Leela James keeps it all the way real on her new single “Honest.”
Over a velvety bassline, produced by Rex Rideout, James revels in her significant other’s love and can never get enough of it. “Ooh, if I’m being honest / You could never love me too much / Too much just ain’t enough,” she sings in the chorus.
Speaking on her new single, James exclusively tells Rated R&B, “To be honest, I just felt like I wanted to express the side of me that’s vulnerable and soft, while keeping it funky, edgy and unapologetically me.”
“Honest” follows “Right On Time,” also produced by Rex Rideout, which was released in May. “I am so excited to be 20 years in the game and that my music to be right on time,” James told Rated R&B about the song’s significance.
Before that, she released her “Whatcha Done Now (Remix)” with Kenyon Dixon in August 2024. James told Rated R&B, “Kenyon added another layer of seasoning sauce to the Soul of this record and it made for the perfect soulful R&B recipe.”
James is currently on the road touring, with upcoming stops in Los Angeles, Memphis, Little Rock, St. Louis and more.
Stream Leela James’ new song “Honest” and see her tour dates below.
Leela James’ 2025-2026 Tour Dates
Aug 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE
Aug 23 – Meridian, MS @ MSU Riley Center
Aug 31 – Memphis, TN @ Cannon Center For the Performing Arts
Sep 12 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall
Sep 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Music at the Intersection 2025
Sep 14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Sep 19 – Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall
Sep 20 – Mableton, GA @ Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre
Oct 24 – Norfolk, VA @ Attucks Theatre
Oct 25 – Tysons, VA @ Capital One Hall
Jan 13, 2026 – Den Haag, Netherlands @ PAARD
Jan 15, 2026 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
Jan 16, 2026 – London, United Kingdom @ Cadogan Hall
Feb 1, 2026 – Tampa, FL @ Rise and Rhythm Cruise
Get tickets at leelajames.com.
