From grooving on stage with MiCasa to whisking up the best piri-piri sauce in SA, J’Something is all about cooking up a good life.
I’ve rarely been so struck by someone’s positive energy. He walks in, dressed in an infectious smile and pumped from his music gig the previous evening, J’Something (real name João Da Fonseca) is filled with a zest for life and ready to engage.
Beautiful chaos
It’s been an incredible year for the award-winning musician, cook and entrepreneur. He’s recently opened a restaurant called Artistry, collaborated with premier comedy group Goliath and Goliath, released a new hit called ‘Rock3t’ with his award-winning group MiCasa, and has been performing at concerts around the globe, all while making new memories with family and friends – and that’s just half the year ticked off. Your boy’s schedule is definitely jam-packed!
“I’ve actually been in a really good space. I have been living one day at a time, trying to take in as much of the magic that happens in our lives on a day to day basis,” he says. “I feel really happy, and thankful for moments of peace and the moments of chaos, too! Right now, I’m working on caring a little less about what people think about me and just doing me, with less borders. “I’m not after balance. I love what I call ‘beautiful chaos’,” he admits.
“Balance isn’t always a 50/50 equation. I believe that from a bird’s-eye view or on a more macro scale, my life would look quite balanced, but when you zoom in it can look chaotic. “Even so, when I look back at 2023, I have been spending a bit more time on trying to eat well, get to the gym and out in the park, trying to create moments for my family and I, and also making sure I’m spending time on music.”
Though things may get crazy at times, J’Something’s passion for connecting with his fellow humans endures. “Sharing light, receiving light, being amidst light… This for me has to be the dopest experience I have ever had in my lifetime,” he enthuses. “I believe our purpose isn’t defined by a job title. We are all beautiful creatures that have so much light and love inside, and letting it out and sharing it with others is what I believe I am here to do. It’s my purpose.”
Celebrating culture
Speaking of sharing his gifts, the self-professed foodie – whose first cookbook, Something’s Cooking (2017), was a massive hit – has just teamed up with The Lazy Makoti to curate a new cookbook celebrating recipes by ordinary South Africans. And you can bet the excitement is real!
“Honestly, it has been so much fun. It’s a book we’re doing with Amarula liqueur. For me, Amarula brings back so many special memories. Cooking with it, however, was something I hadn’t really done before. But I tell you what, after experimenting with it, we came up with some seriously delicious dishes,” he says. “The savoury side of things blew me away. I did this fried chicken and waffle recipe with an Amarula caramel sauce… OMG! So good.”
Want to know what else is ‘so good’? Artistry, which opened in Sandton in February this year. The restaurant serves as both a dining establishment and a venue for music shows, art exhibitions and other events. The muso-meets-chef admits that the journey towards launch day was quite daunting. “With business, the opening is the ‘easy’ part – longevity is the real goal,” he explains. “It’s been a scary journey and still is. I use the word ‘scary’ because it truly is a business that you have to show up for day in, day out, and you can’t afford to have an ‘off’ day.”
This is not his first kitchen rodeo – he shut the doors of his first restaurant, Something’s Cooking by J at Times Square Casino in Pretoria, at the end of 2019 after two years, to move into the Joburg dining scene… then Covid! “When it comes to Artistry, I really didn’t want to open just another restaurant. I wanted to create a platform that celebrated culture, showcased the arts, and a space for us to connect as a community to celebrate life. It’s been an amazing couple of months already. The whole place really makes me happy; it feels like my home.”
The three-storey venue comprises a street-level lounge bar, a performance space in the middle and a rooftop restaurant. Rooted in African culture, with a touch of his Portuguese heritage, Artistry’s menu features piri-piri chicken, delectable lamb burgers and croquettes to die for. “The food is simple, but then again simplicity is complexity refined,” he notes.
“I’m working on caring a little less about what people think about me and just doing me, with less borders.”
Entertaining the masses
We get to chatting about his biggest TV moments. Previously a judge on My Kitchen Rules SA, the artist has finally made it onto a music show, The Masked Singer SA on SABC1. Along with Somizi Mhlongo, Sithelo Shozi and Skhumba Hlophe, J’Something has been playing detective as a panelist. All the guessing and wacky costumes have been a vibe. “I have never had this much fun filming a TV show. Like, honestly, it’s a show for us to connect, laugh and play together,” he raves. “I just couldn’t believe who they managed to get to be under those masks… It’s a brilliant show full of surprises!”
Aside from his TV projects, I had to ask about the music side of things. Like all other MiCasa fans around the globe, I have been waiting in anticipation for their next banging record. “There is something in the air with us at the moment,” he teases. “We just released our single and will be releasing a lot of music over the next couple of months. We’ve been in Europe doing a bunch of shows, and now we’re working towards releasing our album next year.”
“It truly is a business that you have to show up for day in, day out, and you can’t afford to have an ‘off’ day.”
Heart and home
Married to Cordelia ‘Coco’ Godi-Da Fonseca (their eighth wedding anniversary will be in October), the two share a baby boy and an American bulldog. For the couple, it all comes down to “understanding the value of time” and spending time on each other. “This is by far one of the most important things for our happiness.” Gushing over his paw pal, he reveals that he grew up around dogs and has a special bond with Reggy. “I love my morning coffee when no one else is awake, but Reggy is there with me. It’s our little bonding session. He’s also my walking partner and being in the park with him is one of my favourite things to do with my downtime.”
In the spirit of Heritage Month, we had to get down to flavours. “We have a diverse home in terms of heritage [João was born in Portugal and Coco in Mpumalanga], but we are a household that focuses a little more on who we are than who the people that came before us were. We are all evolving constantly, but we appreciate food, cultural traditions and music, and this is how we celebrate,” he explains.
When it comes to cooking at home, Portuguese food and its flavour profile are obviously big influences: “I’m talking olive oil, garlic, the piri-piri, lemon, oregano, bay leaves and paprika. You’ll always find these in my kitchen.” As the day comes to an end, J’Something shares a message for MAN readers: “Celebrate the things that fill you with happiness and pride, and focus your energy on being a great example for those around you. But first, remember to always celebrate yourself and prioritise the pride you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror.”
“We appreciate food, cultural traditions and music, and this is how we celebrate at home.”
Rapid Fire Q&A
Favourite scent:
The smell of freshly baked bread.
Fashion must-have:
At the moment, it’s beanies.
Best cooking hack:
Less is often more!
Currently on repeat on your playlist:
Justin Nozuka, an American singer-songwriter.
Favourite cuisine:
Portuguese, Mexican and Japanese.
Go-to chill spot:
The Listening Bar at Artistry, Johannesburg.
What would your superpower be?
To never compare myself with others.
Best piece of advice you ever received:
Just take it one day at a time.
FOLLOW HIM
Facebook: J’Something
Twitter: @jsomethingmusic
Instagram: @jsomethingmusic
TikTok: @jsomethingmusic
Words: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography: Zhann Solomon
