Joy Oladokun, born on April 6, 1992, in Casa Grande, Arizona, is an American singer-songwriter whose music seamlessly blends Folk, R&B, Rock, and Pop influences. As a queer, gender-nonconforming person of color, Oladokun's identity deeply informs her artistry, allowing her to craft songs that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. Raised by Nigerian immigrant parents, Oladokun was exposed to a diverse musical landscape, including Country, Folk, Bob Marley, and Lauryn Hill. Her family's active involvement in their Christian church provided her with early musical experiences, as she was chosen to lead worship. However, she later distanced herself from the church to explore her creativity more freely. At the age of 10, inspired by a video of Tracy Chapman, Oladokun began learning the guitar, setting the foundation for her future musical career. In 2015, Oladokun self-released her debut EP, "Cathedrals", followed by her first studio album, "Carry", in 2016, which was funded through Kickstarter. Her 2019 single "Sunday" addressed her experiences as a queer individual, with its music video featuring predominantly LGBTQ relationships. The following year, amidst the Black Lives Matter movement, she released poignant tracks like "Who Do I Turn To?" and "I See America", the latter being recognized by NPR as one of the 100 Best Songs of 2020. Oladokun's subsequent albums, "In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)" (2020) and "In Defense of My Own Happiness" (2021), garnered critical acclaim, with Billboard describing the former as a "stunningly emotional collection." In 2021, she received a grant from YouTube's #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund and signed with major labels, further amplifying her reach. Her fourth studio album, "Proof of Life", released in April 2023, featured collaborations with artists like Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan. She supported the album with "The Living Proof Tour" in late 2023. In August 2024, Oladokun opened for Hozier during his Unreal Unearth Tour in North America and continued as the opening act for his shows in Australia and New Zealand in November 2024. Oladokun identifies as gender-nonconforming and uses she/they pronouns. She came out to her Nigerian parents at 22 and married her partner in April 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Throughout her career, Oladokun has received several nominations, including Emerging Act of the Year at the 2021 Americana Music Awards and Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards. She has performed at prestigious venues, including the White House during the Respect for Marriage Act signing ceremony, and has collaborated with artists such as Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Jason Isbell. Joy Oladokun continues to be a compelling voice in the music industry, using her platform to address personal and societal themes, resonating with a diverse and growing audience.