H.E.R’s ‘Fight For You’ took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2021 Oscars last night. The song, which featured in the film Judas and the Black Messiah and was co-written with Tiara Thomas, won over songs from The Trial of the Chicago 7 (‘Hear My Voice’), Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (‘Husavik’), The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se) (‘Io Sì (Seen)’), and One Night in Miami (‘Speak Now’).
“I did not expect to win this award. I am so, so, so grateful, not only to win but to be a part of such an important, important story,” H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, said in her acceptance speech. “Musicians, filmmakers, I believe we have an opportunity and a responsibility, to tell the truth, and to write history the way that it was, and how it connects us to today, and what we see going on in the world today.”
She added, “Knowledge is power, music is power, and as long as I’m standing, I’m always gonna fight for us. I’m always gonna fight for my people and fight for what’s right, and I think that’s what music does, and that’s what storytelling does.” Watch H.E.R.’s full acceptance speech below.
