Joshua Idehen

British-Nigerian artist Joshua Idehen has recently released a deeply emotional album that blends poetry with dance music, and this June he will perform at INmusic Festival #18.

At a time when global narratives are increasingly shaped by negative news and a sense of collective exhaustion, spoken word artist Joshua Idehen offers a powerful and necessary response through his new album I Know You’re Hurting, Everyone Is Hurting, Everyone Is Trying, You Have Got To Try, released on March 6 this year. Created in collaboration with producer Ludvig Parment, the album delivers a unique fusion of poetry, electronic music, and contemporary spoken word expression. It is a richly layered and emotionally resonant project that moves between grief, euphoria, and hope, offering listeners both comfort and a call to action.

The project follows the viral success of the track Mum Does The Washing, which propelled Idehen into wider recognition, earning support from key figures on the UK music scene as well as appearances at major festivals and on television. Behind this breakthrough lies years of artistic development. Although he was initially more interested in film than poetry, a pivotal moment came when he heard Vexed by Dizzee Rascal, inspiring him to begin writing. Over time, he established himself as a notable voice within London’s spoken word scene, collaborating with a range of musical projects and artists.