From lilac-toned melodies to lyrics that read like pages torn from a soul’s diary, Joyce Olong is redefining what it means to be vulnerable, powerful, and undeniably real. In an industry that often rewards performance over presence, she leans into truth layering softness and strength across every verse.
In this heartfelt conversation, the singer-songwriter opens up about discovering her voice through silence, how her upbringing and musical icons shaped her sonic identity, and what it means to stand as a woman in a space still finding its balance. More than just songs, her work is a reflection of spirit bold, beautiful, and purposefully human.
Interviewer: Your music has such a distinct and soulful sound how did you discover your voice as an artist?
Joyce Olong: Thank you for this question.
Honestly, I discovered my voice by sitting with silence, listening and experimenting to see what felt ideal to me. I think finding your voice isn’t about adding more, it’s about coming home to what was always there. You. So that every time someone connects with my sound, I know it’s because I finally chose to be real.
Interviewer: Who were the women in music that inspired you growing up, and how have they shaped your sound or message?
Joyce Olong: I have to give credit to my parents for my women music catalogue. They introduced us to interesting artistes like Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight etc in our early years. I still listen to them to recalibrate from time to time. As I got older, I started listening to artistes like Destiny’s Child, Sade, Așa, Lil’ Kim and Lauryn hill who made me take my writing seriously and explore vulnerability. I could understand their rhythms and loved their voices.
Interviewer: Your lyrics feel deeply personal. Do you write from lived experiences or do you channel stories beyond yourself?
Joyce Olong: Oh yes yes they are. I mean, we carry each other’s stories along with ours and writing is how I process my reaction to these stories.
Interviewer: What role does vulnerability play in your music, especially as a woman navigating the industry?
Joyce Olong: Oh for me. Vulnerability is a strength. It has helped me stand out. It makes the music raw, relatable, and more honest. And I believe that honesty resonates deeper than anything else.
Interviewer: How do you balance being introspective in your music while still making it relatable to a wider audience?
Joyce Olong: It stems from us wanting to be understood. I’ve learned that relatability doesn’t mean watering down your truth. It means expressing it in a way that invites others in.
Interviewer: There’s a softness and strength in your work is that duality intentional or a reflection of who you are?
Joyce Olong: Oh this is a nice question. Thank you! I try to convey them and I reckon my music is a reflection of my essence. The softness you hear is my sensitivity and my ability to feel deeply. The strength is in my decision to share it, to stand in it, and to keep creating even when it’s hard. This contrast isn’t something I always plan.
Interviewer: What’s been your biggest challenge as a woman coming up in the male-dominated music space, and how do you rise above it?
Joyce Olong: Women are writing, producing, performing, building, and breaking barriers. We are actively trying to create spaces for visibility and the recognition we deserve, that’s something I’ve experienced firsthand as an indie artist. I’ve had to carve out my own lane and trust my instincts. But I also know that every time I release a song, I’m adding to a growing chorus of women refusing to be overlooked.
Interviewer: What emotions or ideas do you hope people sit with after listening to your songs?
Joyce Olong: I hope my music gives them permission to feel to really feel whatever’s been sitting in the quiet corners of their heart. I want them to feel less alone in it. We’re going through a lot so these songs are layered with questions, softness, resistance, and sometimes even silence. At the end of the day, I hope the music lingers not just in their ears, but in their spirit.
Interviewer: If your music had a color palette, what would it look like and why?
Joyce Olong: Very interesting. I like this. It really depends; I can get a bit hot/warm from time to time but I feel my music would solely be with the cool color palettes and the in-betweens. I’m going to say any shade of Purple ranging from Indigo to Deep Lilac and Lavender.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to create musically and culturally?
Joyce Olong: Musically, I want my legacy to reflect bold storytelling, beautiful sound and emotional honesty. I want people to listen to my songs and feel seen, like my music gave voice to something they couldn’t put into words Culturally, I hope to inspire more young ones with their musical gifts and women especially African women to own their narratives unapologetically.
Thank you for having me.
Interviewed by: Kehinde Adesokan “Dank Of Africa”