety, and one of Billboard’s “Best Albums by LGBTQ Artists of 2021 So Far,” in defense of my own happiness features special collaborations with Maren Morris (Bigger Man), Jensen McRae (wish you the best) and Penny & Sparrow (heaven from here) and continues to receive widespread critical praise:
“She has a remarkable ability to distill how forces at work in the world…she can make even social and political protest feel like an intimate, warmly human act”—NPR Music
“a serious talent with a kind of low-key, casual ease…she’s always seeking out the light to point the way, making for one of the year’s most uplifting listens.”—Rolling Stone
“one of the hottest new singer-songwriters making music…surgical songwriting and soulful vocals that will send chills down your spine on each repeat listen.”—Billboard
“Joy Oladokun is a rare talent who manages to dissect Christianity, queerness, race and mental wellness with a delicate yet determined touch”—Vogue
“Oladokun’s message is not only timely, but essential.”—them.
“a stunning major label debut…any Nashville musician worth their salt should be pinching themselves to work with Oladokun, among the most exciting talents this city has seen in years.”—The Tennessean
“the rising singer-songwriter proves her worth as a master storyteller”—American Songwriter
Furthering her breakout year, Oladokun will tour throughout the fall including upcoming performances at Newport Folk Festival, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits as well as several dates supporting Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Dermot Kennedy.
Oladokun has continued to receive widespread attention in the past year, including recent performances of album track, breathe again, on NBC’s TODAY and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The song also received a key placement on NBC’s This Is Us, propelling the track to reach #3 on Shazam’s U.S. Top 200 while also charting globally. Additionally, Oladokun has been named a member of the inaugural #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021, an NPR Music/Slingshot’s 2021 Artists to Watch, a Billboard LGBTQ Artist of the Month, Spotify’s RADAR US: Artists to Watch 2021, Amazon Music’s Artists to Watch 2021 and Vogue’s #1 New LGBTQ Artists to Listen to Now, and was recently highlighted as part of HULU’s “Your Attention Please: The Concert ” alongside 24kGoldn, Kiana Ledé, Lil Yachty, and Swae Lee. In addition to This Is Us, her music has been featured on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, ABC’s Station 19 and NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Oladokun also recently teamed up with the ever-popular life simulation game The Sims™ 4 as part of their first-ever in-game music event alongside Bebe Rexha and Glass Animals.
IN DEFENSE OF MY OWN HAPPINESS (COMPLETE) TRACK LIST
- jordan
- smoke
- if you got a problem
- i see america
- heaven from here (feat. Penny & Sparrow)
- younger days
- sunday
- bad blood
- lost
- who do i turn to?
- sorry isn’t good enough
- taking the heat
- someone that i used to be
- brick by brick
- unwelcoming
- Bigger Man (feat. Maren Morris)
- mercy (feat. Tim Gent)
- let it be me
- judas
- mighty die young
- breathe again
- too high
- look up
- wish you the best (feat. Jensen McRae)
JOY OLADOKUN CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
July 23—Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
July 29—Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
July 30—Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
August 4—Bellvue, CO @ The Mishawka*
August 5—Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
August 8—St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant*
August 10—Madison, WI @ The Sylvee*
August 11—Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory*
August 14—Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe*
August 17—Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre*
August 19—Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion*
August 28—Lexington, KY @ Railbird Music Festival
September 2—Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
September 8—Park City, UT @ Park City Song Summit 2021
September 11—Pelham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre+
September 24—New York, NY @ Rooftop at Pier 17+
September 25—New York, NY @ Rooftop at Pier 17+
September 26—Richmond, VA @ Virginia Credit Union Live at Richmond Raceway+
October 1—Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 24—Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Music Festival
October 28—Grand Rapids, MI @ CFAC Auditorium at Calvin University
*with Dermot Kennedy
+with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
