In a recent interview, LA native songstress Honey Blu opens up about her life growing up around music, her new song, and what to look out for in the future.

Aureeyahn, better known by her stage name Honey Blu, is a Los Angeles native who grew up in South LA, where she attended Rock Of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. She attended church faithfully with her aunt, who was part of the senior choir — and it was there that Honey Blu joined the children’s choir and found an even deeper passion for music. Additionally, Honey Blu credits her parents as a factor for her love for and pursuit of her current music career. She remarks on her dad bringing her along to studio sessions and playing his music for her on car rides, where she regards how influential he was in her pursuing a career in music. During the interview, Honey Bluu also revealed that she was related to the legendary Al Wilson, famous for his song, “Show & Tell,” stating that “music runs in [her] blood.” 

“My family on my dad’s side would always talk about him and how music runs in our blood,” she said. “My dad also used to play his music a lot in the car. I was inspired by his lyricism because he wrote about the things that he went through.”

Honey Blu noted that her musical influences include Cat Iz, Jill Scott, The Native Tongues, The Soulquarians, 9th Wonder, Queen Latifah, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye. With a plethora of influences, it is no wonder Honey Blu has made such a unique sound. Stating, her “sound definitely falls under R & B and Neo-Soul sonically as well.” Honey Blu says she dedicated her life to music because it is her purpose.

“Since I was young, I believe that the most high has called me to use my creative abilities as a tool,” she said. “I have a gift, and must fulfill that purpose.”

Honey Blu’s talents translate in the musical realm. Her newest single “Sex Ain’t Better Than Love” is her first single since 2019, and if this is anything like her up and coming project dropping later this year, it will be something to look out for, as her melody and sound will rightfully grab anyone’s attention. The sensual R&B track shows off her vocals and abilities in an impressive way.

Stream “Sex Ain’t Better Than Love” on Spotify below, and continue reading to learn more about the singer.

What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I am from in Los Angeles, California. I am still in the Los Angeles Area, primarily South Central. You can catch me mostly in Leimert Park, Long Beach, Carson, or Inglewood.

What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name is Honey Blu! My real name is Aureeyahn. I named myself when I was in high school, I was learning a lot about aura’s and spirituality at the time. I felt that the color blue represented my aura most because the various shades of blue reflect different energies and emotions. The honey part came because honey is sweet, tough, and raw, and I felt that it was a good metaphor to describe my personality. So there you have it “Honey Blu”. I took out the “e” from blue because I just thought it looked cooler lol.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I have been involved in music since I was around 6 or 7. One Christmas, I remember my mom bought me a karaoke machine with a microphone and tapes to record myself. I would make my songs and save my recordings. My Auntie Lucille (rest in power) attended Rock Of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in South Central, LA, and was in the senior choir. I eventually joined the children’s choir because I used to go to church with her almost every Sunday at one point in my childhood. My father is also a rapper, so I used to roll with my dad to the studio sometimes, and would let me go inside the booth and even let me be on some of his tracks! My dad really pushed me to keep pursuing music, and I have always loved music. Music saved my life.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
My great grandfather is Al Wilson, who was a successful recording artist in the ’70s. He had a hit song called “Show & Tell”. My family on my dad’s side would always talk about him and how music runs in our blood. My dad also used to play his music a lot in the car. I was inspired by his lyricism because he wrote about the things that he went through. My mom also played a lot of Amerie, Jill Scott, Keyshia Cole, and other R&B/ Soul Artists. My parents have been supportive of all of my creative art endeavors. They let me be free to express myself and create, so I feel this was very vital to growing and defining my sound as an artist.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound falls under Hip Hop for sure. Hip Hop encompasses so much when it comes to how I create. My sound definitely falls under R & B and Neo-Soul sonically as well.

What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
God. Since I was young, I believe that the most high has called me to use my creative abilities as a tool. I have a gift, and now I am old enough to realize my purpose. It only makes sense to dedicate myself to what I already am inherently good at, and with practice, I can grow to be even greater.

