"First For You" — the powerful single from "Judas and the Black Messiah" — won the 2021 Academy Award for best original song. The award was given to singer-songwriters H.E.R and Thomas and producer Emile II, who all accepted the honor on stage.
"I did not expect to win this award. I am so, so, so, so grateful," H.E.R. said during the acceptance speech. "Not only to win but to be a part of such an important story, so thank you so much. Thank you to the Academy — I've always wanted to say that."
The artist added of the film's message: "I believe we have an opportunity and a responsibility, to me, 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. Knowledge is power, music is power, and as long as I'm standing, I'm always going to fight for us. I'm always going to fight for my people and fight for what's right. And I think that's what music does, that's what storytelling does. Thank you."
