Over the course of six years, H.E.R. (Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, aka H.E.R. which stands for “Having Everything Revealed”) has steadily become one of modern-day’s most acclaimed R&B artists. Her music is a direct representation of the times, and her guitar style reflects the sounds of Hendrix and Prince while simultaneously expressing her own signature essence. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, H.E.R. grew up watching her father’s band rehearse in their living room. She found excitement and inspiration behind the sound of a distorted guitar and recognized this feeling as a calling.
At 13-years-old, H.E.R. appeared on the Apollo Theater stage and by 14, had signed her first record deal. In 2017, she released a compilation album of her first two EPs, called H.E.R. This effort awarded H.E.R. with several nominations and a win for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance at the 61st GRAMMY Awards. Her 2019 compilation album, I Used to Know Her, also received several GRAMMY nominations and continued her streak of certified gold and platinum achievements. To continue adding to the list, in 2021, H.E.R. was awarded the GRAMMY for Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe” and the GRAMMY for Best Original Song for “Fight for You.”
A decorated artist with undeniable talent, H.E.R. has used her platform to compose music that is unafraid and unapologetic. Often found with a Fender Strat in hand, when playing H.E.R. and her guitar appear to be in a dance within the lyrics and melody. She displayed this unique and captivating style at Super Bowl LV, where she performed her celebrated version of “America the Beautiful.” Still a young artist with years of creation ahead of her, H.E.R.’s striking music and intuitive playing is sure to influence up-and-coming artists for generations to come.
Speaking of a Fender Strat, H.E.R. is the first Black female artist to have a signature guitar with Fender — the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster in a beautiful Chrome Glow.
Written by Victoria Shaffer