Joshua Idehen

About

" A spoken word craftsman with a beating electronic heart "

Whether written down, spoken out loud, or even just held in your mind, words have power. This is well-known and not really news to anyone. It might take listening to Joshua Idehen’s hypnotic elocution and meticulously crafted verses, however, to truly understand what that means.

There’s a likelihood you’ve already heard the British-Nigerian poet, singer, and songwriter, without even knowing it. He’s a productive artist, with his distinctive blend of spoken word and music the common thread running through his various projects, whether that’s the dance-pop trio Benin City, his work with London electronic duo LV, or his collaborations with high-profile acts such as Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming. Whatever he tackles, he brings his versatile lyrical style to the table, often exploring themes of urban life, identity, and the complexities of living in modern cities.

Idehen’s poignant narratives, wrapped in compelling beats, echo hip hop when it comes to delivery, vivid storytelling, and imparting wisdom, but they’re just as at home at a poetry night as on a street corner. His raw, introspective journey continues with his solo output, with 2023 album ‘Learn to Swim, A Mixtape’ marking him out as a vital voice on the contemporary music scene – particularly the title track, which injects some much-needed clarity into the world. Following up his statement feature on Metronomy’s dreamy recent single ‘With Balance’ with a new single of his own, ‘All You Can Do Is Try’, it seems he won’t be running out of words any time soon.