Be Honest (feat. Burna Boy)

"Be Honest" is a departure from Jorja Smith's often melancholic and soulful discography, presenting an upbeat and flirtatious anthem about desire and transparency in modern relationships. The song's core message is a demand for straightforwardness between two people attracted to each other. Smith's lyrics express a desire to forgo emotional games and ambiguity, asking her partner to be direct about their intentions and feelings. She warns that she can be 'heartless' and a 'devil in disguise,' not as a threat, but as a statement of her own self-awareness and refusal to be trifled with. This reflects a theme of female empowerment and control. The song was notably inspired by Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hot Girl Summer' catchphrase, embodying a spirit of fun, freedom, and unapologetic confidence. Burna Boy's feature complements this theme, providing a male perspective that accepts and reciprocates the call for honesty and mutual enjoyment. Ultimately, the song celebrates a sensual, carefree, and honest connection, making it a perfect anthem for summer flings and straightforward romance.

The song unfolds as a direct and confident address to a romantic interest, demanding straightforwardness and honesty. The narrator, Jorja Smith, immediately sets a tone of empowerment and self-awareness. She acknowledges the other person's desire for her but counters that they don't truly know her complexities. She presents a duality in her nature, referencing her alluring physical attributes like her 'thick thighs' and 'brown eyes' that can make someone get lost, while also warning of a 'devil in disguise' and the capacity to be 'heartless.' This isn't a confession of malice, but rather a frank admission of her own potential to be emotionally detached, a defense mechanism against having her time wasted. The central plea, 'Be honest,' is a challenge for her partner to match her level of transparency. She is not interested in games or ambiguity; she wants to know their true intentions, asking directly if they 'want me on top'. It's a bold assertion of her own desires and a refusal to be passive in the dynamic.

She makes it clear that if the relationship is built on a foundation of honesty, she will reciprocate. However, she warns against wasting her time, suggesting that actions have consequences ('If you make your bed, then you can lie'). The core message is a blend of vulnerability and strength; she is open to a connection but protective of her own heart and time. It’s a modern take on romance, prioritizing clarity over traditional courtship rituals.

Burna Boy's verse provides the response to Jorja's demand. He enters with a smooth, confident energy that matches hers. He acknowledges her captivating presence, describing how the way her 'body twistin' makes him 'lose control.' He doesn’t waste time with pretenses, assuring her that with him, there are 'no big vibes' and 'no bad mind,' indicating he understands and accepts her terms. His verse is a surrender to her allure, a promise of a good time without complications. He positions himself as someone who can offer her a new, exhilarating experience ('when I'm finished you'll be feeling brand new') but also respects her strength, clarifying he isn't looking for someone he 'can run through.' His participation reinforces the song's theme of mutual, consensual, and straightforward desire. Together, their verses create a dialogue that celebrates a confident, no-strings-attached, and intensely passionate connection, perfect for a fleeting, hot summer.

"Be Honest" was released on August 16, 2019, as a standalone single, marking Jorja Smith's first new music since her 2018 debut album, Lost & Found. The song was written by Jorja Smith, Nigerian artist Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu), and fellow singer-songwriter Miraa May. The production was handled by a trio of notable producers: Izy (known for Koffee's hit "Toast"), Cadenza (who had previously worked with Smith on her 2016 track "Where Did I Go?"), and Kyle Stemberger. The song also contains a sample of "Rastar" by Yung Tory.

Initially, Jorja Smith had planned to give the song to another artist. However, she decided to keep it for herself, seeing it as a welcome contrast to the more somber and ballad-heavy nature of her previous work. The track was inspired by the viral "Hot Girl Summer" meme, and Smith wanted to capture that upbeat, carefree energy. This single was the second collaboration between Smith and Burna Boy; they had previously worked together on the track "Gum Body" from Burna Boy's critically acclaimed album African Giant, released earlier the same year. The evident chemistry from their first collaboration seemingly paved the way for this successful follow-up.

