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
2024 anyone? 👀
all day
❤
Yup❤
Always 😍
Fav tinydesk❤
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.
yeah i've been underwhelmed about a couple of times. something about these sessions that bring out the best in artists.
Alfie my other issue is since I’m not an employee I can’t go to any of their concerts 😓
Alfie Go see live sets!!!!!
Barlee Gbala i live in Roma and, at 48, still haven’t visited USA yet.. when I finally will, one of these npr sets will be on top of the must see list
Mia culpa!
4 years later and that pianist still gives me chills
Legit!!!! Adds a whole new dimension to the songs!
Dude!!!! ❤❤
SIM!!
SIM!!
yes
H.E.R.'s voice is like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer on a chilly autumn night.
Yes that's exactly it! 😍
Never heard anything more accurate 💕
Currently listening on a chilly autumn morning, it really is!
Spot on. Wish the concert was longer.
Yes, perfect description ❤
The brother on piano is anointed he can play OMG.
tears
yeah he is DOPE!
ANOINTED, YOU HEAR ME?! 🙌🏾
femi adebayo agree!
when he played the harp part of focus on the piano sheeeeeeeesh
is it normal to watch this everyday??
Yes.
Yes🔥
owen denston Yes
perfectly normal👍
That's true
The importance of back up singers is underrated, they make these song's so colorful. Talk about beauty.
So true half the time they help write it too so it's their song too so they feel it
That’s all I wanted to be was in the background and be a background vocal. They really add to the song. And the statement is right some of them do help write songs
Tobe has amazing backups on his TD
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 isn´t 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.
Strange as it may seem, this consert was new for me 4 weeks ago. But it is never to late.
And I promise to never again use my age as a "thumbs-up-collector". I have felt bad about that from the start.
And if you are scared of getting old I can tell you that isnt something to bother about. This music (and other music) will follow you up in ages.
I agree sir. 👍 the Pianist very proficient and his dexterity is very well verse. 👌
Swedish 22 year old here, completely agree with you!
She asked "Can I sing to y'all" Girl...... whatchu think Imma say??
You think I wasn't when I WAS??!?!?!
Facts. Lol Sanggg hunni
😭😭😭😭😭😭
likes at 444- 🏃🏽♂️💨
Lol
I wish this was at least an hour long
a full 2 ours at least
Not anything on H.E.R., but i feel like the concerts are so awesome because the energy is always so high, and if they were longer, it wouldn't always be so.
It should be three hours of her singing on one note
Agreed
Just listen to it 3 or more times:)
Who's back enjoying this in 2022? Pure gold.
I've listened to this everyday since it came out
Me
H.E.R. Day one!!
We here!
Definitely, chilling/crying out of happiness/feeling connected to the universe/hoping she’ll meet me when I die/enjoying the sh¡t out of this🕉❤️🧿🕯
she sings so calmly for so long. so soothing. insane control
She played 3 different instruments while slaying her vocals. Is she real?
💯👏💯👏💯I was shooketh!!!❤
AND she's only 21 years old?! She can't be real
gregster249 2 different types of guitars and the keyboard 3
Yeahhhh...see her live and she plays more than that...Luv HER!!!
gregster249 they are played differently. Therefore they are considered different instrument,
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.
thank you, im still trying to make sense of it. It's just good and we're all searching for it
The whole daggum crew is just DOPE....
Thank God for creating H.E.R. and the whole universe!
Jino 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
HER deserves a second tiny desk!! 💕
I agree completely!! 🤍
I agree
Still listening to this in 2022. Can we just take a moment to appreciate the harmonies and runs in this rendition of “focus”🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Yesssss
Insane!!
love it soo much
yup, and these runs make me go crazy
YES it's the best version of Focus I can't get enough!
Anyone else's brain melts everytime HER starts singing "Focus"?
I heard the songwriter describe what inspired him to write the first verse. So powerful.
Gabby Custodia every time!
@@kokolatte825 it's about his mom, right?
Gabby Custodia all the time
Yes!💓
The brotha on the keys. FIYAH. The brotha on the drums. FIYAH The brotha on the bass. FIYAH. The Sista and Brotha on background...... FIERCE.
