# Be Honest

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For other titles, see [Be Honest (disambiguation)](/source/Be_Honest_(disambiguation)).

2019 single by Jorja Smith featuring Burna Boy

"Be Honest" Single by Jorja Smith featuring Burna Boy Released 16 August 2019 Genre Afrobeats Length 3:27 Label FAMM Songwriters Miraa May Damini Ogulu Jorja Smith Producers Cadenza IzyBeats Kyle Stemberger Jorja Smith singles chronology "Goodbyes" (2019) "Be Honest" (2019) "By Any Means" (2020) Burna Boy singles chronology "Pull Up" (2019) "Be Honest" (2019) "Own It" (2019) Music video "Be Honest" on YouTube

"**Be Honest**" is a song by British singer [Jorja Smith](/source/Jorja_Smith). It features guest vocals from Nigerian singer [Burna Boy](/source/Burna_Boy) and was released as a single through FAMM Records and [The Orchard](/source/The_Orchard_(company)) on 16 August 2019. The song was written by Smith, Burna Boy and Miraa May, and produced by Cadenza, IzyBeats and [Kyle Stemberger](/source/Kyle_Stemberger).[1][2] The song samples "Rastar" by [Yung Tory](/source/Yung_Tory).[1] Commercially, it peaked at No. 8 on the U.K. Singles Chart, becoming Smith's first and Burna Boy's second top 10 hit.[3]

## Background

"Be Honest" was written by Smith, along with Burna Boy and Miraa May. Smith was inspired by the [Hot Girl Summer](/source/Hot_Girl_Summer) catchphrase coined by American rapper, [Megan Thee Stallion](/source/Megan_Thee_Stallion). Initially Smith planned on giving the song away to another singer, but decided on keeping it due to the contrasting tempo to her previously sombre discography.[4] The song was produced by Izy and Cadenza who previously produced Smith's 2016 song "Where Did I Go?", from [her debut album](/source/Lost_%26_Found_(Jorja_Smith_album)).[5] The song features guest vocals from Nigerian singer [Burna Boy](/source/Burna_Boy), making it the duo's second collaboration following "Gum Body" from Burna Boy's album *[African Giant](/source/African_Giant)* (2018).[6] The song was released as a single to streaming and digital platforms through FAMM Records on 16 August 2019.

## Reception

Writing for *[Complex](/source/Complex_(magazine))*, James Keith described "Be Honest" as "An upbeat, summery outing", commenting that "the combined heat from their [Smith and Burna Boy's] intertwining vocals and the gentle bump of the production from Izy... could not be more perfect for the summer".[7]

Upon release "Be Honest" debuted at number eighteen on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart), becoming her first solo top twenty in the United Kingdom.[3] After steadily climbing the charts the song rose to number eight, becoming Smith's first top ten.[8]

## Music video

The song's accompanying video was released in conjunction with the song's release (16 August) and was directed by Amber Grace Johnson. The video follows Smith around London during a heat wave, and includes scenes of late night swimming or speeding down the street on a motorcycle. Jorja wanted to create a film that embodied the spirit of Summer, the director of the video said in a statement. "We wanted to invite the world in, to experience a different side of Jorja. Free and full of light, and some 'Hot Girl Summer' energy.' While writing in my AC-filled apartment in Brooklyn, I thought about how there's nothing quite like summers in the city. You're caught between concrete high rises, sweating from heat delirium, with our makeshift fire hydrant beaches. Yet despite it all, there's a contagious air that floods the city, and your imagination becomes infinite."[5]

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2019) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 77 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] 5 France (SNEP)[12] 28 Ireland (IRMA)[13] 20 Lithuania (AGATA)[14] 46 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] 5 Scotland Singles (OCC)[16] 63 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 51 UK Singles (OCC)[3] 8 UK Indie (OCC)[18] 2 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[19] 7 Year-end charts Chart (2020) Position Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[20] 38 France (SNEP)[21] 155

## Certifications

Certifications for "Be Honest" Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[22] Platinum 70,000‡ Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 40,000‡ Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[24] Gold 45,000‡ France (SNEP)[25] Diamond 333,333‡ New Zealand (RMNZ)[26] Platinum 30,000‡ United Kingdom (BPI)[27] Platinum 600,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

Region Date Format Label Various 16 August 2019[2] Digital download streaming FAMM

