Spoken Word Artist Uses Club Beats for Gender Equality

Joshua Idehen, a spoken word artist, has released a debut solo album that masterfully employs the energy of club music to advocate for gender equality, personal growth, and collective empowerment. Titled "I know you're hurting, everyone is hurting, everyone is trying, you have got to try," the album represents a significant personal evolution for Idehen, who once espoused toxic viewpoints. His artistic journey involved overcoming isolation by drawing inspiration from musicians like Dizzee Rascal and Björk and finding community in London and Nigerian club scenes.

The album's centerpiece, "Mum," powerfully critiques various ideological frameworks failing women. Other tracks, such as "Choose Yourself," reframe self-care with a leftist perspective, advocating for causes like a free Palestine. The music itself, largely crafted by his creative partner Ludvig Parment, is a rich tapestry of gospel, jazz, UK garage, and filter house, mirroring the project's intersectional politics. Tracks like "Turn It Around" and "It Always Was" highlight club music's capacity to induce psychological transformation, pushing back against depression and fostering clarity. "This Is the Place" explicitly captures this essence, sampling a dialogue about music's power for escapism and connection.