We’re looking forward to introducing you to Bonita Jalane Canady . Check out our conversation below.
Bonita Jalane, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m learning from my mistakes, my lessons, my ups my downs, my wins, my highs and my lows! I’m learning, and growing from my journey
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Bonita Jalane—an independent artist, storyteller, and creative force blending R&B, soul, jazz, and hip-hop into immersive sonic experiences. I’m originally from Brooklyn and now based in Atlanta, and my music is deeply personal, rooted in healing, truth, and emotional honesty.
My brand stands for authenticity, transformation, and elevation. I’m not just creating music—I’m creating moments, visuals, and full-circle experiences that speak to people’s real lives. My latest project, Kept Kissing Frogs, is a deeply personal album that chronicles my journey through heartbreak, betrayal, self-discovery, and ultimately, self-love. I also just premiered it through a one-woman show that blended music, monologue, and theater, turning my story into a live experience.
What makes my work unique is that I’m not afraid to be vulnerable—I use my voice, literally and figuratively, to help others heal while I heal too. I’m currently focused on sharing Kept Kissing Frogs with the world, growing my impact as a creative entrepreneur, and building spaces where music, storytelling, and empowerment meet.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Mom she helped shape the person I am she saw the good and bad she saw the happiest moments and some of the lowest
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power the moment I realized silence wasn’t protecting me—it was suffocating me. That shift really happened during the process of creating Kept Kissing Frogs. I was tired of shrinking myself to make others comfortable, tired of pretending I was okay just to keep pushing forward.
Instead of numbing the pain, I picked up a pen, stepped into the studio, and let the truth speak. Every lyric, every melody became a release. The more I shared, the more I healed—and the more others connected with their own stories through mine. That’s when I knew my pain had purpose. Now I use it as fuel, as art, and most importantly, as a reminder that vulnerability is strength.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—100 percent. What you see publicly is who I am privately: vulnerable, passionate, creative, healing, evolving. I’ve spent too many years shrinking, masking, or dimming parts of myself to make others comfortable. Now, I lead with truth.
The version of me you hear in my music, see on stage, or watch in interviews is the real me—flaws, fire, faith, and all. I don’t have the energy or desire to perform a version of myself that isn’t honest. What I create is rooted in real life, real emotions, and real experiences. I believe that’s what connects with people the most—and it’s the only way I know how to move forward.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my listeners and supporters would miss the way my music makes them feel seen, heard, and understood. They’d miss the honesty in my storytelling, the healing in my voice, and the way I turn real-life experiences into art that speaks directly to the soul.
They’d miss the authenticity—the way I show up, not just as an artist, but as a woman who’s walked through the fire and chose to sing through the smoke. I don’t just make songs; I create moments, safe spaces, and reminders that you’re not alone.
I think they’d miss the connection we’ve built—not just through music, but through vulnerability, resilience, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonitajalane.com
- Instagram: @bonitasings
- Twitter: @bonitasings
- Facebook: @bonitajalane
- Youtube: Bonita Jalane
Image Credits
Raphael Simien photography
