Reggae Festival Guide reasons with Honey B about her new single, “Happy For You” out on January 17, 2025

RFG: What makes the message in “Happy For You” so timely now?

HB: Deciphering this world of bots and algorithms can feel like a game, and I believe sharing in each other’s joy is a key to winning. You get what you put out, and we unknowingly limit ourselves by begrudging other people’s success or comparing our personal timelines to theirs. It actually robs us of multiple opportunities to experience the satisfaction we’ll feel when it’s our turn.

Look, if I tell you not to think about a frustrating setback or negative situation in your life, it can cause you to think about it more and more! But if you replace those thoughts with joy and goodwill, you’ll start to see and live differently. In certain circles, it has fallen out of fashion to big each other up.

Jealousy and scorekeeping truly take a toll on our mental health. Music and the arts aren’t zero sum games, and it takes no more effort to lift others up than it does to tear them down. Thinking good thoughts about others is also a really effective way to elevate our own mood. There’s a lot of value in rooting for and supporting each other.

RFG: How did the musical elements and structure of the song come together?

HB: I credit two of my friends from the reggae realm, (artist) Empress Akua and (emcee) Johnny Black with introducing me to the song’s executive producer, Jah Lloyd, who is the CEO and founder of the Issachar Muzik label. He  has a vault of priceless reggae riddims that were played and recorded by various icons of the industry. I was honored when he invited me to toast my original song on this upbeat track by Roots Radics founding members, Flabba Holt, Dwight Pinkney, Lincoln “Style” Scott, Eric “Bingy Bunny”Lamont and Richard “Tee Bird” Johnson.

I voiced it at Studio X in Oakland, CA with vocal producer extraordinaire, Tyler Reese. It was important to me to sing my own backing vocals on this tune, and she is instrumental in that process. The multi-talented (producer, musician, audio engineer) Scorpion Omari mixed the final product at Overdub Studios in Ventura, CA.

The single releases on January 17 and will be Distributed by the iconic Tuff Gong International.

 
RFG: Can you elaborate on some of the cultural proverbs referenced in the song?

HB: Absolutely.“ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” along with “Today for you, tomorrow for me” really highlight the idea that everyone will have their own time or season to thrive, and we can actually achieve more as a collective.There’s a reassuring subtext that your turn is coming!

Have patience, celebrate each others’ achievements, and feel energized by the contagious buzz of winning! The next time you’re surrounded by other people’s success, let it spark inspiration, not discouragement. It’s a sign that the energy of possibility and triumph is in the air, and we’re all part of the celebration.

RFG: What does Happy For You illustrate about your personal beliefs?

HB: This song, especially the final verse, is like a handbook of easy and tangible ways to practice the art of being happy for others, and it’s also a ‘note to self’. Each example in the lyrics is something that either I myself, a loved one, or colleague has experienced firsthand. I’m optimistic that sharing these experiences can help us all get further along the journey as one. There are also lyrical nods to quantum physics; for instance, the fact that most of the elements in the human body were formed in the stars, as well as the power of tapping into camaraderie and gratitude as a portal to our highest timeline. Being genuinely happy for someone is like a delivery system for our own custom-made blessings. All of these ideas are woven into the song, and paired with an uplifting roots reggae riddim!

RFG: How do you approach songwriting, and what role does personal expression play in your music?

HB: You know, I think a lot of artists create our works as a condensed way to get things off our chests. My songs are direct reflections of who I am. They express things I couldn’t say in any other way. By pouring feelings and energy into a song, it’s like the burden of those emotions and realizations are being released into the work. It’s therapeutic. If my real life experiences and observations can do anything to help uplift the human family as a collective, then that’s icing on the cake.

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