What’s one reason you are passionate about music, and what inspires you?
I am passionate about music because it gives me the ability to communicate and connect with people. Communication is vital in any relationship, especially when it comes to the communication between the artist and the listener. I aspire to be transparent, honest with myself and with my art. My people inspire me. My African roots and heritage inspire me. My community inspires me Hip Hop Inspires Me…. I could go on.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I love to read! I am currently finishing up “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “One Africa One Nation” by Omali Yeshitela. I completed 11 books last year, along with reading a variety of scholarly journals, archives, and political reports. When it comes to staying creative, I am working at creating a more consistent routine for creativity. I usually just go with the flow, but over time I realized I work best when I intentionally block out time for creative projects. 

What are some of your music career goals for the future?
To get over a billion streams on my songs and for my music to go worldwide. Tour internationally. I want to be a legend. I am only here to give my very best, nothing less.

Tell us about the project that you are promoting. What is it about? Is it a single or EP? Also, what is the name of the last project you released?
“Sex Ain’t Better Than Love” is my latest single, which was just released on January 10, 2021, on all streaming platforms!!!

The first official single I have released since 2019 on all streaming platforms that I feel 100% confident in as an artist. I wrote this song at around 3 in the morning one day. I couldn’t sleep because I had been up all night working on marketing stuff. The beat for this song had been playing over and over in my head, and I really wanted to record a song to it at the studio session I had literally the same morning around 10 am. At the time, I was going through a situation that I talk about in the song, so it wasn’t too hard to write. I finished the whole track in about 30 minutes.

What has the response been like to that project?
The response has been great so far! People are making videos already knowing the lyrics, and that is crazzzy to me haha. I am very thankful for the response. I can not wait to drop more content from this single.

What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?
I am most proud of all of the music I have written over the course of my lifetime. I am a songwriter. I definitely have written about 200 songs, some of that may just be verses or hooks, but I am a writer, so I am always writing something. I am also proud of the first music video I ever shot for my song “SUMMERTIME” in 2019. Now available on my website HoneyBluu.com

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
I am currently working on finishing up my debut project scheduled to release this year. I have some more singles coming out very soon and some exclusive content you can only find on my website, so I am very excited to keep dropping stuff so the people can know what I have been working so hard on.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music?
I want people to take what they need from what I had to say or express through my music. I hope that my messages are clear and articulate, and I wanted to get across through my music. Some of my songs won’t be for everybody, and that is okay too. I do that intentionally. My music is a part of my freedom.

Where can we follow you on social media?
You can follow my journey at www.honeybluu.com!
You can also follow me on Instagram & Twitter @honeybluu as well as TikTok & clubhouse: @honeyblu 

JAYE B is a buzzing artist based in Indianapolis who is quickly gaining traction. Born Jeffery Berry, JAYE B started releasing music in January of 2013 via SoundCloud. According to an interview with the independent talent, many of his earliest recordings were done through his iPod touch. Since then, Berry has released three projects, countless singles and laid the groundwork for a buzzing Indianapolis scene. His most recent project is titled 4 U & is available to stream everywhere.

The melodic project contains many R&B vibes and portrays JAYE B as an artist who is capable of versatility. For him, it’s clear to see how music serves as a point of expression and vulnerability.

Make sure you stream 4 U below, and keep reading to hear what JAYE B has to say.

What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?

My past three projects were Summer Madness, Thorns, and Come Home During Odd Times (CHDOT). I don’t have a project in particular that I’m most proud of because I’m at a different point mentally and physically, so each one is special and unique in its way. However, I feel like by the end of my career CHDOT, would be the one that I am glad I said everything I did say on that project. For it to be my first album, just because of how vulnerable I was and how the songs are even relevant to today’s society despite it going on three years old.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.

My last releases have been impulsive, so I can’t exactly say the next project. I plan on releasing a deluxe version of Thorns, “Thorns & Petals” this spring/summer, along with numerous singles this year, I’m debating on dropping the LP that 4 U was made for or just starting over and see where the sound takes me from here, but A LOT is coming soon.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

Ultimately I hope they take away positivity from my music. I make it so it can appeal to any age, race, sex, or belief. God put me on this planet to use the gift he gave me to create, so I’m going to utilize that to its fullest potential. I aspire to inspire, and I am an artist.

Where can we follow you on social media?

You can follow me on Instagram @jayesuave or @jayehorus, my Twitter is @naptownazzy, Snapchat is @jayehorus, and I do have a JAYE B Facebook page.