H.E.R. Says You Can Expect ‘Roots Reggae, Dancehall, R&B Feels’ In New Project
Fans may be in for a wait, but American songstress H.E.R. is determined to add Reggae artist to her growing list of laurels.
The Grammy and Oscar award-winner told The Observer that despite the delay, her island-inspired suite is on its way. Spurred by her sultry collaboration with Skip Marley, Slow Down, which went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Chart last year, H.E.R. embarked on the project after witnessing the genre’s global appeal firsthand.
“I can’t reveal too much yet, but it [the album] is in the works and I’m super excited for the world to hear it. Fans can expect roots-reggae, dancehall, R&B feels and so many different vibes, and a lot of dope reggae artistes,” H.E.R. told the Jamaica Observer.
While she added that the album’s guest list would remain a “surprise”, Shenseea has already confirmed that she’ll be featured on the project. “I’m on H.E.R.’s album and I love her literally! She’s super talented,” Shenseea said during Hot 97’s talk show Nessa On Air in August. “I love that, she got passion and I would definitely work with H.E.R. again too.”
Back in February, the 24-year-old singers shared photos of themselves in the studio.
H.E.R. also shared her excitement that her duet with Marley, Slow Down was now certified RIAA Gold.
“I’m so excited Slow Down is gold. This is one of my favourite collaborations. It brings new R&B and reggae music together. Means the world that people love this record as much as we do,” she said. “I love performing with Skip. We have so much fun on stage together. The chemistry is real and I hope it shows.”
H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, has stated in past interviews that she’s been a “huge fan” of Reggae since she was a child. Speaking with Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1 in July, the Best Part singer shared the concept behind the project.
“I realized how much I loved Caribbean music and I’ve always known that, but just really getting into it and celebrating that culture,” she explained. “I really wanted to like go all in, so I’m working on that right now,” she said.
For the singer, ‘going all in’ has also meant previous visits to the island for a creative recharge. “I usually don’t… but when I do.. 🇯🇲,” H.E.R captioned a few Instagram photos from her August 2020 trip, a month after she released the Sister Nancy-indebted single, Do To Me.
For other snapshots, she simply wrote, “I love it here.”
Shortly before July’s Apple interview, H.E.R. made another of her secret stopovers in Jamaica, this time to shoot the video for DJ Khaled’s WE GOING CRAZY with the Migos.