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-genius_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-genius_1-1) ["Jorja Smith - Be Honest Lyrics"](https://genius.com/Jorja-smith-be-honest-lyrics). *[Genius](/source/Genius_(website))*. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tidal_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tidal_2-1) ["Be Honest (feat. Burna Boy) / Jorja Smith"](https://listen.tidal.com/album/113830173). *[Tidal](/source/Tidal_(service))*. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-occ_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-occ_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-occ_3-2) "[Official Singles Chart on 18/10/2019 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20191018/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 19 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Agenda Playlist"](https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/agenda/pl.f901987776c0495a9c59354c16346a4a). *[Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music)*. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rollingstone_5-1) Blistein, Jon (16 August 2019). ["Watch Jorja Smith, Burna Boy Stay Cool in Sweltering 'Be Honest' Video"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jorja-smith-burna-boy-new-song-be-honest-872648/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Yoo, Noah (16 August 2019). ["Jorja Smith and Burna Boy Link Up on "Be Honest": Listen"](https://pitchfork.com/news/jorja-smith-and-burna-boy-link-up-on-be-honest-listen/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved 30 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Keith, James (16 August 2019). ["Jorja Smith returns with first post-album single "Be Honest" with Burna Boy"](https://www.complex.com/music/2019/08/jorja-smith-burna-boy-be-honest). *[Complex](/source/Complex_(magazine))*. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Elbow Lands Third No. 1 Album in U.K. With 'Giants of All Sizes'"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8533506/elbow-giants-of-all-sizes-no-1-uk).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["ARIA Chart Watch #540"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190831072845/https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/08/aria-chart-watch-540/). auspOp. 31 August 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/08/aria-chart-watch-540/) on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Flanders_Tip_Jorja_Smith_feat._Burna_Boy_10-0)** "[Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy – Be Honest](https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Jorja+Smith+feat.+Burna+Boy&titel=Be+Honest&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Ultratip](/source/Ultratip). Retrieved 13 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Wallonia_Jorja_Smith_feat._Burna_Boy_11-0)** "[Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy – Be Honest](https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Jorja+Smith+feat.+Burna+Boy&titel=Be+Honest&cat=s)" (in French). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop). Retrieved 30 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Top Singles (Week 48, 2019)"](http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?categorie=Top%20Singles&semaine=48&annee=2019) (in French). [Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique](/source/Syndicat_National_de_l'%C3%89dition_Phonographique). Retrieved 3 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Ireland3_Jorja_Smith_13-0)** "[Irish-charts.com – Discography Jorja Smith](http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jorja+Smith)". [Irish Singles Chart](/source/Irish_Singles_Chart). Retrieved 26 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)"](https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-w35/) (in Lithuanian). [AGATA](/source/AGATA_(organization)). 2 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["NZ Hot Singles Chart"](https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2019-09-20). [Recorded Music NZ](/source/Recorded_Music_NZ). 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Scotland_16-0)** "[Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 20/9/2019 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20190920/41/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 21 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Switzerland_Jorja_Smith_feat._Burna_Boy_17-0)** "[Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy – Be Honest](http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jorja+Smith+feat.+Burna+Boy&titel=Be+Honest&cat=s)". [Swiss Singles Chart](/source/Swiss_Hitparade). Retrieved 29 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UKindie_18-0)** "[Official Independent Singles Chart on 6/9/2019 – Top 50](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20190906/130/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 7 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UKrandb_19-0)** "[Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 11/10/2019 – Top 40](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20191011/114/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 17 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Rapports Annuels 2020"](https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2020). Ultratop. Retrieved 18 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Top de l'année Top Singles 2020"](https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2020) (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 8 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AustraliaJorja_SmithBe_HonestsingleCertRef_22-0)** ["ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles"](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/AExzyTkHniRw2CkE2G9HX6Y/2023%20Accreds.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf) (PDF). [Australian Recording Industry Association](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). Retrieved 5 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CanadaJorja_SmithBe_HonestsingleCertRef_23-0)** ["Canadian single certifications – Jorja Smith – Be Honest"](https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Be+Honest%20Jorja+Smith). [Music Canada](/source/Music_Canada). Retrieved 5 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DenmarkJorja_Smith_feat._Burna_BoyBe_HonestsingleCertRef_24-0)** ["Danish single certifications – Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy – Be Honest"](http://ifpi.dk/node/13623). [IFPI Danmark](/source/IFPI_Danmark). Retrieved 20 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FranceJorja_SmithBe_HonestsingleCertRef_25-0)** ["French single certifications – Jorja Smith – Be Honest"](http://snepmusique.com/les-certifications/?categorie=Tout&interprete=Jorja+Smith&titre=Be+Honest) (in French). [SNEP](/source/SNEP). Retrieved 17 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_ZealandJorja_Smith_feat._Burna_BoyBe_HonestsingleCertRef_26-0)** ["New Zealand single certifications – Jorja Smith feat. Burna Boy – Be Honest"](https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/). Radioscope. Retrieved 19 March 2025. *Type*Be Honest *in the "Search:" field* *and press Enter.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_KingdomJorja_Smith_ft_Burna_BoyBe_HonestsingleCertRef_27-0)** ["British single certifications – Jorja Smith ft Burna Boy – Be Honest"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved 19 September 2021. *Select*singles*in the Formats field.* *Type*Be Honest Jorja Smith ft Burna Boy*in the "Search:" field.*

## External links

- ["Be Honest" Music video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQsZUVMwEls) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e Jorja Smith Studio albums Lost & Found (2018) Falling or Flying (2023) EPs Be Right Back (2021) Singles "Blue Lights" "Let Me Down" "Be Honest" Related articles Discography "Ladbroke Grove"

v t e Burna Boy Discography Awards and nominations Studio albums L.I.F.E (2013) On a Spaceship (2015) Outside (2018) African Giant (2019) Twice as Tall (2020) Love, Damini (2022) I Told Them... (2023) No Sign of Weakness (2025) Extended plays Steel & Copper (2019) Singles "Ye" "On the Low" "Wonderful" "Last Last" "For My Hand" "Mera Na" "Sittin' on Top of the World" "Talibans II" "Cheat on Me" "City Boys" "Tested, Approved & Trusted" "Higher" "TaTaTa" "Love" "Dai Dai" Featured singles "All Eyes on Me" "Location" "Be Honest" "Own It" "Jerusalema" "My Oasis" "Hey Boy" "Ginger" "We Pray" "WGFT" Other songs "Real Life" "Alone" "All My Life" (remix)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Be Honest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be_Honest) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be_Honest?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.