One night I was doing the usual “Facebook routine.” My newsfeed, however, was far from the usual. Almost every post made in my hometown (Tampa, FL) was long, heartfelt, and contained the hashtags #ImHonest or #ImHonest2012. Upon further inspection, I found out it was a Facebook page and a social media movement – both created by two aspiring rappers from the Tampa area. So what is I’m Honest 2012? The exact description is below:
#ImHonest2012 is a cultural movement. It’s about accepting our identity and individuality; taking back the words that are used against us or the things that are built up within us, and in turn, we are making it a part of our character. There is beauty in flaws. Our generation has so many expectations placed on us that many feel the need to “fit an image.” We are taking image back – Self-image.
People are posting long, paragraphed “autobiographies” about their flaws, hardships, and what they love about themselves. It might seem a bit rash to put it all out there on Facebook. Indeed there are a few critics. However, looking past the social media trend, I’m Honest 2012 provides an outlet of catharsis that is free of judgment, and an amazing sense of camaraderie and support has developed from it. Some of these statuses are receiving over a hundred likes, and all of them receive multiple loving comments from peers. Not only is it a cultural movement, but also an effort against cyber bullying.
Narz Golden (aka Zachary Witthoeft and Todd Heartless) and Chase Ferrari have been working together since their senior year of high school, performing together at their prom. Their crew, Rap N’ Roll, performs frequently in the Tampa Bay area. They produce with Bryan Tyson, whose credits include many of Plies’ work. They also have production credits under Ayo, a Grammy Nominated 2x Platinum Producer. He produced on Carter 4 (“John”). Rap N’ Roll has opened for Maybach Music’s Triple C’s and are associated with Famous Kid Brick. They are currently working on their first EP (extended play). In addition to their music, they have created a clothing line called Clouded Thoughts Clothing. I’m Honest 2012 is their most recent venture, and parallels the message they try to convey in their music. Narz Golden reveals the heart of the movement in his interview.
1. What was the inspiration behind I’m Honest 2012?
Chase and I have always put an emphasis on expressing the hard truths in our music. We had a conversation a few months back, discussing the transition in hip-hop from a less egocentric mentality to a more honest and driven personal narrative. We wanted to capture that feeling that overcomes us in the booth, once we expose ourselves through revealing the hard details. This could include perceived character faults or flaws we may see in ourselves and acknowledge openly. We wanted to incite something that allowed others to simulate that streamlined feeling – accepting weakness to allow more room for strength and understanding. From there, the first post was made with ourselves and then spread from that point forward.
2. What are its goals?
To change the culture through self-understanding, to boost self-confidence, and to claim individuality and identity. Since it’s being pushed by social media, it’s only natural you will discover similarities between you and others who decide to post. It is a process of others contributing to how alike we really are and understanding the similar struggles we all endure. Through that, we hope to potentially tool it into a form of anti-bullying and a way of understanding and embracing our peers.
3. How have the reactions been thus far?
Revealing and incredibly positive! It really seems to be bonding those who are able to relate, even going so far as to soothe broken friendships, relationships, etc. Now, with any social trends, there are its detractors. Some people don’t like the idea of reading paragraphs of others explanations and confessions, but that’s fine because the beauty of it all is that the most honest statements are ones of disagreement. I hope through these strong opinions and debate that we uncover a way to better communicate with each other. I hope it makes it less taboo to express our deeper thoughts.
4. What ways are you promoting it?
Social Media is our biggest outlet. We started with Facebook. Twitter seems to be catching on as well, and I have even seen blogs embrace it. It was shocking to see how quickly it spread with a quick search around the net.
5. Are you intertwining it with your music and clothing line? If so, how do you think they will affect each other?
It began with our music and it will end with our music. It is our mantra as artists. The fact that others are able to pick it up as their own is amazing. After we saw a demand for the designs, we will be including them in Clouded Thought’s spring line, which can be found at www.thinkabovetheclouds.com
6. How far do you hope this movement will go?
As far as the people are willing to take it. It’s a people’s movement, and it goes far beyond a simple post. It’s in the mindset.
Below are previous #ImHonest2012 posts:
I am a weak man with a soft heart. I am vulnerable, self-conscious, and easily pushed to bitterness. I expect too much from those around me. I am awkward. I am eccentric. I am weird. I am odd. I am impractical. I’m too passionate and will often make something out of nothing that wasn’t anything to begin with. I am naive yet spiteful like a child. I was never able to understand how a relationship can change so quickly and I don’t understand them, therefore, I have never maintained one worthwhile. I am a late bloomer with a poor sense of direction. I am lost. I am confused. I assume everyone comprehends me and I listen far too much. I am paranoid and a poor judge of self-worth. I recognize my own enemies before they make themselves apparent, yet I consistently open myself up anyways. I am fearful. I am a hypocrite. I’m an over thinker, I’m overcritical, and I am my own worst critic. I am your neighbor. I am your friend. I am your enemy. I am your lover. I am your family. I am Zachary Witthoeft. #I’mHonest.
My name is GinaRae Coffaro. I love to smile and laugh and just be happy all the time. I lost my mom when I was 13 years old. She was murdered along with two of her friends. My mom was my best friend and the only person in my life who had never let me down. My parents were on and off my whole life, so I grew up with nothing more than my wonderful, crazy, hilarious mother that everyone constantly reminds me I am just like, and my two wonderful sisters. When she was taken from me I was lost. I changed a lot and isolated myself from most of my friends. I’m not going to sit here and say how horrible losing her is, because obviously it’s the hardest thing I’ll ever face. But the scariest part is forgetting the little things about her…. Seeing other girls take advantage of their mothers and treating them bad when I’d give anything to just hear mine tell me she loves me one more time. But one thing I know is she would want me to be happy, so even though it’s miserable without her, I always hold my head high. I have done things I’m not proud of. I’ve loved someone with all my heart… People think I’m stupid for allowing him into my life but people don’t understand what we’ve been through. I broke my best friend’s heart because I couldn’t let go of the past. I have lied to my best friends and let many people down. I let people take advantage of me because I can’t stand the feeling of letting someone down. I cry for no reason and I don’t always appreciate how hard my dad tries to make his house a home. I don’t go and see my family enough, when they’re really the only people who have always been there. I don’t want my life to change because after losing my mom, change is the scariest thing in the world. I get annoying because I never shut up, but it’s only because silence makes me crazy and depressed. I’m painfully awkward to people I just meet. I’m very odd. I don’t really like big groups of people, I’d much rather spend time with my very best friends. I’m a total sketch about everything and I’m scared of the dumbest things ever. I’m not easy to understand at all, I don’t even understand myself. But this is me & I’m honest. #I’mHonest2012
I’m Honest 2012 is an empowering movement created by two rap artists who aspire to inspire. It has touched the hearts of many in Tampa, and perhaps it could make its way to your town soon.
You can find Chase Ferrari and Narz Golden on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to “like” the I’m Honest 2012, Rap N’ Roll, and Clouded Thoughts Clothing Facebook pages! They also have two music videos, “Calendars” and “Just Let Go,” which can be found on YouTube by typing in the title and the artists’ names.
“I want to put emphasis on the fact that we are not activists,” states Narz Golden. “We only encourage you to be yourself. We are artists. We are imperfect men. We are rappers. We are uncensored, but we are honest.”