They so hot they are gonna be banned on two continents and the 48 contingency!! Awesome job!
Man, you got it right, except Z on keys gets a "hella MF fire"! I mean, just whoa!
🔥🔥🔥
@Llurky lol okay
Clyde Straw they really come together well!!!!
Can we pass a hat around for the pianist please can you hear the delicately full sound he is playing with 🔥
The brother on the keys is incredible!
I think KZhead needs to make people explain why they dislike certain content
LOL! So true
It’s no explanation a hater can give me 😂
LOL I literally just said this in my head and scrolled down to your comment!!! OMG right!???
Literally!! stuff be soo perfect with 10k dislikes... also why can't they just like comment? perhaps make it as if it's 'constructive criticism' ke
some people are raised to think that thumbs down is a positive thing and vice versa, like how some people nod their heads for no and shake their heads for yes.
Don't sleep on someone who appears to be introverted. They have sooo much to offer!!
Blakk Fero tru
my guy; quiet,humble,amazing builder and greatest comedian
Say it Louder! So true !
Word
Yes she appears to be focus is my fave
Whoever is on the keys.... just amazing 👏
HER reminds me in so many ways of Lauryn Hill. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
I thought the same when I first heard her
Love Lauren and her style is similar but it’s HER for me🙌🏽 this you d women is genius!!
I was thinking the same.
A mix between Lauryn & Alicia Keys
This is the king of R&B right now.
Desean Gahner facts!
✅
And she dont eeeeyeeee yyeeeeeeeyyeeeeeyyyeee 😭😂
*Queen Of R&B
TheRelentless1ne no, King is correct.
Between H.E.R and the background, you'd think a Choir was singing
H.E.R. albums are one of few that you click play on track one and never hit skip.....
TOP TIER!!! This woman sounds exactly like her records/even better than the record. Her voice, tone, musicianship, EVERYTHING!
ELITE MUSICIAN AND VOCALIST
Watching this I feel like I owe them some money.
NPR'S pledge drive would love this comment. Expect a call from IRA Glass 🤣🤣🤣
Buy her music 🤷🏽♂️
Literally same and like I should throw my shoe
H.E.R: *"Can I sing to y'all?!" Guy in Audience: *"Please!"*
Jiraiya Sannin I was the 420th like....your welcome
That ‘Feel a way’ song is magical, H.E.R is a rockstar 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Are we not gonna talk about how the drummer is COMPLETELY in pocket, and transitions so nice???! 🥰🤗 This blessed my SOUL.
He was DEFINITELY in the pocket.
I wish you could hear the brush sticks on the hi hat better! Also sad that his snare trigger doesn't activate multiple times during the set. Regardless, neither caused any hiccups during the set and his playing was perfect. Amazed by all of it still.
Whole band is incredible, as is H.E.R., but that piano player is NEXT LEVEL
Zo!
damn true
You're so right
That's what I'm talking about
adamwebb241 he compliments her voice and lyrics perfectly
Damn she's the best R&B singer in the game right now
Trevon Wesley Jasmine Sullivan blows her out the water, she has much more range and control of her vocals.
She the king of r&b😂😂😂
Don't let jacquees see this lmao
@@ben23232 Daniel Caesar is the King !!!!!!!
Look out for Masego he's super talented
My God, the focus record is one of the best live performances ever .
Props to the background singers they did amazing 👏
Ajanee makes amazing music. Check her out. She is amazing.
@@TheVeganSDAMom is that who is singing in the background?
🥰🥺 *Been waiting since she came on with Daniel Caesar*
Dan c was epic
Literally!!!!! Thanks Tiny Desk... H.E.R. rocks!!!❤
It's crazy how she sound just like the record that rare she is so talented I need to see her live
VERY RARE THESE DAYS
She's good
You should, she's a great performer! I've seen her twice this year
that's at least partially due to the AAA mixing from NPR sound engineers
@M C Which she is a good writer and arranger. Singer... NOT. Pitchy, flat and all over the place. She is like a spoken word chick at best. She needs to see Ms. Jan about those vocals ASAP!
