HONEY shares her story of addiction, recovery, and rebirth through her newest set of single releases
HONEY has been a busy bee writing and recording a lineup of fresh, new music. A few months after the pandemic hit, Honey's struggle with addiction had taken a positive turn when she decided to get sober. While in recovery, Honey spent time writing, diving deeper into her faith, and focusing on the 8 dimensions of wellness, in which she was able to process her emotions and dig deeper into the root of her pain. Honey's new music takes us on her journey of recovery, rebirth in faith, and showcases extreme emotional depth with songs like "Oh Lawd" and "Here I AM (Glorify You)".
"Her melodic runs are alluring!" - EARMILK
“Infatuation. That’s the only word I can use to describe how I feel about Honey Ribar's voice.” - Molly Kate, Backstage Buzz
"Up And Coming Star Debuts On YouTube…Reasons To Keep Honey Ribar On Your Radar" - Will Baker, BuzzFeed
"The minute Honey got on stage, opened her mouth and I heard her sing I was like oh my gosh please tell me you have a CD, please tell me you're a one woman show, just tell me a place where we can all follow you!" - Jessica Abo, NY1
“Honey Ribar establishes herself as one of the finest performers. YouTube her now. This girl is going places. She moves with great beauty and presence, and has a voice that is golden.” - Daniel Dunlow, Front Row Center
"Honey has created a soundscape comprised of mellifluous melodies and lyrical precision that, when combined, creates a convincing atmosphere for thematic balance in her music. She is not your typical artist, and her music goes above and beyond the expected lyrics to provide positivity, insight, and growth." - Daily Music Spin
"Burgeoning versatile artist Honey presents her incredible, vivid mix of contemporary music through her exquisite lyrical compositions, determined to encourage self-love, self-awareness, and authenticity." - African Hype
Here I Am (Glorify You)
What’s your definition of LOVE? I pondered this writing “Here I Am”. As an artist in recovery, I feel that love regards sacrifice… giving up something valued for the sake of something/someone worthy. After dropping the bottle, a sacrifice I never thought I’d be able to make, I began leading my church in worship, ministering to our youth, writing music for Him, & now “Here I am (Glorify You)” is one of the results. I pray it reaches those struggling with control/addiction. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that your are loved unconditionally and that everything will work itself out. God's got us!
Everywhere
I woke up in Los Angeles on recording day pondering on my past. I used to wonder if God really loved me. If I didn’t even love myself, how could I be good enough to be seen by him? But then it dawned on me. Even in the thick of my addiction, I’d wake up every morning to the sun shining. I couldn’t stand it. It was so bright. All I wanted was the darkness. But now I know it was always Him. Shining His glorious face on me, asking me to wake up from the nightmare I had gotten myself into. I never realized that God is everywhere and that He loves me unconditionally. He was with me when I sang for the first time on stage, He was with me when I miraculously found my way home after a night of too much. God is the goodness that fills our lives. I feel Him in my father’s arms, and I see Him in my mother’s eyes.
Where do you experience our Lord?…
Be My Vision (Hallelujah)
Sometimes we get in our heads about where we "should be" in our lives and our careers. So much so that we lose sight of ourselves. Don't. God made you so uniquely and so purposefully that when we try to mesh and mold ourselves into something that we just aren't, we defy the grand plan. In the grand scheme of life, your life matters and who you truly are serves us all.
My hope for us all… that our vision be cleared of worldly attributes and become focused on what it is the Lord is wanting us to see, hear, experience, and be a part of.
This song is my prayer, and I hope you'll sing along with me.
Earthquake (Singing Your Praises)
This is my final song of 2023 and I feel that this one hits the closest to home in terms of my songwriting journey and where I am in life now.
This song is something the Lord created within the depths of my soul and it truly is the most genuine expression of how I feel about life, my faith, and about Him. The day I gave my life to God was the day I chose to start LIVING! I'm grateful for the trials and for the darkness that I experienced during addiction, without it I wouldn't know the comfort, truth, and power that the Lord holds. I'm fortunate to be walking, living and breathing, for he pulled me out of the grave, out of suffering, and into His loving arms.
If you are someone who is struggling to find your journey to joy, you are not alone. I was in the same boat as you, until I rediscovered my faith. This song tells the journey and is the truest vow I could make.
