Breaking boundaries with Bonj

In any given scenario, the stealthy feline species is known for its remarkable ability to wait and strike only when the time is right. Its spirit is characterised by patience, curiosity and adventure. As social Darwinists argue, human beings are subject to the same laws as animals: life is a struggle for survival where the weak diminish and the strong dominate. Bonj is conscious of this and like the lioness she has courage, skill and the ability to make the right move to seize the day.

Her musical journey is one of exploration. She got serious about music at the age of 15 and after completing high school at the National School of the Arts (NSA) in Johannesburg she headed off to the University of Cape Town to pursue jazz studies. As luck would have it, the newly established electronic band TheCity was auditioning vocalists. At first she was hesitant to try out but a friend convinced her to go for it. She made the cut and delved into the music with full force.

“That was actually my introduction to electronic music, the so-called ‘devil’s music’, because at NSA I was doing church music 24/7. I was a staunch Christian," she says. "So TheCity introduced me to electronic music, live performances and gave me an opportunity to write and collaborate with new musicians in a new genre.”

TheCity is also where the musician found her life partner, ex-Kiffness member and producer Clem Carr, who sits across the table from her during our interview. The two moved to Joburg where musician and label owner Tresor discovered Bonj at Kitcheners in Braamfontein. Two singles followed after the move: ‘Till the Tide’ and a recent collaboration with DJ Zinhle, titled on ‘Against the Grain’. Soon after she opened for Sam Smith in Cape Town earlier in 2019.

“My mind was blown," Bonj says about being booked for that concert. "I just didn’t understand what was happening because I didn’t have any popular single out in the country. Also, globally I haven’t made enough noise. Before the call for the Sam Smith gig, I was performing at Carfax [in Newtown, Johannesburg], doing a favour for a friend. The next thing the call came and I was like, 'Yeah, that’s exactly why I'm doing all of this, that’s why we’ve been giving it our all.' All those years were preparation for that moment.”

Bonj draws inspiration from the dynamic complexities of black people’s lives, her home in Dobsonville, Soweto, and the sounds that she grew up with. “I’m inspired by my life experiences and my journey through all the hardships; my childhood soundtrack basically. It keeps me going and makes me feel like I’ve got a purpose."

Innovation and breaking boundaries is a common element in Bonj's craft – visually and musically. This can be explained by her unwavering loyalty and relentless devotion to Afrofuturism.

“Afrofuturism is something that I believe in and I love to explore in my music." At this point Clem can’t resist the urge to interrupt Bonj: “She’s being too modest! We were definitely pioneering the stuff in Cape Town, along with Black Major and Shiba Melissa Mazaza. We were discussing the stuff in 2009, working through what we wanted to do with the music and what she wanted to do with her voice, especially in this time of change and technology and where Africa fitted in all of this. So it’s interesting that you should bring it up. This was a very big part of how we started discovering ourselves and our identities.”

Electronic music doesn’t enjoy quite as much attention as other genres in SA, but its elements are being fused everywhere. "At some point I think it’s going to grow," Bonj says. "I feel like it’s definitely going to infiltrate into mainstream sound because I can hear it in gqom already, also what Sho Madjozi is doing, Moonchild and DJ Maphorisa. Even some of the sounds I’ve been hearing in amapiano."

Bonj's upcoming album is scheduled for release in 2020 and she says her fans can expect an eclectic offering.

“There’s going to be dance tracks with lots of soul. It's mainly produced by Clem and features some collaborators like DJ Zinhle. I made this really amazing song with Sketchy Bongo, it’s also my next single. It’s very moody, about this enigma controlling me and I can’t explain it. I’m so excited about the production. It’s got a bit of everything in me,” Bonj says.