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. 🥰
My favorite Tiny Desk performance… I keep coming back and I can’t help it
She is the new generation of r&b PERIOD
She is keeping it alive..the kids only love Hip Hop , quit dissin and feel some Soul
The new up'n'coming faces of R'n'B mt.Rushmore H.E.R Brent Faiyaz SZA Daniel Caesar
@@john-adriancoker2789 Mac Ayres would fit that list too
More like a throw back to the old school stuff. The best stuff.
LaTonya Stylez I agree R&B/Neo soul 😍
“Not That I’m Your Favorite Artist ” girllll yes you are😭😩
EXACTLY ‼️ ‼️
She's amazing ...her voice her style is so different ,like she turned her private musings into songs..and she's singing for herself and noone else ...that's beautiful .
Accurate!
She is so cute!
Facts
It's been 4 years and I still can't get over how amazing this is. The harmonies, the runs in focus, and the whole band are just amazing, to say the least.
harmonizing with her guitar too wow
She's talented. These Tiny Desk performances are life. It really does separate label puppets from the artists.
@pickpocket95 I can't hear it..sounds perfect..if there are they sound right haha!
@@stanvanillo9831 label puppets like Katy Perry, Rihanna, Britney Spears, pretty much pop stars in general.
jbiggernu your damn right about that man!!
I concur!!!
FACTS AF what you say
HER voice, HER skin, HER lip stick, HER glasses , HER outfit, HER band, HER humble confidence, HER HAIRRRRRRR!!!!! #HER!!!!!.. I'm in love!
Girl me too!!! H.E.R. is everything!!
Yes I love her. Humble and passionate
Totally agree! She's beautiful
Best skin in the industry. The fine balance between the right moisturiser and musical glow.
HER TEETH!!!!!
She’s just so smooth. A beast on the guitar too! HERcules 💪
I've watched this literally thousands of times and barely noticed how she commands that stage and works it leading the band. She's a prodigy. She's talent.
YOUR GOING TO WIN EVERY GRAMMY YOU WERE NOMINATED FOR 💯💯
Faith Jones she deserves so much!!!
We claim that for her as loyal fans and new followers
In the name of Jesus and all things good, we declare victory!!!!
You got to have Faith :)
@@Kahanaa dude i respect your beliefs but how about respect other peoples.
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
Joseph Williams They are definitely in the pocket!!!
They are all killing it! Each and everyone of them
SayconTalks Amen. Another level .
I'm feeling you all the way! I
A WHOLE nutha level!
this performance never fails to give me chills even 5 years later
Can we get a new HER tiny desk!... She has put out so much amazing music since - bless the people, plz!
The audio is always so on point. The tiny desk engineers are incredible
no doubt.. those microphones are amazing..
straight up!
FACTS!!! 💯🔥💯🔥💯
They really are! Good shout
truly amazing!
With all the recent debates... H.E.R. is actually this generation’s King of R&B!
better!
Case closed
QUEEN😎😎
So true!
Daniel ceaser is king shes queen
This tiny desk made me fall in love with HER. It's been five years and I can never get tired of coming back to this. Truly just perfect
Tiny Desk…ALWAYS superb performances & recordings. Each musician and singer doing their individual best to create gorgeous music together. Zo’s piano playing is beyond beautiful 😍
That pianist is spectacular
Who is he? He's crazy
@@geirivindhvidsten6681 Hes zo. He also makes original music which is pretty good.
AMEN!!!
@@leoninglis6947 Amazing feel and style to his playing! Gotta check it out, thanks
The guy on the piano is impressing the hell out of me. Scratch that, the entire band is amazing so glad I found H.E.R.
that's Zo!...check him out
Now that u have, go check out her first mixtapes n albums PROMISE they are as fire as these performances
Her band is just as shy...that was so cute❤
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.
I just wanna have a talk with the people that dislike this video
Lujayn facts. The Anderson paak one too
86kingant love that one. Anderson Paak is fire!
Jareau Vandal, Mac Ayres, Allen Stone, Hablot Brown, Moonchild, Vulfpeck, please!! It's a music emergency! The world needs this badly!!
Lujayn, Word!
💀💀💀
This version of Focus is 😍😍😍 wish she would play Every Kind Of Way though
Regita Dunda i wish she played carried away
Regita Dunda I’ll play it for you 😍
I'm getting goosebumps off this performance.
