H.E.R.

Some artists are known for their voices; H.E.R. has made her musicianship just as central to her identity. The California-born singer and songwriter, whose mother is Filipina and father African-American, first drew attention while keeping her face and real name out of the spotlight. Her blend of R&B, soul and accomplished instrumental work soon earned her a following, along with a reputation for writing songs that speak to both private heartbreak and wider social concerns.

H.E.R. has won five Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for co-writing “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah, and an Emmy Award. Her song “I Can’t Breathe”, written amid protests against racial injustice, won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 2021. It remains a notable example of how she brings questions of race and equality into her music without losing its intimacy.

In 2025, she won a Black Reel Award for “The Journey”, from The Six Triple Eight. She also moved into animation with a role in Forgotten Island, a DreamWorks film drawing on Filipino folklore, released in 2026. Across music and film, H.E.R. continues to bring her heritage to audiences worldwide.