Today we’d like to introduce you to Honesty.
Honesty, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
As a child, I really had a passion for the arts, especially singing. I used to sing in church choirs and at family functions. I looked up to Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Delsey Morone, my mother. In middle school, I decided I would sing “Reflection” by Christina Aguilera in the talent show. I took singing lessons to prepare, but I cracked in front of the whole school! I was so embarrassed and told myself I would never pursue singing again until my junior year in college (2010/2011) when I had to sing for one of my professors. It was a Music Management class, and we had to tell her, Ms. Packer, what career we wanted to pursue in the industry. I told her I wanted to be an A&R or a stylist, but she did not believe me. The whole class convinced her that I was this amazing singer so, I was put on the spot to sing. I sang “I Heard Love Is Blind” by Amy Winehouse, which is one of my favorite songs. When I was done, she cursed me flat out and proceeded to tell me I need not do anything else because of my amazing gift. She and the director of our degree program, Dr. Clemons, had a conversation and told me and a few of my colleagues to create an album. So, we did, and here I am, still pursuing my singing career. Thank you, Nina Packer and Dr. Kawachi Clemons, for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I like to consider myself “A child of the arts.” I am a singer, dancer, musician, actress, artist, an all-around entertainer. I have been on tour with Drumline Live playing trumpet, dancing, and singing. I have been in movies, commercials, music videos, and TV shows as extras and playing various instruments; including trumpet, french horn, clarinet, and tenor drum. But, my main focus is becoming an internationally known soulful singer! I have a very soulful/jazzy voice, but I don’t want to only do those genres. I am on hip hop beats, live bands, jazz, pop, etc. I just want people to love what they hear! I do it because I love to sing. I love when people listen to my voice and my music and forget their problems. I want their emotions to be fully evoked into feeling good about what is coming into their ears. I want my fans to feel good about their lives. As stated before, I looked up to Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, but the list grew as I got older to include Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Andre 3000. My inspiration also comes from my little cousins and just the youth in general! When you’re a child, you just create without having second thoughts. I always try to revisit that childlike mentality when it comes to creating. Adulting can really take away creativity, lol, but I look to the youth to keep me going!
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I do not think the role of the artist has changed. I think the artists choose what role they want to take on. I believe it is our duty to reflect the times and our environment, but some artists choose to make music for the now, and that’s ok. People don’t want to hear or see issues of today all the time! LOL If that was the case, you’d hear songs like “False Prophets” by J. Cole or “Fist” by Translee ft. Grey in the clubs instead of songs like “Twerk” by The City Girls ft. Cardi B. What’s the fun in that? So, there is a song for everybody like there’s a time and place for everything.
Current events affect my art somewhat. I may write a song or poem about what I’m feeling as a result, but as stated before, I make “feel good” music, and I want to continue to always do that. Let my people forget about the problems for a few minutes. I was reminded by Killer Mike that we, black people, are winning so, I want my music to encourage that narrative!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Currently, I have two singles out, “Wanna Give You Everything” and “Bah Dop Bah” on all music streaming platforms! You can visit my Instagram page, @HonestySpeaks, and hit the link in my bio to take you to where you need to go, as well. My ep, Honesty Speaks, will be released this spring, April 11th, FINALLY! So, be on the lookout for that! That will be my 30th birthday gift to my fans!
If you would like to purchase some Honesty merchandise, be sure to visit https://teespring.com/
Contact Info:
- Phone: 678.568.3743
- Email: bookinghonesty1@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/honestyspeaks
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/honestybspeaks
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/honestyspeaks
Image Credit:
Market and Nike photos: Lawrson Pinson @lawrsonpinson www.lawrsonpinson.com
Sepia photo: Carolyne Elizabeth Cole @sweet__carolyne
Cover art photo: Jamon Green @univeristyofjamonphoto www.univeristyofjamonphotos.com
Logo: @_sreal www.srealism.com
Cover art: Latoiya Edwrads @mstachet www.tachetdesign.com
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
