Today we’d like to introduce you to Honestly Khari.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out writing music in church with my brother Khalib Johns when I was 15 years old. Our parents, Jessica and Keary Johns, encouraged us to write music for the Lord and we found ourselves enjoying writing gospel music. He would compose for the piano and I would write the melodies and words. At our church, Destiny Worship Center, there was an influx of musicians. So, I grew up around musicians who cultivated my musicianship and art. When I went to college, I pursued all of my passions. I was an activist, a scientist, and a professional singer. I fought the fight, serving as the president of the NAACP chapter at CSUN.
I also was also conducting cognitive research. The most enthusiastic part of my college years was being a professional singer for an Acapella group named Acasola. In this group, I appeared on NBC’s “Castle”, City Walk, Disneyland, and many more venues. However, while my musician’s side was growing, my artistic side was suffering. I was not able to express my views of life through the canvas of music. So, I started the R&B/rap group with another artist by the name of Mike Rose. We put out a mixtape and a single and had good success. We eventually went our different ways because we had different visions of where to guide the music, but still push the envelope for good music. Now, I had to form my own identity and reinvent myself, which brings me to where I am right now. Honestly, Khari represents an artist without restraints.
My new album “Near Life Experience” is an album you put on early in the morning or late at night. Those are the times where I put my grind in, so it only makes sense that the album sounds the best in those times. It is introspective music and makes you question the way your life is going and are you living the way you should live. With the help of Six Foot Pigeons (Joey Massari and Tommy Massari) on production, the project becomes an avant-garde rap project, aligning with the likes of Anderson Paak and Smino.
Near Life, Experience is out on all platforms. We have already done a listening party and a concert. More concerts and a tour will be available soon. With the help of 1017 management and my social media manager and significant other, Hannah Adams, I feel like I am hitting my stride. Now I finally feel like I have hit my groove and my career is starting. Please listen to me, Honestly Khari, so you can say, “I listened to him when he first started out.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles: Having to work while going to school while invest in my music/pursue my dreams. Another obstacle I have is my struggle in helping others and helping myself. I learned that you could do both.
Music obstacle: Not falling into the industry lifestyle because it is self-destructive. Avoiding the consumption. While at the same time, networking to get into the industry.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
As Honestly Khari, I specialize in Rap/Soul/R&B music. FREEDOMUSIK is my label for my music. I am proud to be an independent music company and being able to make TV appearances as Honestly Khari on Fox Soul and selling out a show at “The Federal” in North Hollywood. What sets me apart from others is my unorthodox candences and my musicality in the genre of rap. Being able to co-produce my songs and own my music makes me the full package. Also, my commitment to the community as an activist and community server, I find myself on the other side of the spectrum.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I believe the proudest moment of my career so far is finishing an EP without any label help, as an independent artist. It says a lot. Moving as an independent company means that you learn the game inside and out.
Pricing:
- Near Life Experience-EP on Itunes- $5.94
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/IMKHARIJ/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honestlykhari/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMKHARIJ/
Image Credit:
Maxwell Byun
Noah
Hannah Adams
Josh Dancu
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