H.E.R. may have just celebrated her 20th birthday, but she has already established herself as one of the most exciting and influential voices in pop music today. On March 25, the singer and songwriter released her debut studio album, HER, which includes the hit single “Fancy.” The record company boss who discovered, nurtured, and signed the artist to his label is none other than RCA Records president, Randy Jackson. The legendary producer and songwriter, Jimmy Jam, also made a significant contribution to the project by co-writing three of the album’s 11 tracks. With its combination of vibrant grooves, memorable hooks, and sultry atmospherics, HER blends pop, R&B, and rock elements to create a sound all its own. The album also features appearances from some of music’s biggest names, including the Rolling Stones, Pharrell Williams, and Frank Ocean.
But that’s not all there is to celebrate. H.E.R. is also engaged to be married to her longtime boyfriend, British actor and rapper, Robert Pattinson. The couple first met on the set of the 2012 movie, Cosmopolis, in which Pattinson plays a billionaire. Theirs is an off-screen romance that has been heavily covered by the media since their engagement was announced in January 2016. The hype surrounding their union, however, has not been all good. Aside from the usual speculation about Prince Charming and his quest for the perfect wife, there has been a lot of talk about how H.E.R. and Pattinson’s relationship will affect her career. Some observers have even gone so far as to question the commitment and viability of their union. What is the truth about how H.E.R.’s and Robert Pattinson’s relationship will affect her musical career? Is she just using him for his famous looks and fortune? Or is there more to their bond than meets the eye? We delved into the facts to set the record straight.
Who Is H.E.R.?
H.E.R. (short for “Heidi Elise Rackau”) was born in New York City on March 25, 1995. Her mother, Joy, is a jazz vocalist, and her father, James, is a songwriter and record producer. When she was 15 years old, H.E.R. moved to Los Angeles to become part of the songwriting and production team behind the successful Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez songs. She has since developed an impressive credits list of her own. In addition to co-writing and co-producing several tracks for Bieber and Gomez, H.E.R. has also written and/or produced songs for artists including Charlie Puth, Shawn Mendes, and Ariana Grande, among others.
As a youth, H.E.R. was an avid supporter of the New York Jets and Boston Red Sox. She also has a pet rabbit named Daisy, and loves horror movies and old sitcoms. Most importantly, H.E.R. is a music fan who grew up listening to her father’s jazz and blues records. She has cited the late blues legend, Robert Johnson, as one of her primary influences.
H.E.R.’s musical journey began when she was six years old. She sang alongside her parents and two siblings in what would become her first professional performance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
What Is The Deal With The Rolling Stones?
One of the more interesting aspects of H.E.R.’s musical journey is her relationship with the Rolling Stones. The guitar-playing legends have been frequent guests on her father’s and uncles’ jazz and blues records, and she has cited them as one of her biggest influences. The Stones’ guitarist, Mick Taylor, was also responsible for teaching H.E.R. how to strum guitar. The British rock band’s frontman, Mick Jagger, even made a cameo appearance in the music video for “Fancy.” H.E.R. has said that her “fingerprints” are all over her debut album, and that she has wanted to work with the Stones since she was a little girl.
The Stones have undoubtedly had a big impact on H.E.R.’s music and career. She named her first album after their 1978 classic, Torn and True , and has paid tribute to them on numerous occasions throughout her career. “Fancy” is in fact a cover of “Torn and True,” and H.E.R. has performed the iconic Stones song numerous times live, including at the 2016 Grammy Awards, where she received a standing ovation from the audience.
While the “Torn and True” cover is undoubtedly the biggest hit off of H.E.R.’s debut album, it is not the only collaboration with the Rolling Stones on the record. Another standout track is “Sober,” in which a duet with vocalist Estelle is a loose interpretation of the Stones’ 1970 hit, “Wild Horses.”
H.E.R. & Pattinson’s Relationship
If “Fancy” was the track that made H.E.R. famous, it was her upcoming song, “Gucci,” that made her and Pattinson famous. The song, which will be accompanying the upcoming film, Cats, premiered in early February and was added to the soundtrack shortly after its premiere. In the song, H.E.R. sings about her admiration for the fashion house Gucci. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, H.E.R. explained that she wrote “Gucci” about an encounter that she had while shopping with a friend. While there, they came across the fashion house’s signature yellow bags, and H.E.R. was immediately struck by their beauty.
Pattinson, who plays Feline Meulenbelt in the movie, was also reportedly amazed by the bags’ design and had to have several of them, even if it meant breaking the bank. Naturally, H.E.R. was flattered and decided to pay tribute to the handsome pair with a song. “Gucci” is, as the title suggests, a celebration of their good looks, and the way that they attract the opposite sex. The song also alludes to their famous designer wardrobes and their status as fashion icons. “You know you’re a celebrity when they can outmatch you / And you don’t mind at all,” H.E.R. sings. The singer also said that she hopes to work with Pattinson again, and that their songwriting and production partnership would make a perfect match. The two already have a few projects in the works, including a musical, which they are currently searching for investors to help realize.
The songwriting and production partnership of H.E.R. and Pattinson is, in fact, a natural fit. The two have a lot in common, as they have both been compared to one another numerous times. H.E.R. has said that she wants to make music that “shining stars want to perform,” and that she aspires to be a “great artist and performer, with a flawless complexion and a fantastic figure,” adding that she will “work hard to achieve [these] goals.” Pattinson, for his part, admitted to Entertainment Tonight that he thinks H.E.R. is “very talented,” and that he is “honored” to have been compared to him. The two have collaborated on an impressive amount of material, including “Gucci,” as well as “Beautiful,” the lead single from H.E.R.’s sophomore album, HER2. Aside from being a successful songwriter and producer, Pattinson is also a talented visual artist, and a part of H.E.R.’s art collection can be seen on the singer’s Instagram page.
Is This A Money-Making Scheme?
There is a prevalent rumor that H.E.R. is just using the notoriety that comes with dating a Hollywood superstar to make a quick buck. Many have pointed out that she is a young woman with an impressive music career, and that it is strange that she would choose to focus so much of her time and energy on a relationship at a time when she could be making more money. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, H.E.R. dismissed the idea that she is simply using her celebrity for financial gain, saying that fame and fortune have not changed her core values. She also said that she hopes to make her music “socially relevant,” and that she wants to be known for her “artistry, not [her] looks.”