OZY Daily Dose Spotlight: The Enigmatic H.E.R.

Born in 1997, H.E.R. was destined to be an artist. Signed at just 14 years old, the girl from the San Francisco Bay Area city of Vallejo says she was always comfortable on stage. Inspired by her father’s cover band, she had quickly taken on the piano, guitar, drums and, of course, the vocals.

In 2016, RCA Records released H.E.R.’s first album. Divulging very little about herself other than her music, she soon became known as an enigma. Eventually, she shared that H.E.R. stands for “Having Everything Revealed” — a rather ironic name, seeing as how the artist herself seems to revel in her own privacy. Preferring to have her music stand alone, she says, “The music is the message.”

Of all H.E.R.'s influences, the biggest one is Prince. In her view, he commanded the stage like no one else. On that note, her favorite movie is “Purple Rain,” and she pays homage to Prince by studying his work, covering his iconic songs and pursuing her music with the intensity that he once did. H.E.R. has collaborated with superstars (from DJ Khaled and Chris Brown to Coldplay’s Chris Martin) as well as rising stars, including Daniel Caesar and Khalid. Onstage, she craves the high of performing. Offstage, she surrounds herself with friends and family.

Inspired by her father’s love of the blues, H.E.R. recently partnered with the iconic Fender guitar brand to create her own signature guitar, the H.E.R. Stratocaster. She is the first Black female artist to collaborate this way with the company in its 76-year history.

In 2021, H.E.R. won the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Fight for You,” which appeared in the film “Judas and the Black Messiah.” In her acceptance speech, she stressed the importance of telling historical truths, and she credited the Black Lives Matter movement for empowering so many people in these times of change.

H.E.R. penned the moving tribute “I Can’t Breathe” in response to the 2020 killing of George Floyd. She said she was inspired to write this song to galvanize people to demand social change. As she puts it, change “begins in the mind.”

The EPs “H.E.R. Volume 1” and “H.E.R. Volume 2” appeared with a haunting silhouette on the cover, as the artist was still clinging to anonymity. But with Janet Jackson and Drake singing her praises, she was becoming too big to hide, and sleuthing fans soon uncovered her identity. “I always trusted my path,” she said about her belief that she is doing the right thing for herself and her music.

H.E.R. sees herself as a role model in particular for women who are trying to find their voice and rhythm in life. She manages to be an inspirational figure in her own subtle, laid-back way. In fact, for several years now, she has been quietly teaching music and inspiring kids in underserved communities in Oakland, California.

H.E.R. will sing just about anywhere. One of her more engaging gigs took place as part of NPR's “Tiny Desk Concerts, ” a series that brings entertainment to people who might not have the means to see concerts otherwise.

on The Carlos Watson Show!

H.E.R.’s parents never limited her aspirations and always encouraged their daughter to follow her dreams. She’s also a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, believing wholeheartedly in love and all of its complexity.

H.E.R. remains rather inconspicuous for such a rising star. Her persona continues to be all about music and reaching people through music. One might say she’s an introvert, but H.E.R. says she just wants to let the music speak for itself.

H.E.R. says, “It’s just the beginning.” Sharing music that comes from the heart, her mission is “giving voice to the voiceless” through that music.

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