The Prodigy

H. E. R. IS ELUSIVE, YET HARD TO FORGET. AS FANS GOT TO WITNESS during her performance at Toronto’s Rebel nightclub in November, she has a confident and commanding presence that defies her enigmatic persona. “I’ve been around a lot of artists and I’ve gotten to watch the greats,” she says. “I’ve been very observant and I’ve been taught to be a boss and a leader. I’m a student of the game.”

Her teachers include mentors like Alicia Keys, and influences like Prince and Lauryn Hill. On her recent EP, I Used to Know Her: Part 2, the Vallejo, CA native trades her dreamy alt-R&B style for a sound reminiscent of Hill’s earthy, more acoustic approach. It’s a platform for H.E.R., a music prodigy whose talents led her to open for acts like Tony! Toni! Toné! at just 9 years old, to showcase the breadth of her abilities.

Part 2’ s barer backdrop shines a spotlight on H.E.R.’s poetry skills (she became a published poet at age 8), and her musicianship — she plays several instruments including the guitar, piano, bass and drums.

“I’m really about my musicality. I think the trap R&B sound from [earlier EPs] Volume 1 and Volume 2 is the sound that I was doing in that moment. But I’m constantly creating and I always move on to the next thing. [ Part 2] is a little bit more stripped-down. It’s just another side of me.”

Other artists might be tempted to stick to the formula that catapulted their success, but H.E.R., now 21, isn’t afraid to push her own boundaries. “You can’t control a creative person, especially not me. I can’t say [what’s next] until I get in the studio and create it. But you’re always going to get honesty. You’re always going to get H.E.R.”