As well as making extraordinary music, H.E.R. wants to be an active resident who enables youngsters with data.
The Grammy and Oscar-winning recording artist will do both in the new animated Netflix series, “We the People.”
Made by Chris Nee and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, the 10-part series gives a range of civics exercises through three-minute music videos on themes that incorporate the Bill of Rights, immigration, and the courts. It highlights Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brandi Carlisle, Janelle Monáe, Adam Lambert, Bebe Rexha, and others.
H.E.R. took on the “Active Citizenship” episode, composing and playing out the song “Change.” It manages teaching youngsters to engage with issues locally by volunteering, writing letters to elected officials, and peaceful protest.
The animated segment was coordinated by Oscar-champ Peter Ramsey, known for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
H.E.R. admits the idea to make music and educate seemed daunting at first.
“I was like thinking about all these topics and how can I make this, like, cool? And, you know, it just started off with just saying exactly what it is: ‘Wrote a letter to the mayor, can you hear me out.’ Like how would we really have a conversation about this with somebody who doesn’t necessarily understand,” she said.
The 23-year-old accepts the significance of the topic lies in the absence of understanding numerous residents have with regards to the rights and duties of citizenship.
“I feel like sometimes things aren’t taught on purpose,” she said.
H.E.R. refered to the power of artists like Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye with regards to composing music about social justice.
“[They] are saying things so simply. But we digested them, and we really thought about the way that we live our lives based on this music,” she said.
Furthermore, this is on the grounds that music is a language that everybody gets it.
“It’s something that makes us feel good, makes us want to fall in love and makes us sad or makes us learn. And so, what better way to teach, especially people at a young age or of all ages?”
She trusts the collection of music videos in “We the People” will “share the knowledge, that hasn’t always been shared” with regards to rights, advantages, and responsibilities.
“It’s up to us to make these changes and to empower the youth. So, as we grow, as we learn, we teach. And in that, I think will make a huge difference,” she said.
