Joy Oladokun, Madeline Edwards

Joy Oladokun is one of today’s most compelling genre-defying voices. A queer Black musician and daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Oladokun has become a vital cultural voice, writing songs that explore identity, faith, mental health, and social justice with honesty and restraint. Those themes remain at the heart of Hope Is A Heavy Thing, Oladokun’s new 12-track album, due September 25. Produced by Oladokun with additional contributions from Nigerian producer Spellz and a feature from Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold, the album marks a bold new creative chapter, broadening her sound while continuing to explore questions of identity, resilience, and belonging with the emotional depth that has become her signature. The project further reflects Oladokun’s ability to draw from diverse influences while creating music that transcends genre and geography. Since her 2020 breakthrough, Oladokun has released three critically acclaimed albums, was nominated for Americana Artist of the Year, and saw her protest anthem “i see america” named a finalist for the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Award for Best Song for Social Change. With collaborations spanning artists like Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Noah Kahan, and Maxo Kream, she is entering her next chapter by bringing an even broader, bolder sound to the table, continuing to prove herself as an artist who not only bends genre but bridges culture. Since breaking onto the scene at the 55th CMA Awards, Madeline Edwards has experienced a remarkable rise, performing on some of the genre’s biggest stages and earning widespread accolades. Featured on the Spotify “Hot Country Artists to Watch” and CMT’s “Next Women of Country” lists, Edwards was also selected as a Top 20 Breaker artist on NPR. Her Opry debut earlier this year was lauded as one of the “best of all time” (Country Living), and she was recently featured as Billboard’s Rookie Of The Month and an Apple Music Country Riser. In a recent profile for The Tennessean, Edwards was noted for “cresting a fast-rising wave of acclaim and claiming her place as a thoughtful singer-songwriter in country’s mainstream.” The California-born, Texas-raised artist is noted for her unique ability to transcend musical boundaries and blend of jazz, soul, gospel and country music. Her initial five song EP, released in June 2022, featured Edwards’ “captivating” (Music Row) single “Port City,” where “Edwards lends her pure siren of a voice to a retelling of her own journey to Nashville” as well as well as her breakout hit, “The Road.” Edwards released her highly anticipated debut album, Crashlanded, with Warner Music Nashville on November 4. The 12-song project was “designed for people embracing not just the journey, but their power,” she notes. “The hardest thing wasn’t what was going on the record, but the order. I still believe in albums — and the cohesion of how songs hold together. We spent months going over the order, because I wanted people to feel all of it.” With the release of Crashlanded, Edwards continues to solidify her place in Nashville. In addition to opening for Chris Stapleton’s All American Road Show tour, Edwards brought her show to SXSW as one of Rolling Stone’s “Best of” She also performed at The Long Road Festival in the UK as well as Moon River Festival and Americana Fest. Upcoming tour dates, including Stagecoach 2023, can be found at www.MadelineEdwardsMusic.com.