Joy Oladokun is a multifaceted individual. She is Black, queer, kind-hearted, a die-hard NBA fan, down-to-Earth, and, as she describes herself, a “sensitive stoner.” This label is her way of challenging the negative stereotypes surrounding cannabis culture and offering a more positive perspective to those who still hold onto outdated beliefs about weed. For Oladokun, cannabis is a versatile and beneficial plant that has played a significant role in her life. She credits its medicinal properties for helping her overcome the religious trauma of her youth, manage anxiety, and achieve success as an artist. “It’s my way of saying that I smoke a lot of pot and I feel a lot of feelings,” Oladokun shares from her studio in Nashville. Her latest album, Proof Of Life, is a testament to this. It’s a smooth and emotional blend of R&B and folk that brings a sense of peace amidst the chaos of intolerance in America. When Oladokun talks about touring, she emphasizes the unity she has created through her music and her ability to bring together fans from all walks of life. “We have found this common ground even though we’re all very different people,” she says. And while getting high with fellow artists, some of whom she considers her heroes, may not be the ultimate goal, it’s definitely a perk. “I try to smoke weed with everybody who’s willing,” Oladokun admits. “I even got to smoke a joint with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra, which was a highlight. Honestly, a lot of people have been on and off the tour bus.” Although cannabis plays a significant role in Oladokun’s life now, she admits she was a late bloomer. It wasn’t until she left her small religious town and her God-fearing family in Arizona to attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville that she was first exposed to the plant. “I had heard so much negativity about drugs in general, and there’s some addiction in my family,” Oladokun explains. “In high school, I didn’t know enough about anything to risk it.” But after pulling several all-nighters in college and experiencing the studio life in Music City, someone passed her a joint. To her surprise, Nancy Reagan, Jesus, or anyone else didn’t appear to drag her to hell. Instead, Oladokun had an epiphany. She realized that all the anti-pot rhetoric she had been fed in her youth was false. In fact, the experience was invigorating, uplifting, and brought new life. “It was the best vocal take I’d ever done, and I slept really well and had a great day at school,” she recalls. This was a turning point for Oladokun, as she learned that cannabis could actually help her function better as a human being.
Preaching To The Choir: Joy Oladokun