The rhythmic structure of "Be Honest" is its defining characteristic. The song is driven by an upbeat tempo and a syncopated drum pattern rooted in dancehall and Afrobeats, creating an infectious, 'slow-wining' groove. This bouncy rhythm provides a vibrant, summery backdrop for the vocals. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and fluid, mirroring the song's theme of direct communication. Jorja Smith's vocal phrasing is relaxed, often playfully weaving around the main beat rather than strictly adhering to it. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and direct, employing couplets (AABB) and near rhymes to maintain a natural, flowing feel that doesn't sound overly structured. For example, in the lines, "You see my thick thighs / Lost when you look into my brown eyes," the rhyme feels effortless. The interplay between the complex, layered instrumental rhythm and the more straightforward, melodic vocal rhythm is key to the song's appeal, making it both musically interesting and accessible for dancing.

"Be Honest" marks a significant stylistic shift for Jorja Smith, blending her smooth, soulful R&B vocals with vibrant Afrobeats and dancehall rhythms. This fusion creates a sound that is both sultry and danceable. The production by Izy, Cadenza, and Kyle Stemberger is built on a catchy, slinky guitar riff and bouncy, syncopated drum patterns characteristic of contemporary Afro-fusion music. Smith's vocal delivery is playful and flirtatious, a departure from the more melancholic tone of her album Lost & Found. Burna Boy's verse is delivered in his signature style, a relaxed flow that exists on the 'porous border between singing and rapping,' which complements the track's laid-back yet confident vibe. The collaboration itself is a key stylistic choice, bridging the UK R&B scene with the global rise of Afrobeats, a move that enhances the song's international appeal. The recurring "doo-doo-doo" vocal hook is a simple but effective musical motif that adds to the track's infectious and memorable quality.

"Be Honest" was a significant commercial success and marked a pivotal moment in Jorja Smith's career. It became her first single to reach the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 8. The song's success demonstrated her versatility as an artist, moving beyond her signature soulful ballads. It was widely praised for its blend of R&B and Afrobeats, contributing to the continued mainstream popularization of Afro-fusion sounds in the UK and globally. As of June 2024, the track has surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, making it her most-streamed song on the platform. The song achieved significant international certifications, including Platinum in the UK and Australia, and Diamond in France. The stylish and summery music video, directed by Amber Grace Johnson, was also highly acclaimed and has garnered over 137 million views on YouTube, further cementing the song's status as a massive summer anthem of 2019.

While "Be Honest" is lyrically direct, it uses the setting of a heatwave and the concept of summer to symbolize its core themes. The 'Hot Girl Summer' energy, which inspired the song, is a metaphor for a period of unapologetic self-confidence, freedom, and fun.

The accompanying music video, directed by Amber Grace Johnson, heavily reinforces this symbolism. The visuals depict Jorja and her friends navigating a sweltering London summer, engaging in activities like late-night swimming and riding jet-skis through city streets. This imagery symbolizes an escape from convention and a seizure of carefree, wild fun. The heat itself can be seen as a metaphor for the intensity and passion of the relationship being described. The video aims to show a 'different side of Jorja. Free and full of light,' moving away from her more melancholic persona and embracing an atmosphere of pure, unadulterated summer energy.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif in the song is the titular phrase, "Be honest." This line is repeated throughout the chorus and serves as the song's central thesis, a direct plea for truth and transparency from a partner. Its repetition drills home the song's primary theme. Another key phrase is the warning, "I could be heartless, regardless of my conscience," which also repeats in the chorus. This acts as a counterpoint to the vulnerability of asking for honesty, establishing the narrator's strength and self-preservation. Musically, the song features a memorable, wordless vocal hook ("doo-doo-doo-doo") that is highly infectious and serves as a recurring motif, making the track instantly recognizable. The theme of summer heat and carefree fun, inspired by the 'Hot Girl Summer' concept, acts as an overarching thematic motif, reinforced by the upbeat tempo and the narrative of the music video.