Take you there😭
This young lady is so talented. The band sounds so pure.
This is definitely one of the best tiny desk concerts
Now I need a frank ocean and rex tiny desk concert
💯
Wishful thinking
The world just isn't ready.
facts
Frank is about to do a call in performance like Bobby Shmurda in that song with 6ix9ine 🤣🤣🤣
Who else is cycling tiny desk videos between H.E.R, Daniel Caeser, The Roots and Anderson Paak?
don't forget jorja smith and tom misch
All fucking day
Anderson.Paak, H.E.R, Christian Scott Atunde, Tank and the Bangas & Daniel Cesar for me
i am!! didn’t know the roots had a tiny desk video so i’m gonna go check that out! :-)
@@MultiCass2 Its amazing, you gotta check it out
I’m convinced this is the best tiny desk I’ve ever listened to with Jazmine in close 2nd but HER stripped back live like this nothing comes close she lets the music use her and flows like water.
She is so dorn beautiful and her voice matches her beauty!
it's funny how H.E.R often says "nah" in the middle of the songs, and in contrast Daniel Caesar usually says "yes" lul
Lmaoo good observation
toooo funny
I said the same thing.
💥Mind blown. Hadn't realized
Yayyyyy 1k likes! I'm your 1k like. 💘
This is why I Hate Tiny Desk!!!! I can’t listen to the original after lol
Ain't that the truth!
Yes you can. Itunes has all the tiny desk on podcast. Check it out.
You are right.they have artistic freedom to deliver the song with true intent not for broad appeal..there comes to battle between artist and record label...peace to all music lovers...music the powerful art
So true. Lol.
I swear I been listening to this every day since it post and I got all her albums 😥
This will forever be one of the top 3 things she's done musically.
We still rewatching HER Tiny desk!
Yep! She is amazing!
Look, I know that H.E.R. and the band are amazing. But let's talk about the sound engineering. The sound is absolutely amazing !!! The vocal and the instruments are organically mixed, very natural, I'd say better than the studio version.
alienboiloic boom! her Musical Director (the pianist) really deserves a lot of credit here! Glad you mentioned this.
Awesome!!😎
All the npr are amazing
Absolutely.
👍🏽👏🏾
Anyone else appreciate the guy on the keys?
I keep saying it!! He's AMAZING.
Of course! It’s Zo! Zo! Is just as dope as Robert glaspar
Amen
of course
¡¡¡¡Es muy bueno :)
Effortlessly switches from electric guitar, to acoustic guitar, to the piano. The definition of musicianship. Oh, and her voice is angelic.
H.E.R. has a special Spirit. I love her music. I can listen to her all day. I just saw her live in Chicago she was amazing.
This how black church’s music be..the transitions are INSANE..I play piano and I MISS THIS vibe. You can literally feel the music through your body and you let your soul take control.. there’s nothing like it in the world. Music is a true god given gift
This is not gospel. Gospel singers would have blown the mic up vocally.
kamala b never said it was gospel. I said the vibe of devotion in black churches is similar to this live set. I never used the word ‘gospel’ in my statement. But thanks for trying hun :)
aleesha taylor I stand by what I said. Nowhere near the black church. Nice try hun!
kamala b I think I have the expertise to say but everyone has the right to their opinion even if it disagrees w mine. I stand by what I said and continue on with your views ;)
Thats the energy i always look for this session is so stimulating
0:00 Going (Interlude) 2:40 Feel A Way 6:48 Hard Place 12:29 Focus
Lol all my current favorite songs from her currently
Amazing the inspirational artist out
Thank you 🙂
Not all heros wear capes... Thank u!!
Good look 👌
I still come back to THIS Tiny Desk experience in 2022. HER really slayed this. I just love her entire sound and intentionality with vocals and her band. 💓 Thank you, NPR for bringing great musicians to your platform.💗
She’s one of the best her concerts are amazing she’s a true musician very rare
Whoever does sound for these sets deserves a massive raise
And the pianist is FLAWLESS!
Whats the pianists name please
simon kubeka Alonzo Harris, aka Zo
Yeah, there's definitely something there. Dude's at another level.
