Joy Oladokun On ‘Proof Of Life,’ Nina Simone And The Folk Tradition

On her fourth studio album Proof of Life, singer songwriter Joy Oladokun spins relatable tales.

There’s an honesty to the songwriting that hearkens back to the strength of the American folk tradition, music that addresses the world in a positive way, documenting the times.

Last month, Oladokun, who’s scheduled to launch a European tour in February 2024, released a deluxe version of one of the year’s best albums, with the new Proof of Life (Deluxe) boasting four additional songs as well as updated takes on three of the album’s original tracks.

I spoke with Joy Oladokun earlier this year backstage at Lollapalooza in Chicago about the idea of honesty in turbulent times, working with Noah Kahan on the track “We’re All Gonna Die,” maintaining a sense of optimism, the importance of mental health and the influence of a quote from singer and activist Nina Simone. A transcript of our conversation, lightly edited for length and clarity, follows below.

Jim Ryan: Here we are in this age where sometimes even something as simple as the idea of truth or honesty can be devalued. But when I listen to your songs, there’s these conversational topics that I think people can really relate to because they’re delivered in such an honest way. How important is that?

Joy Oladokun: I think truth is huge in this moment. In my music, I think I’ve always sort of had this barometer where it’s like, I never want to write something or share something that doesn’t feel true to me or doesn’t feel true. Because I don’t think that serves this planet. And I don’t think it serves what I’m trying to accomplish as an artist.

I can write songs that tell stories. But being as honest and genuine and open as I can at every moment that I have this platform is really important to me. Because I think that’s what connects people in the way that I want to connect people and be connected with people.

So, just telling the truth. And not saying it in a way that it sounds like I think I know everything. Here’s what, to me, feels true in this moment and here’s how I feel my way through it.

Ryan: Obviously you share a track on Proof of Life with Noah Kahan. What was it like working together with him on “We’re All Gonna Die?”

Oladokun: Noah is a good friend. And probably my favorite person I’ve met doing this job. So, when I wrote the chorus to “We’re All Gonna Die,” I just texted it to him like, “I feel like you would smash this.” And he did. It’s something we have fun singing together and playing together. And it’s just a song that I think represents both of our sensibilities – and also our sense of humor – in a cool way that doesn’t always happen in the rest of our music.

So, it’s cool that we got to pair up on something that feels like us and feels like our friendship – but is so uniquely different.

Ryan: You mentioned that sensibility. Obviously, there are some heady topics covered on the album – but always with a sense of hope. How important is it to strike that chord?

Oladokun: I never want to force the feeling of hope – because I don’t think that’s helpful. I think the instinct of survival is based in hope – in the hope that if someone stays alive long enough, a good could be found or a good could me made. And I think that’s a huge part of life.

I think it’s why we work for a living. It’s why we’re out at a festival. It’s part of the thing where it’s like, yes, it’s hot – but we might get to see some of our favorite artists today, you know?

And there’s this sort of balance. It’s worth some of the things that you might endure. And I always want that to come through. Because mental health is a huge part of my music. I try to take care of my mental health as best as I can every day. I think people need songs that remind them that life can sometimes suck but it also can be really beautiful.

Ryan: I think back to the folk tradition, where there were these songs addressing the world. Begetting a conversation in an effort to provoke change was a trademark of that genre. But it’s gotten a lot harder to do that during polarizing times like these. Your songs address ideas like climate change though and do so in an honest way. How important is it for an artist to do that?

Oladokun: I think about this Nina Simone quote everyday, that an artist’s duty is to reflect the times. And I honestly think that that can mean a lot of different things. I think there are artists that do a really good job of creating and hopping onto trends and creating a sound and a movement that just makes people feel good.

I don’t know that I’m one of those artists. I think that I’m sort of an artist that points to things that I see in the world around me and asks if anybody else sees it too. And I think that’s part of what I love about traditional folk music.

I don’t know. I think that, to me, posing those questions and being honest about what it’s like to live in this world at this moment is what makes music good and what makes folk music folk music.

I mean, it’s the music of the people. So, being sort of a new age folk musician, I try to tell my story and tell it as honestly as I can in the hopes that it will be a record for future generations of what it was like to be alive right now.