Bonita Jalane know her name. Since 2012 the sultry singer has been a household name.
Combining her “Sweet” sound with the brass streets of Brooklyn, she has become one of the top artists in the industry.
Her soulful voice can be found on hooks for JR Writer, Camron, Hell Rell, 40cal and more. She has performed industry with industry greats such as Chris Brown, Trey Song, Monica, Lyfe Jennings, Fantasia, 3 Six Mafia, Biz Markie, Juelz Santana, Ghostface, Bubba Sparks, Lil Mo, Dondria, David Banner-and the list of artists and opportunities she seized went on.
In 2009, she showed her versatility by being featured on BET’s “How Sweet the Sound” tour. She could work with gospel greats such as Marvin Sapp and Hezekiah Walker. Her distinct sound became more familiar around Atlanta’s blossoming town.
Her hit single “Stare” won best music video at the 2015 Rendezvous film festival. In 2016 and 2017 Bonita opened for Grammy award-winning Violinist Damien Escobar on his “Boundless tour.”
In 2017, she released the single “Retro” paying homage to when music was smooth and classic. In 2022 her single “Retro,” played for the first time on mainstream radio and stayed in rotation at Majic 107.5 for about a month. She also sang the same hit song on Atlanta’s fox news show 11 alive.
In January of 2023, she held a live show that brought out the industry. This gave her supporters and industry heavy hitters an up close and intimate chance to hear her sound. This garnered her some major moves in the industry. Being true to the entertainer she is, her performance set the stage for what’s to come next in her career. Her distinctive sound has proven she is here to stay!
We had the amazing opportunity of sitting down with Bonita to discuss her passion and journey into music.
Can you reflect back on the first time you realized you held a gift for singing?
Bonita Jalane: Wow, that’s an amazing question. To be honest I have known when I realized the smile that I brought when I would sing to my mom and grandma. And then in elementary, I was asked to do a solo and I held a note for so long that my choir director told me to do that and he promised that everyone would clap. I had to be no more than 7 or 8 and that’s all I need to hear. I feel my gift grew as I grew. I was the youngest to join my church choir as well as the first freshman in high school to be allowed to join the gospel choir! Previously the rule was sophomores and above only.
How did growing up in Brooklyn have an impact on your musical style?
Bonita Jalane: Entirely! Growing up in Brooklyn my family kept me singing in my church choir so the soul was taught early. Then as I became a teenager I started working with Dipset. The thing that made Camron and Juelz choose my hooks and want to work with me was the rawness they felt in my vocal tone.
If you could use four words to describe your sound, what would they be and why?
Bonita Jalane: Soulful, Nostalgic, Raw, and seasoned.
Can you share a little about your experience on BET’s “How Sweet the Sound”?
Bonita Jalane: Wow, y’all went far back in the archives for that question. The best experience and what I needed brought me back to my roots being around gospel legends!
How has your sound evolved since your first hit single “Stare” and your most recent single “Retro”?
Bonita Jalane: Stare was the first song I ever won an award for which I cried like a baby. Retro was the first single I ever had play on a nationally syndicated radio station here in ATL. I will never forget that feeling. But my most recent single released in March is Viral! Viral just played on the radio in LA and I still can’t believe I now have multiple songs that have played on the radio.
What can we expect next from you?
Bonita Jalane: So much I have had a taste of going Viral so now I plan on just keep working. Keep putting out music and content that speaks to the soul. I want people to say that I touched them in some way. I want to help heal someone with my voice. I want my light to shine so bright that they know the only one that can bless this much is God!
What message do you hope your supporters take away from your music?
Bonita Jalane: I hope you find your favorite Bonita Jalane record. I want everyone to embrace my music and their own so that it resonates with their journey and their story. I want to feel like I am theirs and that I share a special connection with everyone that hears my voice.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
Bonita Jalane: I am her and she is me. I hustled so hard though, throughout my whole journey, even people who are household names asked me how I was able to get certain opportunities. I just happen to be pretty too! I’m so proud of so many pretty women who hustle and don’t just think because we are pretty that things are handed to us. We gonna hustle hard too. I feel like that’s my definition.
Connect with Bonita Online:
https://www.instagram.com/bonitasings/
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