JORJA SMITH

releases new single

‘Be Honest’

ft. BURNA BOY

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

LISTEN/STREAM HERE

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Multi-award-winning British singer Jorja Smith, has unveiled her brand new single, ‘Be Honest’ – her first piece of new music since the release of her Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album ‘Lost & Found’, in 2018. Highly anticipated, the new single features Burna Boy – a towering presence in both the UK and US music scene – largely in part to his 2018 ‘OUTSIDE’ album and hit single ‘Ye’ . One of the brightest stars in contemporary African music, Burna Boy and Jorja have also collaborated on his ‘African Child’ album track – ‘Gum Body.’

Produced by Izy (Koffee ‘Toast’) and Cadenza (who previously worked with Jorja on her 2016 single ‘Where Did I Go?’), ‘Be Honest’ is a sonic contrast to Jorja’s calmer, ballad-leaning album tracks. The single is up-beat, flirtatious and empowering – showing a new side to the ever-inspiring musician, who is still just 22 years old.

The Amber Grace Johnson-directed video (who’s previously worked with Rihanna and A$AP Rocky), was filmed in locations across London, including Rye Lane Market and Peckham Liberal Club. The visual sees Jorja and two of her best friends, Erin and Sandra, battling effortlessly through the hot London summer as Jorja  dances and sings along to the infectious single. Styled impeccably by Leah Abbott, the cast are wearing designers from Moschino to Jacquemus, Rick Owens to Dior, with unforgettably iconic moments for Jorja in a Louisa Ballou swimsuit and vintage Chanel scarf. Smith travels through the Rotheride Tunnel, and across the lit-up city landscape on a futuristic jet-ski, before cooling off at a dimly-lit indoor pool ( Wapping Leisure Centre) covered in glowing tennis balls and surrounded by friends. Making an appearance in the videos 70’s style interior (complete with photos of Jorja’s grandfather and family on the walls), Burna Boy is later seen dancing through his verse whilst lying on a metallic green bed sheet. A truly seminal video, “Be Honest” will no doubt propel Jorja even further into the realms of universal acclaim.

Director Amber Grace Johnson who recently directed the PSA for the Free The Bid campaign supporting female and under-represented talent in the film industry explains:

“For ‘Be Honest’, Jorja wanted to create a film that embodied the spirit of Summer– pure wild fun. 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 make-shift fire hydrant beaches. Yet despite it all, there’s a contagious air that floods the city, and your imagination becomes infinite. 

With that in mind, we imagined a film nostalgic in nature, with your inner child memories running rampant. Jorja takes us on a ride; sunbathing on her Grandma’s sticky plastic couch, midnight break-ins at the neighbourhood pool, running around with real life friends Sandra and Erin, and  of course some jet ski drifting through London streets. That feeling like the world is yours, and rules don’t exist. From afar, Jorja always felt like she was/is from a tribe of angels – that voice, the melodies, and timeless beauty. After this collaboration, I feel even more inspired by her energy, artistry and presence.”

‘Be Honest’ follows on from a remarkable year in the world of Jorja Smith – the past 12 months have seen her winning ‘British Breakthrough Artist’ at both the GQ Men Of The Year Awards and AIM Awards 2018, selling out two Brixton Academy dates, and receiving a Grammy Nomination for ‘Best New Artist’. 2019 has already seen Jorja featuring on AJ Tracey’s chart scaling hit ‘Ladbroke Grove’, headlining Field Day 2019, being announced as Dior Beauty’s latest ambassador, and receiving an Ivor Novello nomination for ‘Blue Lights’. Not forgetting, a hugely deserved win at the 2019 BRIT Awards for ‘Best Female.’

Musically, Smith’s playfully infectious pop spirit intertwines with her youthful charisma, idiosyncratic storytelling, and informed opinions – attributes that have set her apart from her peers and seen her become one of the UK’s most-loved female-breakthrough stars of recent years. Gaining millions of streams and with countless sold-out tours, all achieved in just over two years – Jorja Smith’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric.

Arriving onto the scene in 2016 with her critically acclaimed debut single ‘Blue Lights’, Jorja was subsequently tipped for success by a plethora of publications. In 2017, Jorja, went on to support mega-star Bruno Mars on the US-leg of his world tour, worked with Stormzy on her single ‘Let Me Down’, collaborated with global lyricist Drake (‘More Life’) and also co-wrote ‘I Am’ – her solo single on the #1 Black Panther soundtrack – with the man himself, Kendrick Lamar. Earlier this year, she also completed a 17-date collaborative tour with Kali Uchis as well as performances across Australia for Laneway Festival.

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AMNPLIFY – DB