It features guest vocals from Nigerian singer Burna Boy and was released as a single through FAMM Records and The Orchard on 16 August 2019.

Initially Smith planned on giving the song away to another singer, but decided on keeping it due to the contrasting tempo to her previously sombre discography.

Writing for Complex, James Keith described "Be Honest" as "An upbeat, summery outing", commenting that "the combined heat from their [Smith and Burna Boy's] intertwining vocals and the gentle bump of the production from Izy... could not be more perfect for the summer".

[7] Upon release "Be Honest" debuted at number eighteen on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her first solo top twenty in the United Kingdom.

The video follows Smith around London during a heat wave, and includes scenes of late night swimming or speeding down the street on a motorcycle.