Independent pop and R&B artist Tajonyx has spent more than fifteen years developing a distinctive creative identity, combining expressive vocals, ambitious visual storytelling and a commitment to artistic independence. Drawing inspiration from the theatrical energy of early-2000s pop, her music balances infectious melodies with personal expression, reflecting an artist determined to evolve on her own terms.
Her latest single ‘These Hands’ introduces a more provocative and self-assured direction, exploring sexual liberation, desire and the freedom to embrace adulthood without compromise. Combining hypnotic production with commanding vocals and nostalgic Y2K influences, the track recalls the confidence and spectacle of artists such as Destiny's Child and Britney Spears while maintaining a contemporary pop sensibility.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
My mother's voice. Without question. I grew up in a very musical household, and some of my earliest memories involve listening to my mother sing and harmonizing with her while we cleaned the house. Her voice was my first introduction to the beauty of music and the power of vocal expression. Long before I understood anything about vocal technique or music theory, I understood how hearing someone sing could make you feel something. I think that fascination with the human voice has stayed with me throughout my life.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up on a beautiful mixture of gospel, R&B, and pop music. Being a child of the '90s and early 2000s, I was fortunate enough to witness an incredible era of music. Artists like Brandy, Aaliyah, Mýa, and Michael Jackson had a tremendous influence on me.
What I loved most about that era was how much emphasis artists placed on the entire experience. The vocals, the choreography, the fashion, the music videos. Everything felt intentional. I think that's why, even today, I approach my artistry from such a cinematic perspective. I never just want to make a good song. I want to create an experience.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Mýa's Moodring! It was actually the first album I ever purchased, and it holds a very special place in my heart. I was discovering so much about myself during that period, and songs like "Whatever Bitch" gave me the courage to embrace my femininity at a time when doing so wasn't always easy. That album represented a certain kind of freedom and confidence that I desperately wanted for myself. It's amazing how music can give you permission to embrace parts of yourself that the world might be telling you to suppress.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Oh my goodness, there are SO many! (Laughs.) I love pop music so much that it's almost impossible to narrow it down to just one song. I've had that feeling countless times where I hear a record and think, "UGH! I wish I had written that!"
Most recently, though, it's "BAGS OF YEN" by Bree Runway. I'm OBSESSED! There's something so infectious about her approach to pop music. The attitude, the production, the personality! I love records that are unapologetically bold and feel like they have their own identity. That's the kind of music that excites me both as a listener and as a songwriter.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My songwriting process can be incredibly spontaneous! Inspiration doesn't particularly care about my schedule. (Laughs.) I've literally woken up at three o'clock in the morning with an entire production concept playing in my head. When that happens, I immediately grab my phone and start recording voice memos. I'll hum melodies, beatbox drum patterns, and even vocalize the different instruments I'm imagining in the arrangement.
I'm also a very visual songwriter. Sometimes I can see the music video or a particular scene in my head before the song is even finished. For me, songwriting is about capturing an emotion or an idea and then building an entire world around it. It's genuinely one of my favorite parts of being an artist.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Oh, my current rotation is all over the place in the best possible way! (Laughs.) I've been listening to Adéla, Chlöe Bailey, Tinashe, Jae Stephens, Kehlani, Coco Jones, MISSU, and MNEK.
I'm a huge lover of pop and R&B, especially artists who aren't afraid to experiment with their sound. I love interesting vocal arrangements, unconventional production, and music that has personality. I'm always listening for those little creative choices that make a record stand out. I think being a fan of music is just as important as being a musician. You have to maintain that sense of excitement and curiosity about what other artists are creating.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Janet Jackson! Without hesitation. She is a MASSIVE inspiration to me, both musically and visually.
What I've always admired about Janet is her ability to marry incredible pop music with storytelling, choreography, sensuality, and substance. Her performances are entire productions, and that's something I've always aspired to create with my own artistry. I also genuinely believe our music would complement each other beautifully. I can envision a show where my set transitions seamlessly into hers, giving the audience one cohesive musical experience. That would be an absolute dream come true.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Connection. Without question. There's something incredibly profound about creating something from your own experiences, vulnerabilities, and imagination, and then watching it resonate with complete strangers. I recently hosted the premiere of my music video "These Hands," and seeing people come together in real life to celebrate my artistry was genuinely one of the most healing experiences I've had in my career.
We live in a world where social media can make artists feel incredibly insignificant. You're constantly bombarded with numbers, algorithms, and comparisons. Sometimes it's easy to forget that your music is actually reaching real people. But then you stand in a room filled with people who appreciate what you've created, and suddenly all that noise disappears. You're reminded that your work matters beyond a screen. That human connection is why I make music. Everything else is secondary.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The disparity between artistic talent and access to opportunity. As an independent Black gender-expansive artist, I've had to become so much more than a singer and songwriter. I'm also a creative director, producer, marketer, financier, and sometimes even my own publicist. There are incredibly talented artists who may never receive the visibility they deserve simply because they don't have access to the right funding, industry relationships, or resources.
Social media has complicated that even further because we're often encouraged to measure artistic value through engagement metrics rather than the actual quality or impact of the work. What frustrates me most is that I know the talent is there. The vision is there. The work ethic is there. But the playing field isn't always level.
Still, I refuse to allow those circumstances to dictate how far I can go. I've invested too much into my craft to let an algorithm or somebody else's inability to recognize my potential determine my future.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Do it tired. Do it scared. Do it discouraged. Don't let your own mind talk you out of your purpose. I think one of the greatest obstacles we face as artists is sometimes the voice inside our own heads. One day, that voice is your biggest cheerleader, reminding you of how talented and capable you are. The next day, it's picking you apart because of something someone said about you, a rejection you experienced, or because you've fallen into the trap of comparing your journey to someone else's.
And if you're not careful, you'll start believing that voice more than you believe in your own dreams. I've learned that you cannot always wait until you feel confident, inspired, or completely fearless to pursue your purpose. Sometimes you have to show up exhausted. Sometimes you have to create through disappointment. Sometimes you have to chase a dream that feels impossibly far away. Keep going anyway. Because your purpose doesn't disappear just because your confidence occasionally does. And I would much rather spend my life pursuing something I believe in, even when it's difficult, than look back one day and wonder what could have happened if I hadn't allowed fear to make my decisions for me.
-
Tajonyx's new single 'These Hands' is out now. Check it out in the player below.