Joe Watkins

Last updated
Bees & Honey
Born
John Fred

(2010-06-23) June 23, 2010 (age 15)
Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationSinger
Years active2024–present

John Fred (born June 23, 2010), known professionally as Bees & Honey, is an American singer and songwriter. [1] [2] He gained international recognition in 2025 after featuring on the viral single Show Me Love by WizTheMc. The song became a global hit, trending widely on social media and charting internationally. A remix featuring Tyla was released and performed live at Coachella 2025. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

Fred was born in Fairfax, Virginia, to a Nigerian father and an American mother. Raised in a culturally diverse household, he was exposed to a wide range of musical influences, including Afrobeats, soul, [5] and contemporary American pop and R&B. He attended Lake Taylor Middle School in Norfolk, Virginia, where he began sharing his music with classmates and participating in school performances. [6]

From an early age, Fred demonstrated a strong passion for music, often singing and writing songs with his friends. His stage name, Bees & Honey, [7] was chosen to reflect the warmth and sweetness of his musical style. By age 14, he began pursuing music professionally, signing with the independent label Bamboo Artists in 2024. [8]

Career

Bees & Honey launched his professional music career in 2024 with the single Solo. In 2025, he featured on WizTheMc’s single Show Me Love , which became a viral sensation. The track gained traction on TikTok and streaming platforms, accumulating millions of plays and charting in over twenty countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada.

A remix featuring Tyla was performed live at Coachella, expanding the song's global reach and recognition. He followed up with singles such as Take My Mind, a continued collaboration with WizTheMc, and Ice 2 Water with Wakyin and Ronis Goliath, showcasing Afrobeat influences.

Bees & Honey also released Pap Pap!, which gained cult popularity on cassette and independent streaming charts. He is currently preparing his debut EP, expected to release in late 2025.

Collaborations

Bees & Honey has worked with a diverse range of artists:

Public image

Praised for his relatability and youthful charisma, [9] Bees & Honey maintains a soft, emotionally resonant visual and musical aesthetic. His stage presence, particularly during high-profile performances like Coachella, has been noted as confident and engaging. [10] [11]

Awards and recognition

While not yet a major award recipient, Bees & Honey's work has been recognized across streaming platforms and international charts. [12] [13] [14] The remix of Show Me Love was nominated for a youth music collaboration award, [15] and the original version received multiple regional certifications. [16]

Upcoming projects

Bees & Honey is working on a debut EP planned for late 2025, which will further explore emotional depth and cultural fusion in music. [17]

Legacy and impact

Bees & Honey emerged as one of the youngest artists to gain mainstream success internationally. [18] His rapid ascent and viral collaborations have solidified his role as a voice of Gen Z pop music. [19] [20]

Discography

Selected singles

Selected singles
YearTitleCollaboratorsNotes
2024SoloDebut solo release
2025Show Me LoveWizTheMcViral breakout hit
2025Show Me Love (Remix)WizTheMc, TylaPerformed at Coachella
2025Take My MindWizTheMcCollaborative follow-up single
2025Ice 2 WaterWakyin, Ronis GoliathAfrobeat-influenced track
2025Pap Pap!Indie cassette release

Chart performance

Show Me Love

Chart performance: Show Me Love
Chart (2025)Peak position
Billboard Global 20010
UK Singles Chart3
Germany3
Switzerland2
Ireland6
Netherlands4
Belgium (Wallonia)3
Canada32
Australia14
South Africa11
France24
Italy36
Poland10
Portugal6
New Zealand16

Take My Mind

Chart performance: Take My Mind
Chart (2025)Peak position
Germany68
UK Singles Chart88
UK Streaming Chart27
UK Video Streaming Chart61
UK Singles Sales20
UK Independent Singles Chart46
Ireland14

Ice 2 Water

Chart performance: Ice 2 Water
Chart (2025)Peak position
Nigeria Top 10012
South Africa Streaming28
UK Afrobeats Chart19

Solo

Chart performance: Solo
Chart (2024)Peak position
US TikTok Viral Chart42
UK Emerging Artists Chart33

Pap Pap!

Chart performance: Pap Pap!
Chart (2025)Peak position
UK Cassette Singles Chart7
US Indie Breakers Chart21
Japan Streaming Chart88

Artistry

Bees & Honey's sound combines pop, R&B, lo-fi, and Afrobeat elements. His songwriting often explores themes of emotion, adolescence, and identity. Influenced by artists like Tyla, and Tems, [21] [22] his style reflects both melodic storytelling and genre fluidity. Bees & Honey draws inspiration from R&B, pop, and global genres. Influences include Frank Ocean, SZA, Justin Bieber, and Burna Boy. His heritage and upbringing in a multicultural household contribute to his sonic identity. [23]

References

  1. devops (2013-11-28). "Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  2. tool, niv the. "המצעד השבועי של מדיה פורסט". mediaforest-group. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  3. "How TikTok's SoundOn is powering WizTheMC's independent No.1 single Show Me Love". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  4. Legaspi, Althea (2025-04-19). "Tyla Brings the 'Bliss' With a New Song Tease at Coachella". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  5. Solo - Single by bees & honey on Apple Music, 2024-07-19, retrieved 2025-07-19
  6. devops (2013-11-28). "Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  7. Liedtke, Katharina (2022-02-21). "WizTheMc im Interview: „Gefühle von Männern spielen in der Rapwelt noch immer keine Rolle"". Musikexpress (in German). Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  8. Cabral, R. J. (2020-09-15). "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  9. Ice 2 Water - Single by Wakyin, Ronis Goliath & bees & honey on Apple Music, 2025-06-20, retrieved 2025-07-19
  10. "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart Jul 17, 2025 | TopHit - Highway To Airplay". tophit.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  11. "Top Radio Hits Moldova Weekly Chart Jul 17, 2025 | TopHit - Highway To Airplay". tophit.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  12. "Singel 2025 uke 20". topplista.no. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  13. "Week Chart : 26 23-06-25 29-06-25". mediaforest.ro. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  14. "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart". www.theofficialmenachart.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  15. "Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart Jun 2025 | TopHit - Highway To Airplay". tophit.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  16. "Singel 2025 uke 15". topplista.no. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  17. "Show Me Love - WizTheMc, bees & honey". EarOne. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  18. "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  19. "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart". www.theofficialmenachart.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  20. "WIZTHEMC/BEES & HONEY". Official Charts. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  21. Ahmed, Yasmin (2022-04-16). "Osheaga Music Festival 2022: Lineup, tickets, price, dates, and more". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  22. "Jim Reeves, We Thank Thee, Album - The BPI". BPI. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  23. Cabral, R. J. (2020-09-15). "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-07-19.