Afro Filipino American H.E.R. took home two Grammys for Best R&B performance and Best R&B Album Sunday night at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
“I’m speechless right now. I’m holding back tears,” H.E.R. said shortly after going on stage to accept the Best R&B Album Award from BTSand inviting her entire team up with her to share in the moment. “I want to thank first and foremost God, and my parents who are in the building and my wonderful sister. Mom, Dad, this is for all the wonderful sacrifices that you made for me. Thank you for embracing my talents and who I am,” said the 21 year old.
H.E.R. was born Gabriella Wilson and is from Vallejo, CA. SF Gate reports her E.P. I Used to Know Her: The Prelude reached number 1 on the R&B charts and number 20 overall. It was her compilation of her first two EPs that was nominated for Album of the year, one of five nominations she received. The others were Record Of The Year, and Best New Artist.
Prior to the televised ceremony, H.E.R. also received the the Grammy for Best R&B Performance for Best Part featuring Daniel Caesar. H.E.R. was not present for the award as she was preparing for her performance during the televised award show.
She performed Hard Place.
In the category of Best Regional Roots album, musician and composer Kalani Pe‘a took home his second Grammy in the same category. He won for his second album No ‘Ane‘i. According to Big Island Now, last year he won for his album E Walea and became the first Hawaiian artist to win a Grammy since the Best Hawaiian Music Album category was removed in 2011.
Childish Gambino won for Record of the Year for the song This is America. The video of that son was directed by Hiro Murai, a Japanese American.
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