Joy Oladokun Signs Record Deal, Releases Maren Morris Collab

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Joy Oladokun. Photo: Noah Tidmore

Nashville-based singer, songwriter and musician Joy Oladokun has signed a joint partnership with Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records.

Born in Arizona, Oladokun taps into her unique perspective she’s gained from living in today’s world as a Black, queer woman, and first-generation child of Nigerian immigrants in her music. 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.

Now, Oladokun has teamed with Maren Morris for her new song, “Bigger Man,” out today (May 14). Written by Oladokun, Morris, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, the track is the latest unveiled from Oladokun’s forthcoming major label debut album, adding to three additional album tracks released so far this year: “sorry isn’t good enough,” “jordan” and “wish you the best” featuring Jensen McRae.

Of the collaboration, Oladokun shares, “The day we wrote ‘Bigger Man’ was actually the first day I had met Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, and Laura Veltz. We were bouncing ideas around the room, and I had this song idea that came to mind when I was meditating that morning. The idea was about being the bigger man. In my life, I sometimes experience being the youngest and the most inexperienced, and yet I have to conduct myself as though I am way above my years or my maturity. I think it’s an old feeling, especially for women and people of color, of having to be stronger, better, brighter, and harder working at everything just to get a shot. We wrote from that place and the song was born—I’m really proud of what we did. I’m also excited about the friendship and the things that were born out of it. I hope it helps people in the same way that it has helped me.”

LB Cantrell
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