H.E.R.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

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Dec. 12, 2018 | Bobby Carter -- It's been said that you only get one chance to make a first impression. In H.E.R.'s case, you get two. She stunned us as a special guest for Daniel Ceasar's Tiny Desk concert earlier this year, in an appearance that showcased her vocal mastery. That earned her an invite to play again, front-and-center. She attacked her second go 'round with more fervor than the first, highlighting her skills as a multi-instrumentalist, maneuvering between acoustic and electric guitars, then the Fender Rhodes.

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
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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.

_left_eye
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The brother on piano is anointed he can play OMG.

ayomiku
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H.E.R.'s voice is like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer on a chilly autumn night.

ftVanillaMami
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4 years later and that pianist still gives me chills

GangsterNerd
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Whole band is incredible, as is H.E.R., but that piano player is NEXT LEVEL

adamwebb
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The importance of back up singers is underrated, they make these song's so colorful. Talk about beauty.

Pholoso
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Keep rewatching this because her voice just so healing 😢

Augustskies
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Don't sleep on someone who appears to be introverted. They have sooo much to offer!!

nachoxsupreme
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she sings so calmly for so long. so soothing. insane control

rohankhubchandani
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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

DeNay
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The audio is always so on point. The tiny desk engineers are incredible

Duflachify
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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 “focus”🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

jham
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She's talented.  These Tiny Desk performances are life.  It really does separate label puppets from the artists.

jbiggernu
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The brotha on the keys. FIYAH.
The brotha on the drums. FIYAH
The brotha on the bass. FIYAH.
The Sista and Brotha on FIERCE.

clydestraw
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Who's back enjoying this in 2022? Pure gold.

JohnKofiDapaah
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Song start times:
"Going (Interlude)" 0:00
"Feel A Way" 2:43
"Hard Place" 6:47
"Focus" 12:27

So grateful for this video, have rewatched it so many times.

anthonyleong
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This guy on the drums really looks like he's not even trying, but he's killing it. The talent in that room among all of them is on another level

Joewilliams
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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.

remoteworkqueen
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I have to circle back around to this in 2023. I can really hear Stevie Wonder's influence when she goes into that vamp on focus. Especially from the piano players chords. Then her is improvising over that with India Arie vibes. I just love this because she's not just copying people. This is really brilliant musicianship from her and the band members. I'd love to sit in with them. They are having so much fun with it. 🥰

cookiethesnitch
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HER reminds me in so many ways of Lauryn Hill. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

euniceedeoghon