Sometimes we notice an artist early in life, only to see them finally break through years later. That was the case with multi-instrumental performer and Grammy award winner H.E.R. It is very difficult to view a child prodigy and predict sure success as an adult. Talented children grow up and deliver on early promise, but there are various factors. H.E.R. is an artist who is known by the acronym for Having Everything Revealed. Today, we will discuss H.E.R.’s early start and why I believe her time for big things in music has finally arrived.
Back in 2007, I was sitting at home one morning when a little girl came on and was preparing to sing and play the piano. Not a big deal as I had seen many talented kids before. The interview was interesting, as Ann Curry asked the young artist about her life and love of music. She was Gabi Wilson. Curry mentioned her about her love for writing poetry, that she is a straight A student and her ability to play multiple musical instruments. Next they brought out her parents who basically provided Gabi with the normal childhood. The father was an ironworker who worked as a musician with a band on the side. However, the little girl was a musical prodigy. Gabi went on to perform songs of Alicia Keys quite well. Millions of people were watching something extraordinary that morning.
After being signed to RCA under Sony at the age of 14, Gabi Wilson released a single in 2014 called “Something To Prove”. RCA understood that they had a seasoned young artist who was ready for the next step. Previously, in addition to the Today Show appearance, she made an appearance at the Apollo Theater in Harlem at just 10, and notched performances covering Keys on Maury and The View.Â
Re-emerging in late 2016 with a new persona and her debut EP, H.E.R. Vol. 1 was released September 9, 2016, executive produced by producer and songwriter David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, Wilson received support from Usher, Tyrese, Pusha T, and Wyclef Jean; label mates Alicia Keys and Bryson Tiller helped get the word out through Twitter co-signs, shoutouts, and re-posts.
It is easy to confirm that Wilson and H.E.R. are the same artist, thanks to songwriting credits listed on music royalty monitor ASCAP. Searching for Gabriella Wilson as a writer renders 20 tracks, all of which list H.E.R. as the performer and appeared on H.E.R. records, including Vol. 1 and its follow-up, which was released in June 2017. Why the persona change? There may be several reasons.
Her manager and founder of MBK Entertainment Jeff Robinson explained to the LA Times in July 2017: “Coming out in this kind of way has made her freer so that she can just concentrate on making music, and having people judge the music for what it is… She wanted to touch people without dealing with anything else.”
I understood the explanation from Robinson, because I’m sure it kept many distractions from his young artist and helped her focus on songwriting and performing. However, there may be more to the name and persona change than just a relief from outside agitation.
Addressing the secrecy over her identity, H.E.R. has said: “The mystery is a metaphor for who I am, or who I was at the time of creating the project […] I feel like oftentimes we don’t like to be open as people about our emotions or things that we are going through. At the time [of recording], I was very closed off except for when I was writing or when I was in the studio.”
She explained further, “I am a voice for women who feel like they’re alone in these situations. This project came from emotion, and that’s what I want it to be about – not what I look like or who I’m with, but the raw emotion and support for women.” To NPR she added, “I feel like this is the era of the anti-star. I really just wanted it to be about the music, and get away from, ‘Who is she with?’ and ‘What is she wearing?'”
Another good explanation for why H.E.R adopted the neutral persona. There are thousands of music fans who also understand and applaud those reasons for anonymity. However, most artists of today and yesterday have adopted stage names under which they are known. Giving them a little personal identity away from hungry press coverage into intimate details of their lives. I always felt that with Gabi Wilson (H.E.R), she and her family possibly made a conscious effort to seek the persona change as an extra layer of protection.
I have written before that the music industry is like most industries, but very different at the artist level. If you are an artist you must understand that there are no 9 to 5 jobs with weekends off. You are working day and night without time for adequate rest. If you attend a party you are making an appearance. Recording times can go on for hours without much break time. The more popular you become, the more intense the schedule. It is significant for a young artist to have good influences close to them that keep them on course. If not, the bad influences will find you and destroy you. If you think I’m wrong, look back at the number of artist who died of drug overdoses or similar before the age of thirty!
H.E.R appears well grounded and prepared for what comes next. Yes, at 22 years old we are seeing and hearing the very beginning of her career. H.E.R, the compilation album released on October 20, 2017, won Best R&B Album and received four other nominations at the 61st Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist for H.E.R.
Now that young Gabi Wilson (or H.E.R.) has climbed to this point in her career, it might be a little easier to see what comes next. Certainly it is easier than back in 2007 when the ten-year old sat at the piano covering Alicia Keys songs. The young artist is now on the “I Used to Know H.E.R. Tour” in support of her latest EP “I Used to Know H.E.R.: The Prelude”, which Wilson has stated is a prelude to her upcoming debut album. Yes, more music is coming! Good music. In fact we’re hearing some of it now. H.E.R is like a fine bottle of Champaign freshly uncorked. We are getting our first taste. H.E.R time has arrived!