The 'Best Part' singer talks about the challenges she faced when she first started out as musician at the age of 14, claiming people told her not to bring her guitar on stage.
- Jul 17, 2021
AceShowbiz - H.E.R. recalled being told not to bring her guitar onstage because "kids aren't going to get it."
The "Best Part" hitmaker who is known for both her stunning vocals and electrifying guitar playing spoke out about the challenges she faced as a young artist, having been signed to a record label when she was still at school, aged 14-years-old.
Speaking about her early days in the industry, she admitted that people "expected her to do great things" but the ever present pressure "absolutely" hindered her as she was growing up.
"Everybody has people who doubt them, or try to take away from who they are, but at the end of the day, those things don't matter" she told Glamour U.K. magazine.
"On my first tour, certain people were like, 'don't bring your guitar out (because) kids aren't going to get it.' What if I had compromised myself? I might not be where I am right now. So you can't pay attention to people. I'm always gonna focus on myself."
Music has always been important to the "Girl Like Me" singer who enjoys the power it has to bring people together.
"I've always been a fan of music and family and bringing people together from all different backgrounds," she added. "In my family, at every party there was live music. Being Filipino and Black, I have that foundation and love for music. You know, Filipinos love Mariah Carey, they love Whitney Houston, they love R&B music. And of course, Black music is the foundation of all music, you know. I think I didn't realise how much that played a role until recently."
