Iyeoka Okoawo (/iːˈjoʊkə/; born April 28, 1975) is an American singer and poet of Nigerian heritage, as well as a recording artist, activist, educator and TEDGlobal Fellow. Her music incorporates elements of soul, R&B, rock, hip hop and jazz. Okoawo began her musical career by founding the group The Rock by Funk Tribe, a collective of musicians that allowed her to blend her poetry with jazz, blues, funk and gospel. In 2004, she released her first solo full‑length album of poem‑songs, Black and Blues, through Phanai Records. She then began touring and appeared on other artists’ albums, including The Press Project’s Get Right and Memoirs of the Tempo by Tempo Valley. In 2008, Iyeoka released her second fusion album of poetry and music, Hum The Bass Line, again on Phanai Records. That same year, she recorded a cover of U2’s hit “Desire” for the compilation In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2. The album featured Grammy‑winning and Grammy‑nominated African artists such as Angélique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir, with proceeds benefiting the Global Fund. In 2009, Iyeoka shifted her sound and songwriting approach, beginning work with producer David Franz (in collaboration with her original producer Francis Phan) to create more traditional song structures. That year she released two EPs — This Time Around and Run Into the Rain — introducing a style she described as “electronic soul,” blending pop, R&B, dance and hip hop influences.
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Breakdown Mode
This Time Around
Say Yes
Black Coffee
Thunder
Every Second Every Hour
I Am Descending
Hum The Bassline
Poem For Love
Who Would Follow
Sweet Song
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