Listen to J.S. Ondara

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “an invigorating new voice in American folk music,” Nairobi-born singer-songwriter J.S. Ondara is an artist you need to know.

Growing up in Kenya, Ondara fell in love with American alt-rock and the music of Bob Dylan. As a teenager, he began writing his own songs and poems—despite not being able to afford instruments—before making the move to Minneapolis in 2013 to pursue a career in music. Inspired by his new surroundings, Ondara’s acclaimed debut album, Tales of America, explores the reality of the immigrant experience, offering a fresh take on the American dream.