The soulful singer-songwriter opens up about spiritual inspiration, creative ownership, healing through music, and embracing authenticity in every chapter of her evolution.
Bonita Jalane isn’t just making music, she’s creating experiences rooted in healing, elevation, vulnerability, and soul. With a sound that effortlessly blends R&B, jazz, hip hop, and soul, the rising artist is stepping fully into her authenticity while inviting listeners into every chapter of her evolution. From spiritually guided studio sessions to directing her own visuals and embracing the transformative journey behind Kept Kissing Frogs, Bonita’s artistry is layered with purpose, passion, and fearless honesty. Whether she’s speaking through music or serving loc inspiration with intentional self-care routines, one thing is clear: Bonita Jalane is operating in a frequency all her own.
Mo Clark: “So High” feels deeply personal and spiritually elevated, how do you tap into those moments of divine inspiration, and what does that creative space look like for you?
Bonita: So High was one of those divine moments I can’t even fully explain, it honestly felt like I was channeling something bigger than me. It felt like the angels were speaking through me. The first verse came out almost like a freestyle, and then everything else just flowed. I had already created the hook with my producer, and I ended up writing the verses and bridge right there in the studio during a session I booked in LA. My creative space is very intentional but also very free. I like to set the vibe, light a candle, sit with myself, and just allow whatever I’m feeling to come through. A lot of my music comes from real experiences, but also from tapping into that spiritual place where I’m not overthinking, just feeling and creating. That’s when the magic happens.
Mo Clark: You’ve taken full creative control by directing your own visuals, how important is ownership in your artistry, and how does it shape the stories you choose to tell?
Bonita: Ownership is everything to me. It allows me to be honest and intentional with the stories I tell. When you have full creative control, you’re not filtering your truth, you’re presenting it exactly how it was meant to be received. Directing my own visuals gives me the freedom to bring my vision to life in a way that aligns with my message. My artistry is rooted in healing, growth, and real life experiences, so it’s important that every visual reflects that authentically. Ownership lets me stand fully in my voice and my purpose.
Mo Clark: Your journey in music spans over a decade, what defining moment shifted you from simply making music to truly owning your voice and narrative?
Bonita: I think the biggest shift came when I stopped creating for approval and started creating from truth. After going through real life experiences, heartbreak, growth, and healing, I realized my story had power. Viral was a turning point for me, and then creating Kept Kissing Frogs really solidified it. I wasn’t just making songs anymore, I was telling my story unapologetically. That’s when I stepped into owning my voice and my narrative fully.
Mo Clark: With your album Kept Kissing Frogs exploring love and self discovery, what lessons from your personal experiences were you most intentional about sharing?
Bonita: Kept Kissing Frogs is really about transformation. The biggest lesson I wanted to share is that every experience, good or bad, serves a purpose. Frogs for me stands for Forgive, Release, Overcome, and Grow. I wanted people to understand that even the heartbreak, the disappointment, the confusion, it’s all part of becoming who you’re meant to be. I was very intentional about showing the full journey, from the choices I made, to the pain I went through, to finally choosing myself. The message is to keep going until you love yourself fully.
Mo Clark: As you continue to evolve across genres like R&B; hip hop, jazz, and soul, how do you balance experimentation with staying true to who Bonita Jalane is as an artist?
Bonita: For me, it always comes back to feeling. No matter the genre, if it feels like me, it is me. I grew up loving different styles of music, so blending R&B;, jazz, hip hop, and soul is natural for me. But the core of who I am, my storytelling, my emotion, and my purpose, that never changes. As long as the message is real and the energy is authentic, I can explore freely without ever losing myself in the process.
Mo Clark: As a loc girlie, what are your go to products, and tips for maintaining?
Bonita: As a loc girlie, hydration and scalp care are everything for me. I love Bask and Lather products, they’ve been amazing for my scalp. I also used to go to Napstar in Atlanta and New York, and they have a really good oil that I still use. Lately, I’ve been using a lock oil from Beautiful Locs Studio, and it’s been keeping my scalp healthy and nourished. My stylist Bria at Beautiful Locs Studio also helps me maintain a healthy and clean scalp with treatments and detox, at least every 3 to 6 weeks.
Rose water is a must for me, it helps keep my locs hydrated in between my retwists. I also try not to over manipulate my hair and focus on keeping it moisturized and clean. Simple routine, but consistency is key
As her star continues to rise, Bonita Jalane proves that true artistry begins the moment you stop creating for validation and start creating from truth. Her music is more than entertainment — it’s reflection, release, healing, and growth wrapped into melodies that linger long after the song ends. With divine inspiration guiding her pen, ownership fueling her vision, and authenticity anchoring every genre she touches, Bonita is showing the world what it looks like to evolve unapologetically. And if So High and Kept Kissing Frogsare any indication of what’s ahead, this is only the beginning of an even greater elevation.
