Words by Rachel June

Who knew Christian music could feel like this?

UK vocalist Sondae brings faith-filled indie RnB worship, pairing his signature soft, dreamy vocals with beats that gently bounce and breathe. Going from strength to strength, his newest album BOY blends standout solo tracks with epic collaborations alongside SIV, Ochaé, LEON DRAMIS and Crystal Mills.

The music paints in colour as you surrender to the sound waves. His soothing voice reaches toward heaven, inviting you into prayer. Without listening closely to the lyrics, you might not even realise you are hearing worship music. It doesn’t try to be anything else, yet its uniqueness allows the style to stand entirely on its own - almost like a new genre.

The glory, to God. The music, for us.

Who is Sondae?

I’m a Christian artist who makes alternative worship music. I’m based in Brighton, born in Portugal, and spent some time in Cape Verde. I’m still figuring out who I am and taking things slowly, but ultimately I’m a child of God who loves to make music for Him.

For someone yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?

I’d say it’s alternative Christian music. Alternative in sound, and maybe a bit in content too. I’m pretty far from mainstream worship. I do worship the Lord and talk about how glorious and wonderful He is, but I also speak on human struggles, just with a more modern touch.

What has challenged you most in the industry?

Longevity and patience. Having the patience to sow a seed, not let your hands go idle, and keep working on it while waiting for the Lord to make something fruitful… or not. The uncertainty is the hardest part.

That patience is crucial if you want people to really listen, connect, and create something meaningful, not just something that gathers numbers for self-gain. We don’t live for ourselves, we live for other people. If we live only for ourselves, then what’s the point?

What’s your writing process?

Most of the time I start with a melody, unless there’s a phrase or concept that’s really solid, like a life-changing perspective. Melody first, then lyrics. I hum, play guitar. I’m very drawn to melodies.

What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?

I listen to everything. In one day I could listen to rock, hip-hop, R&B, indie. I go for whatever makes me feel something.

I can’t do metal... I tried. I also don’t mess with folk music.

Is there a story behind the name Sondae?

After a really bad breakup, my first one, after a five-year relationship, I became depressed. I’d skip uni, stay home, cry. That went on for three or four months. I had no friends, I was fresh to the UK, and I was doing a lot of things far from the Lord.

One day I said, “Lord, I’m tired. I need to reset. I want to be Your friend - tell me what to do.” And He said, “Draw near to me.”

So I decided to do a 40-day fast. It was nearly summer. Every day I’d walk to the beach, sit for hours, and pray. I’d never done anything like that. God was literally the only friend I had, the only point of contact. So I talked to Him about everything. My English wasn’t great, my music was eh. I was just asking God to be His friend.

After 40 days, on my walk home, God asked me, “Which day do you choose to rest?” I said Sunday. He asked, “If you could describe Jesus in one word, what would it be?” I said, “Great. Full of greatness.”

And He said, “Today, I call you Sondae.”

I didn’t get it. But the Holy Spirit kept pressing, so I wrote down the word “Sondae”. I was told to break the word into two: Son - like the Sun, Jesus. Dae - I Googled it, and it means greatness in Korean.

So Sondae means Jesus is great. Wow. I started tearing up. Since then, I’ve known the Lord is with me.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as an artist?

My greatest strength is the Lord. If you’d asked me last year, I’d have said I’m patient, or that I don’t do it for the numbers, or that I’m unlike other artists. But that stuff creeps in eventually.

God keeps me on the right path. He keeps me going. He motivates me, corrects me, encourages me, lifts me up.

My biggest weakness is probably comparing myself to others. And managing my finances…

What artists have influenced your work?

Thalles Roberto - a Brazilian Christian artist. His music sounds nothing like mine, but the spirit behind it is powerful. It’s full of the Holy Spirit.

A bit of Masego, a bit of Daniel Caesar.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Cleo Sol, Madison Ryann Ward, HILLARI, OCHÉ.

I’d like to have a sit down with Montell Fish, to see what’s going on in his mind. It would be cool to do an interview with him, just chopping it up.

What made you get into music?

I’ve always loved it. It’s something I held onto and never let go of. Music makes me feel something, it puts me in a world of imagination. It’s beautiful.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Be excellent.

Know why you’re doing this.

Be patient.

Keep your head down and keep going.

Who or what inspires you fashion-wise?

I kinda just dress any type of way, but I guess Pharrell Williams, maybe Daniel Caesar.

What can we expect in 2026?

Hopefully a tour.

Hopefully me losing some weight - I’m getting chubby out here, Christmas is whooping my ass.

Good things.