Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician Joy Oladokun has released a new single, “Keeping the Light On.”
Reflecting on the song, Oladokun shares, “My next body of work is about the human will to keep trying in the midst of all the tragedy that we’ve seen and perpetrated. ‘Keeping the Light On’ is my little musical way of saying it’s really hard to keep trying but I think part of life is doing so anyway and seeing what magic comes out of it.”
Written by Oladokun, Mike Elizondo and Ian Fitchuk, “Keeping the Light On” is Oladokun’s first new music since her breakthrough major label debut, in defense of my own happiness (Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records). Widely acclaimed, the album landed on numerous “Best of 2021” lists including at NPR Music, Billboard, Variety, American Songwriter, The Tennessean, Nashville Scene, and The Bitter Southerner. Most recently, Oladokun was nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards, was featured on the acclaimed podcast, “Song Exploder,” and made her debut on both ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and PBS’ Austin City Limits.
Oladokun’s ACL debut was on Saturday, January 15 as part of the legendary program’s 47th season. Later this spring, she will embark on her first ever headline tour.
Upcoming shows include Austin’s Antone’s, Dallas’ Club Dada, Los Angeles’ Troubadour (sold out), San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, Seattle’s Neumos, Minneapolis’ Fine Line, Chicago’s Lincoln Hall, New York’s Bowery Ballroom (sold out), Boston’s Royale, Washington DC’s Union Stage, and Nashville’s The Basement East (two nights, one sold out) among several others. Oladokun will also make her debut at Bonnaroo Music Festival this summer.
With in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun is 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.