Yes You Do
I'm grateful for the time the Lord gave me, writing this song. And I'm blessed to have the opportunity to share it with you, beautiful souls.
We’ve all hit that point in our life when the pain we feel is overbearing. Perhaps we're just exhausted from everything going on around us. Maybe you’ve lost someone, something, or even yourself. Whatever the circumstance, you are not alone. Even when you feel unseen, unheard, The Lord knows what you’re going through. He created and designed us knowing where we would serve our purpose in this world. We were placed here, at this moment, in this time, in HIS-tory for a reason. What you are going through is not in vain, and You yourself can use the hardships AND triumphs your are experiencing for the glory of God and for the betterment of yourself. We learn & grow through pain, and after the pain we find the joy! Haven't found that joy? When is the last time you've talked to God?
"Have you felt all the pain that I'm in? Do you carry the weight of my sin?" were two questions I woke up with on Thursday, March 9th, before going into the studio to record. I too have fear, doubts, questions... and I ask Him for the answers. This song was His answer. Every word, every melody, I truly give to God. And His response to my questions... YES!
It is through Him that we find strength in situations that seem to overcome us. It is through FAITH, HOPE, GRACE, and LOVE that we are able to keep on this path and find blessings through lessons, laughter, and pain. I know we've hit rock bottom at one point in our life, maybe you're in the middle of one right now... He is with you through the struggle, the fear, the joy... and loving you in every moment. He’s crying with you, celebrating your triumphs along side you, walking into those moments of fear as your shield of courage, has his hand on you, and empathizes. You will not be forsaken with the Lord. When we're Daniel walking to the lions, when we're David facing down Goliath… oh yes He does walk with us in loving grace. On earth as it is in Heaven.
Please spread this message. We all need to hear that we are loved and that we are not alone.
LOOK UP
One night I was in the studio looking back at my life. I have survived eating disorders, addiction, self-destruction, & through the true Grace of God I have learned to love myself & life again. I am now a youth leader & have witnessed the hardships kids around the world face on a daily with the brainwashing of media. I constantly hear banter about weight loss, how many likes your posts get, and things that will never serve who we truly are. Sitting in the studio, I asked myself, "What do these kids need to hear?" My response: "Look Up! You ARE loved!" You'll never please a world of 8 billion people… but for our one God, you are MORE than enough. And all the answers and truth you are seeking will be found in Him. Just Look Up.
Heaven Take Me
My life hasn't been the same since I've rediscovered the love of our Lord. And because of His love, I've never felt so free, so alive.
I felt a strong shift in who I was as I crafted this song, pondering what this life is all about. What this music is all about. Ultimately, for me, it’s for the love of God.
This song is a vow. The start of my commitment to better serving him and spreading His great love. And my prayer is that Heaven takes me wherever I am wanted, wherever I am needed, because I will go... and I pray that you will too.
"To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever." ~ Psalms 30:12
Better Than This
During Covid I got sober. Now I see my life unfolding in the most beautiful ways possible and truly, it can't get better than this. I'm grateful for every opportunity to be here on this earth. Not only am I mending old relationships that I had broken, but I have come to find myself in a new relationship and it has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. “Better than This” is my love letter to him. And I pray it inspires listeners to open themselves up to love & express themselves through dance.
Love Me
One night I thought on my fears. The one that struck the deepest was not being fully accepted and loved, especially in my darkest moments. Sometimes insecurity creeps in and I can't help but think of the worst circumstances. "If you saw my darkest clouds, would you still love me?" I’m sure everyone has resonated with this in some way. I think at one point or another we experience these questions that run through our minds, and I wanted to share mine in a song. It’s not to say God doesn’t love us, he does, and he knows our thoughts and hearts.
To anyone out there questioning their worth... dance your insecurities away to this one! The better question is… do YOU love YOU… because HE does.
HELP ME!
I wrote HELP ME! so listeners could understand the darkness I experienced while living a life fulfilling addictions.
“Used to like myself, used to feel what I felt” were only a few thoughts running through my mind while on a drinking binge. Most of the time I drank to numb my discomfort, whether it was guilt, boredom, sadness… I’d wash it away every night with poison. In the morning, I’d make the same promise that I’d stay sober that day, only to find myself right back to where I was the night before.
