Focus (H.E.R. song)

"Focus" is a song by American singer H.E.R. released on September 8, 2016. It was included on her self-titled album released in 2017. A remix with Chris Brown, hosted by DJ Envy, was released on May 1, 2018, with Brown and H.E.R. exchanging verses.^[1]

"Focus"
Single by H.E.R.
from the album H.E.R.
Released	September 8, 2016
Genre	R&B
Length	3:20
Songwriter(s)	Gabriella Wilson Darhyl Camper Jr. Justin Love. Andre Sims
Producer(s)	H.E.R. Darhyl Camper Jr. Andre Sims
H.E.R. singles chronology
"Something to Prove" (2014) "Focus" (2016) "Best Part" (2017)

Background

Justin Love, an artist from New Jersey who co-wrote the song, revealed that "Focus" is about his mother.^[2]

Pianist/Composer Andre Sims created composition Endless Minds in 2004, which the hit song Focus, performed by H.E.R, is derived from.

Commercial performance

"Focus" topped the Adult R&B Songs airplay chart in October 2018, becoming H.E.R.'s first number one a Billboard songs chart.^[3]

Accolades

"Focus" was nominated for the Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award at the 2018 Soul Train Music Awards and for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards but lost both to "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai.^[4][5]

Charts

Chart (2017)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	100
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[7]	45
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)^[8]	7
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)^[9]	15
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)^[10]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[11]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Chris Brown Joins H.E.R. For DJ Envy-Hosted "Focus (Remix)"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
2. "Grammy Nominated Justin Love Reveals That Hit Song 'Focus' Sung by H.E.R. Was Written About His Mom". The Source. June 10, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
3. Anderson, Trevor. "H.E.R.'s 'Focus' Hits No. 1 on Adult R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
4. Bennett, Jessica. "Soul Train Awards 2018: The Complete Winners List". Ebony. November 26, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
5. "Winners & Nominees - 61st Annual Grammy Awards". Retrieved September 9, 2019.
6. "H.E.R. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
7. "H.E.R. Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
8. "H.E.R. Chart History (Hot R&B)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
9. "H.E.R. Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
10. "H.E.R. Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
11. "American single certifications – H.E.R. – Focus". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 8, 2022.