Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Fil-Am R&B Singer H.E.R.

If you’ve been around the music scene, then you’ve probably heard of H.E.R. She’s most popular to mainstream music as the featured female duet partner of Daniel Caesar in hit R&B single “Best Part.” But this 21-year old artist’s a force to be reckoned with in the R&B scene, earning five Grammy Nominations and won two of them: Best R&B performance for “Best Part” and Best R&B album. H.E.R. maintains a low profile, so you may be surprised to know how down-to-earth she is, especially being raised half-Pinoy. H.E.R. is definitely proud of her Filipino roots, bringing Filipino values and spirit in her lifestyle and even her music.

Getting to know H.E.R.

1. She grew up with the classic Filipino Diet

In an interview with Inquirer, H.E.R. describes being used to having rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tocino and Longganisa were on the menu as well. She also goes for pancit. And her absolute favorites? Cassava cake and leche flan made by her Filipina mother.

2. Karaoke is part of H.E.R.’s musical journey

H.E.R., like many of us, has Magic Mic in the house! As someone who grew up with a heavy dose of blues and soul music, she also grew up singing classic ballads. Mariah Carey and Celine Deon were part of her song list, of course. But she sang Filipino songs as well. She learned songs from Filipina darling Sharon Cuneta. And just like every talented Filipino kid out there, she was often told to sing in front of her parents’ friends.

3. H.E.R. song “Could’ve Been” is Barrack Obama Approved

The third track to her 2018 EP “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” made it to the former president’s playlist of 2018. She jokingly commends him for having good music taste but is essentially honored.

4. Alicia Keys handed her the key to success

H.E.R. definitely met a full circle moment being nominated for a Grammy award for the first time the same year Alicia Keys was hosting it. Keys was a big inspiration to H.E.R.’s music. She describes Keys being more of a big sister than a mentor. When she was fifteen or sixteen years old, Alicia told H.E.R that all she needed to make a great song was “three chords and the truth.”

5. H.E.R. sunglasses are more than just aesthetics…

…she also has them to keep a low profile. She says she owns a lot of them and loses many of them as well. While fans may have seen her face or know her name, she still likes to keep things on the down-low. She would rather people focus on her music rather than her identity. Much of her values she credits to the way she was raised by her parents.