Hidden Conversation with Bonj

For the next edition of Hidden Spaces, we sat down with Bonj to talk about her journey back into the spotlight as a solo artist. After years of playing with peers, touring in other people’s bands, and navigating the highs and lows of both music and life, she is reclaiming her voice on her own terms. From opening for Sam Smith on one of the biggest stages of her life, to now preparing for intimate, soul-baring performances, Bonj reflects on growth, courage, and the joy of stepping back into her power.

What follows is a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about resilience, artistry, and the courage it takes to keep choosing music.

You mentioned you’re preparing for tour, including Tanzania. What does this moment mean for you personally?

I’m so excited. Tanzania is one of my favorite places, and getting the chance to go there feels like perfect timing. I applied for funding to help me do shows because honestly, I hadn’t been focusing on my solo career for a while. I was wrapped up in performing with my peers, like being part of Cur Stey T’s live band and touring with them. My own music ended up on the backburner.
So, getting this funding feels like the nudge I needed. It’s almost like life saying, “No more excuses — get back to it.” I’ve been putting it off for so long because of everything happening in my personal life, but now it feels right. It’s perfect timing. I’m really excited to reclaim my place on stage again.

I last saw you live when you opened for Sam Smith — that was such a huge platform. How do you look back on that moment now?

Oh wow, that was magical. I was incredibly nervous, but being handpicked by Sam Smith to open was so affirming. I had just moved back home to Johannesburg after seven years in Ghana, where I studied and was very involved in the scene there. Coming home, signing with a major label, and then suddenly opening for Sam Smith on the biggest stage I had ever been on — it was life-changing.
The first night I even had a guest artist with me, DJ Zinhle, and it felt like such a full-circle moment, especially since we had just released a single together. That show gave me visibility, it was the break I needed, and it made me feel like I could plant my flag and say, “I’m here.”

With Hidden Spaces coming up, what does it represent for you at this point in your journey?

It represents me reclaiming my confidence and my power. I haven’t released a solo project since 2021, and even then, it was mid-COVID, so things never really got off the ground. Since then, life has happened — personal challenges, getting busy in other projects, putting myself last.
Hidden Spaces is where I step back into myself. It’s a chance to share my growth, to show the audience how I’ve evolved as a performer and as a person. More than anything, it’s about reminding myself that this is what I love, this is what I was born to do, and I’m ready to keep moving forward.

What changed for you that made you feel ready now? Why is this the right time?

Honestly, it’s been about courage. For over a decade, I worked closely with my best friend and partner at the time — someone I trusted musically and personally. That relationship created a comfort zone, but also a codependence. When it ended, I had to ask myself: “Am I really capable of carrying on alone?”
The answer is yes. I had to remind myself that I started in this industry without him, so surely I can keep going. This season has been about proving to myself that I am resilient, I am strong, and I can trust my own power. And I’m not alone — I have a beautiful support system, incredible collaborators, and friends who believe in me. That gave me the push to say, “You’ve always had it, Bonj. Now go and show it.”

Are you working on new material, and will audiences hear it at Hidden Spaces?

Absolutely. I’ve been writing again, and while I was quiet on the recording side, I’ve been very active on stage. Performing with different live projects has been like a masterclass — I’ve grown so much, I’ve been inspired by the people I’ve worked with, and it’s built my confidence.
At Hidden Spaces, people can expect new songs, some unreleased ones, and even songs I never got the chance to perform before. I want to be as vulnerable and sincere as possible on that stage. For anyone who last saw me in 2019, I hope they’ll see the growth and the evolution. I feel like a different person now, and I can’t wait to share that.

Your voice and sound have always carried a soulful, African essence, but also a global reach. How do you describe your soundscape today?

I always say I’m an African girl with a global vision. Wherever I go, I’m representing where I come from — my influences, my heritage, my people. At the same time, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and collaborate with artists around the world, and those experiences shape me too.
The sound I’ve created is something I call future soul — it’s a blend of everything I love: gospel, neo-soul, jazz, R&B, kwaito. I take pride in being authentic and paying homage to the music that raised me, while also pushing it forward. There’s always pressure to sound a certain way, to write only in one language, or fit a box — but I’ve learned to silence that noise. My sound is me.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future?

Honestly, it’s the privilege of being on stage again. Every show is a chance to grow — as a singer, a songwriter, a performer. It feels like another chance at life, and I don’t take that lightly. Not everyone gets to know their purpose, and I feel so lucky that mine is music.
I’m excited to keep living that purpose, to impact people’s lives with my art, and to keep building. The nerves, the joy, the intimacy — I want it all. And I want to take every opportunity I get and make something beautiful out of it.

Any parting words you’d like to leave with people reading this?

If anything, I just want to inspire. I want people who come to my shows to walk away feeling powerful, vulnerable, brave — even sexy. I want the confidence I carry on stage to shine onto others, to encourage them.
And if I had to give advice, it would be: stay true to yourself, be authentic, connect with like-minded people, and move with courage instead of fear. Trust yourself and trust the process. The noise will always be there, but don’t let it drown you out.

Bonj performs next in the Hidden Spaces series on Thursday, 28 August at The Fort in Sandton.