003 / joshua idehen
Introducing Hope Heads. A series where we ask brilliant minds three big questions about how hope shows up in their lives, work, and world.
Next up: Joshua Idehen; poet, musician, and facilitator, born in the UK, raised by Nigeria, now based in Sweden. Joshua’s voice has run through some of the most urgent and celebrated records of the last decade — from Sons of Kemet to The Comet Is Coming, to his own genre-blending mixtape Learn To Swim. His debut poetry collection Songbook dropped in 2024 to critical acclaim.
In this short interview, Joshua talks about joy made from nothing, why artists need to speak up, and the silence that speaks volumes. He also spotlights @aview.fromabridge — documenting protest, perspective, and the push for Palestinian liberation.
1. What does hope look or feel like to you, in this moment, in this world?
Hope feels like my daughter smiling into the day. sounds like new music, people speaking up. it looks like my friends and I making joy out of nothing.
2. Where does hope live in your work or your industry, and what could shift if we let it lead?
There are several artists who are speaking up, with their music, with their platform, against the horror we are facing, The backlash these artists are getting is proof positive to me, that if more artists spoke up, public consensus against the genocide would be too much to ignore.
3. What is one idea, project or person that is giving you a glimpse of a more hopeful future?
The instagram account @aview.fromabridge. Go check it out
Want more hope?
Follow joshuaidehen.com @joshuaidehenMore Hope Heads landing soon.
