Every now and then, we have artists that come into the industry that are destined for success. American R&B singer, H.E.R. fits this description as her rise to stardom has been a monumental one over the last few years. Exposed to the limelight at a young age after being discovered online for doing music covers under her real name, Gabi Wilson, the artist rebranded herself under stage name in 2016 and has released several EPs and compilation albums over the five years. This June, H.E.R. finally graces fans with the release of her debut album, Back of My Mind.
The hype around her debut has been at an all-time high. Before the album’s release, we have seen the release of three singles, ‘Slide’ featuring YG, ‘Damage’ and ‘Come Through’ featuring Chris Brown. One of my favorite things about H.E.R. is her versatility to have her voice fit to many types of music. Early in her career, her brand was shrouded in anonymity, a strategy similar to that of The Weeknd in his early stages of his career. In numerous interviews, H.E.R. stated that she wants her music to be the voice of many women and the situations they go through in everyday life. She depicts the topics of heartbreak, struggle, and pain very well on the debut album. Back of My Mind also includes features from Ty Dolla $ign, Cordae, Lil’ Baby, Yung Bleu, DJ Khaled & Bryson Tiller.
H.E.R.’s debut album is a solid project to formally introduce old and new fans of the singer. Her sound is very distinct and she has been able to fit various genres of music so effortlessly over the last 7 years. If this is your first time listening to the singer, go back in her catalog and listen to some of the artist’s other projects. You won’t be disappointed. Add Back of My Mind to your playlist this summer by streaming it on all music streaming services.
We Made It
I can’t believe it
And no I don’t mean Tallahassee
When I’m talking about the pain
Been a lot of grey clouds
Guess I can stand the rain
Since COVID and Racism wanted to be the new edition
Disbanded more than just a group
Created so much friction
Created so much tension
Created so much division
So much was up for revision
And I made it
And I’m not talking about the MTV show
We learned so much in 15 months
But we still got a long road
Stuck in fragility
More people need to show humility
Most quick to show agility
Because they’re equipped with the ability
To think they understand
The things they couldn’t stand
How you create a new holiday
When you still fail to understand
Thinking they outsmarted us
Like they got the upper hand
They just trying to show progress
The only thing I’m trying to process
Is all these tests I’ve passed yes
Thank you for reading
I’ll take it as I compliment
It really was for you all
I thank you for the content
Trauma
Trauma
Used to take over my anatomy
Send help
It felt like people just want to laugh at me
Like my life was meant for standup
When my whole life, it was me that had to standup
We had sit in the back of the bus and now we should stand our ground
You don’t know how many times last year
I just wanted to get home safe and sound
And I heard the trumpets play
Like in the song, I hope it’s not angels taking me away
Because I got too much time left and many things left to say
Is it worth it?
Trying to identify with our struggle
We haven’t been on the same team
Sharing the same huddle
And when the Friday night lights come
I hope our bodies ain’t chalking up the streets
Stop putting us into cages dangling appropriation at our feet
This movement for change
Is not for the weak
That ain’t measured by you
But the company you keep
Lucky
Lucky
Lucky that you had a chance
Two left feet and you couldn’t dance
Like there’s no tomorrow
Lucky
You didn’t stick around
Lucky I didn’t stand my ground
Like I never had sorrow
And now I hope you don’t think
You was the best
I’m a let you get you off your chest
Need to iron things out because you still pressed
Lucky
You still find the time to still press
On my IG stories you still digest
You messed up this main quest
You wanted to have side quests
Now the stock you got was worth nothing
A wasted time to invest
Lucky
I can sit back and just laugh
I’ve been perfecting my craft
That place in time was pretty rough
But in all it was just a draft
Reggie Johnson is a poet reigning from Cincinnati, Ohio. Starting at the age of nine, Reggie has been writing poetry through their love of music and life experiences. He has 9 books now available on Amazon. You can follow him on Twitter @r_d_johnson and on IG @rdjohnsonwrites.