H.E.R.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2018-12-13
While H.E.R. stands for "Having Everything Revealed," she's an artist who's built her reputation on a certain degree of anonymity. The cover art for her debut, 2016 EP, H.E.R. Volume 1, shows a woman's silhouette over a blue backdrop. Her visuals never provide the audience a clear shot of her face and her signature accessory for every outfit is a pair of large, dark sunglasses.
As fans collectively squinted to get a better view, she delivered more projects. Another EP, H.E.R. Vol 2, came in 2017, followed months later by H.E.R. which combined songs from both volumes with a handful of new songs. The latter earned her five nominations for 2019's Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year and Best New Artist Of The Year. She was born Gabriella Wilson to a Filipino mother and Black father. She first attracted the spotlight as a child prodigy, eventually signing a record contract when she was 14-years old. At 21, she's yet to release her debut LP.
There were two standout moments during her Tiny Desk set. One came at the midway point of her biggest hit so far, "Focus." When the instruments dropped out and background vocalists Ajanee Hambrick and Malik Spence chimed in with their lush harmonies, the audience melted. The second came when her focus was interrupted by a charming and sincere expression of gratitude for the Tiny Desk platform. For a split second it appears as though she's about to remove those sunglasses. "Not saying that I'm your favorite artist, but maybe me being here today says a lot."
Set List
"Going" (Interlude)
"Feel A Way"
"Hard Place"
"Focus"
Credits
Producers: Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kaylee Domzalski, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri; Editor: Kaylee Domzalski; Production Assistant: Brie Martin; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR
0:00 Introduction
0:22 H.E.R. Going (Interlude)
2:54 H.E.R. Feel a Way
6:53 H.E.R. Hard Place
12:32 H.E.R. Focus
All Comments (21)
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2024 anyone? ๐
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The brother on piano is anointed he can play OMG.
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H.E.R.'s voice is like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer on a chilly autumn night.
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4 years later and that pianist still gives me chills
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the only issue with NPR is: it helps you discover amazing artists, you dig their recordings here and there ad you realize no studio recording is as passionate and magic as these live sets.
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I wish this was at least an hour long
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As a grown up man, 75, I listen to H.E.R. Halleluja, it is never too late for great musical experiences!
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The importance of back up singers is underrated, they make these song's so colorful. Talk about beauty.
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is it normal to watch this everyday??
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Anyone else's brain melts everytime HER starts singing "Focus"?
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I think that the pianist needs a whole bunch of compliments. Listening to him gives this exellent concert another dimension. He gives this R&B a certain jazz feeling that isnยดt wrong at all! Together with the band he fits in completely. I am so exited about this consert! Greetings from a 76 old man from Sweden.
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Who's back enjoying this in 2022? Pure gold.
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It's crazy how she sound just like the record that rare she is so talented I need to see her live
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This makes no goddamn sense... the runs, the vocals, the instruments. It was simply meant to be. Thank you Universe for creating H.E.R.
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she sings so calmly for so long. so soothing. insane control
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HER deserves a second tiny desk!! ๐
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She's talented.ย These Tiny Desk performances are life.ย It really does separate label puppets from the artists.
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This is the king of R&B right now.
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Still listening to this in 2022. Can we just take a moment to appreciate the harmonies and runs in this rendition of โfocusโ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
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The brother on the keys is incredible!
