Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, J.S. Ondara fell in love with Bob Dylan and moved to Minneapolis Minnesota when he was 20 to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. His debut album, Tales of America, is an examination of the American Dream from an outsider's perspective; an introspection on a universal matter. Lead singles "American Dream", "Lebanon", and "Saying Goodbye" have cemented J.S. as an NPR Slingshot Artist and a Rolling Stone Artist You Need To Know.