I want listeners to fully submerge themselves into my experience, my pain. I want all of the music I have released this year to be a clear exemplification of the life I am now living, because of the life I once chose to have. I will never forget the dark places I have been, because of them, I now see and live in the light.
The purpose of this song is to connect with anyone out there living in darkness. I hear you, I see you, you are not alone, and I love you.
"stable" - Behind the Music
Have you ever felt absolutely incredible?! Not because of the clothes you’re wearing or the plans you have later that night, but because of something deeper? You can’t necessarily explain it, it’s a feeling that sweeps over your entire being. Something within you is aligned, fulfilled, and you just feel… “stable”.
I wrote this song in March 2021 with the incredibly talented artist/songwriter, Andreas Moss. This song is an expression of how I felt when I began finding balance in my life. Once I began my journey of self-discovery, I was able to pin point areas in my life which had been neglected for so long. This helped me find my deepest passions and rejoice in the rediscovery of my soul’s highest purpose.
I decided to use air quotes in the title as a conversation starter and way to personalize the meaning of the word. “Stability”… what does it mean to you? What does it feel like? How do internal and external forces sway stability in your life? Are we ever truly stable? These are all questions and topics I want to shed light on. With more action behind self-awareness we are able to obtain pieces of happiness and joy that can not be obtained from any other source but within.
Also… it’s ok to be confident and to celebrate your wins! Rejoicing is not only a form of self care, but an expression of gratitude. And that’s exactly what “stable” invokes… CELEBRATION!!!
ABOUT SLEEPING UGLY
This was the second song I wrote during COVID, the point in my journey where I regained confidence. I had lost so much of who I was while pursuing addictive patterns, but when I started my journey of recovery, I found myself and embraced everything I had become through my pain. I’m an extremist and wanted to create a title that would grab the listeners attention. The extreme opposite of beauty is ugly and I thought that playing with words and labels would be an interesting approach to the song. What is ugly? What is beauty?
“Sleeping Ugly” is a cheeky way of me expressing the authentic being I have become, while calling out those who try to put me (us) in a box or place expectations on who I (we) “should” be. The song defies labels and states the simple fact that I am not perfect, and I am comfortable and confident in who I am, and who I am becoming.
Let’s embrace all of who we are, and love ourselves to the fullest… the good, bad and UGLY!
ABOUT "OH LAWD" - SECOND SINGLE OF 2021
I wrote this song on my last day in the studio. I reached a point in my recovery where I couldn't help but fall to my knees and thank God for giving me a another chance at life. When I ended up flying out to LA to record, knew I wanted to write about my faith and about all that is going on in the world. “Oh Lawd” is about all the evil that society (including myself) has succumbed to over the years. Even though there is so much negativity and toxicity in the world, I find it liberating to express my gratitude for all that is good. The song in its own way is a juxtaposition with the music being very dark and gritty, and the lyrics being inspirational and uplifting.
We have many struggles in this life, but that’s not to be overshadowed by all our blessings. And even though life may have us tempted to look away, we must stay strong, remain focused and express gratitude for all the gifts we have been given.
ABOUT HONEY
Going viral with over 500,000 views in under 3 days, Minneapolis based singer-songwriter Honey Ribar has captured the hearts of fans both domestically and internationally with her unparalleled power-house vocals. She balances a successful YouTube channel of 3.5 million+ views with numerous live performances including Madison Square Garden, the Excel Energy Center, and the Nassau Colosseum. Her infectious personality and insane vocal talent has been recognized globally by celebrities including Zendaya, Hunter Hayes, and James Franco.
Honey has placed in the top 3 of major worldwide competitions on popular music websites including RyanSeacrest.com, BuzzFeed, and many more. After the release of her debut singles "Plastic" and "Have Mercy" Honey exploded into the music, also landing her a place in the Recording Academy. Her single "This Time", produced by Italian DJ Teo Mandrelli (feat. yesh) received radio play throughout the UK and has been featured on Spotify's Discover Weekly playlist, along with recent singles "Oh Lawd" and "Hearts On Fire".
Contact: honeyribarmusic@gmail.com