Nationwide — Gabriella (Gabi) Wilson, also known by her stage name H.E.R., is a singer from California. The 21-year old artist has shaken the world with her powerful lyrics and soulful, velvety voice. Her music is full of passion, heart, and vulnerability. She stuns listeners with her self-assurance and ability to keep her identity hidden – her music speaks volumes, and that’s exactly what she wants.
5 Things to Know About the Singer H.E.R.
1. Anonymity
H.E.R. steps on stage with her beautiful, big hair and large reflective sunglasses. When she released her first album in 2016, nobody knew who she was. People worked hard to determine who the soulful voice belonged to. The record label kept it quiet. There were no publicity stills of her face, nor any biographical information. When she spoke to Rolling Stone, she told them it was because she was afraid to speak on the things she deals with as a woman. The anonymity allowed her to purge her thoughts and be “a voice for women who feel like they’re alone in these situations.”
2. “Having Everything Revealed”
H.E.R. stands for “Having Everything Revealed.” The irony is supposed to be there. She wants people to realize that humans focus too much on the life of the artist rather than the lyrics and artistry of the musician. She told the LA Times that the “mystery is a metaphor for who I am, or who I was at the time of creating the project.”
3. Signed
When she performed on the TODAY show in 2007 and performed Alicia Keys’ hit “No One,” host Hoda Kotb said she was a “prodigy.” Kotb was correct—later, at just 14-years old, Wilson signed with Sony RCA Records. Under her given name, Gabi Wilson only released one single in 2014. Since then, her music has come out as H.E.R.
4. Music Talent
H.E.R. can sing and play multiple instruments. She often plays the guitar during live performances—she plays electric and acoustic guitar as well as bass guitar. To continue the list of impressive feats, she also plays the piano and drums.
5. Importance of Family
H.E.R. immensely appreciates her family. She’s Filipino and African American, and her home life was a wonderful mix of each culture. Her father was a musician and was constantly listening to music when she was a child. Her culture is important, and her family has shaped her into the soulful, sensitive singer that she is today.
Listen to her inspirational and vulnerable music today—check out her albums here.