I was just checking if someone has been noticed that 🙌🏾
He sounds like Robert Glasper 👏🏾👏🏾
00:10 going (interlude) 02:43 Feel a way 06:47 Hard Place 12:23 focus
Thank you❤️
Thank you so much!!😩
Thanks. It irritates me that NPR don't put the time stamps in the description. Some of us come back again and again just for that one song!
The time stamps are helpful but it's hard to skip over any of the songs!
No need to skip. Even her speaking is harmonious 💘
H.E.R. is thee bomb... So young and talented! And those background singers were ❤❤❤❤!
i'm in an infinite loop in FOCUS . ♥
The industry took this vocal and sound off commercial radio, and replaced it with pale imitations, just my opinion. This smooth vocal, not that gravelly forced singing, is what I appreciate about Soul and R&B.
Rebecca she’s talented as fuck shut up
You are telling the truth
lol, dude i dont think you get what she is saying.
Kenneth Duke, II @Rebecca is also saying, that H.E.R is talented. As well as the stuff on mainstream radio isn’t as good as H.E.R.. What are you tripping about ?
LMAO! @@kennethdukeii1133
So next time your parents or anybody says "today's music is trash" just send em this video and tell em to STFU. There has always been both trash and good music, nowadays we just have to dig a little bit to find the gems but they still there. Everybody from the band to the backup singers the did an EXCELLENT job, they didnt just perform, they ENJOYED every note and gave us a unique, beautiful EXPERIENCE. I loved it so much. Wow.
Shes pretty much the only one... her and Caesar, holding it down for real R&B...the rest of today's music is pretty much trash tho...
with NPR and youtube recomendations you don't even have to dig anywhere :D there is a shitload of a great new music!
VivianTravels Steve lacy, ravyn lenae, Syd, summer walker, tom misch, Chloe and Halle the list goes ooooooon 😂 quite a few more than two
VivianTravels leon bridges, nick hakim, chris brown, ella mai, anthony hamilton, john legend, jessie j... please stop the hate
VivianTravels With all due respect: have several seats.
I've watched a lot of Tiny Desk Concerts, but H.E.R.'s "Going (Interlude) opening is quite possibly the most stunning of all. It singlehandedly inspired me to learn to play guitar.
Wow!! Those runs in the last song are soooooo hard to do!!! And HER and the two backing singers nailed each and every one to complete and total perfection 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 oh how I wish I could sing like that 😻😻😻😹😹😹🤗🤗
"Can I sing to ya'll?" Like you didn't just step on our chests with sound
😂😂😂
Yeeees. She's amazing
I thought H.E.R was 25 but I was today years old .. And find out we're both 21. So much maturity & talent. i love H.E.R !😍😊😭😂💘💘💘💘
This is my favorite artist
everything about H.E.R is majestic
she is the future and the savior for real music. I seen HER in concert and the girl is amazing. only 21 and her writing capabilities will knock you off your feet. I wish the best for her career, truly! I am such a big fan!!!! day one
The writing and arranging is all that ! The singing...NO
Phreeze I disagree.
Same!! ❤❤💯💯🙌🏾🙌🏾
Actual Factual!!!!!
right?
What a way to end the year, NPR 🙌🏽 Gifting us with 5 TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED H.E.R. 🔥🔥🔥
Thomas Hayes thr nomines are mainstream catchy artist for the most part they picked dumb albums
I love how HER utilizes scat so much in her songs. Super dope!
I cannot believe that this was 3 YEARS ago! Wow!
21 years young! Damm. She's velvet. That's real R&B ,old soul in a beautiful young woman
Imagine her legacy at even 30.. never mind 40!! It’s exciting
Andddd I cried. This is effortless. I have a feeling Anderson Paak will have some competition for most viewed tiny desk....
Jareau Vandal, Mac Ayres, Allen Stone, Hablot Brown, Moonchild, Vulfpeck, please!! It's a music emergency! The world needs this badly!!
tearssss
I used to repeat this tiny desk and everytime I listen to it, I want to like then I realize that I already did 🙂 how can a person be so talented. Kudos to the band too. hugs from Mozambique
Tiny room is always mentionable.