H.E.R. connects with The Current’s Zeke about her recent collaboration with Fender guitars, her appreciation of Minnesota through ‘Purple Rain,’ and her dreams of one day headlining a stadium tour. Listen to audio of the interview above, and check out a full transcription of the conversation below.

Interview Transcript

Edited for clarity and length.

H.E.R.: Hey Zeke!

ZEKE: Hey, how you doing? You've been on many different stages, won a ton of different awards, performed with numerous people. Where do you want your art to take you next?

Man, you know, there's so many places I want to go. One of the things that has been unexpected that I'm so excited about after this Back Of My Mind tour, this Coldplay tour that I'm on, and I'm doing stadiums, and being in stadiums, it's not an easy thing to achieve. And I hope one day that I get there, and I get to headline my own tour, that's my goal now. This tour is really inspiring me. But of course, other than that, like, getting ready for The Color Purple, a lot more acting. And yeah, just more music. I want to do it all.

Speaking of The Color Purple, if you could have someone play you in a movie, or musical, who would it be?

Oh my gosh, I don't even know. I have no idea, I feel like it's so early to think about that.

It's gonna happen one day!

I know there's some little girl out there who is playing a bunch of instruments and singing, and is going to be killing it too one day. So whoever that is, you know, one day when I'm older, and I've done so many things, then she can play me.

On April 29 you're playing in Minnesota, the home of one of your biggest inspirations, Prince, at The Armory. What does that mean to you?

I'm so excited. I've don't think I've ever done a show in Minneapolis. Yeah, this will be my first time, so I'm excited. I mean, just to feel the energy. Of course, like I'm gonna take all I can get--that spirit, that essence, you know, and try to channel him into my show.

Are you bringing your snake Prince Roger Nelson with you?

No, I will not be doing that. That would have been cool. But no.

Are you going to try to make your way out to Paisley Park to see all of where he recorded and stuff like that?

Oh, yeah, I got to. I got to, that's so necessary for me when I get there. I'm excited.

And there's all sorts of different murals. There's First Avenue here where Purple Rain was filmed. You watched it all the time, didn't you?

Yeah!

What's your favorite scene from that movie?

Oh my gosh, honestly, one of my favorite scenes is when he performs "Beautiful Ones". And he's like, on the floor and going crazy. Like, I just love that performance so much. And when he's laying across the piano, like, I love that song. And I love how dramatic that performance was.

Yeah, I mean, it's incredible as Prince. Which guitar means the most to you? The one that you connect with the most that you have.

The guitar lately has just been the

instrument I think I can sing with the most. It's like a secondary voice to me. But the the guitar that I created with Fender, you know, I was the first black woman to do a collaboration with Fender and have my own guitar. Such a big deal to me, ever since I was a kid going into Guitar Center, like picking out guitars with my dad and now to be able to have my own and for people to go in the store and say I want to H.E.R. guitar like, that, honestly, is so special to me. I went to a music store one time and they were like, "People ask for your guitar all the time." And I hear you know, girls saying, "Oh, well, I want to play guitar like H.E.R., I want to the H.E.R. guitar." And I think that's always the goal is to just inspire and it's so surreal. But of course, it's like chrome and an iridescent and it looks really cool on stage. So I'm really proud of my guitar.

You've been in the music industry since you were 14 years old. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self something, what would it be?

Man, I think really just trust your gut. And remain open and remain a student but always trust your gut because I realize sometimes it's not necessarily about the right answer or the right decision. Sometimes it's about what feels right. I always say passion over perfection, but I think I really have learned the meaning of that now. Yeah, so I think I would definitely say like, really trust your gut.

Well, everyone should trust their gut and go out and see you when you're here April 29 at The Armory. I'm excited to see you. Thank you for your time. You've been an inspiration for many people. And I appreciate what you're doing.

Thank you so much, I appreciate it. I can't wait, I will see you at the show.

External Links

H.E.R. - official site

Credits

Host - Zeke
Guest - H.E.R.
Producers - Derrick Stevens, Jesse Wiza