Judith Hill

Judith Glory Hill, born on May 6, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, is an American singer-songwriter of Japanese and African-American descent. Her musical journey began early, writing her first song at the age of four. She pursued formal music education, earning a degree in music composition from Biola University, and initially honed her skills as a backing vocalist for a range of established artists. Her early career also saw her performing with French singer Michel Polnareff in 2007, before returning to the United States to establish herself as a singer-songwriter. Hill’s vocal style is characterized by its soulful, earthy quality, allowing her to fluidly navigate genres including R&B, funk, jazz, and gospel. She is fluent in English, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

Hill gained widespread recognition in 2009 when she was selected as Michael Jackson’s duet partner for his planned “This Is It” concerts. Following Jackson’s death, her poignant lead performance of “Heal the World” at his memorial service brought her global attention. Her career trajectory continued to elevate with her inclusion in Morgan Neville’s Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom” (2013), which highlighted the untold stories of backup singers. The film earned her a Grammy Award for Best Music Film. In 2013, she also appeared as a contestant on season four of “The Voice,” where she was a strong contender until her surprising elimination in the Top 8. During this period, she signed a record deal with Sony Music, marking a turning point towards her solo career.

Her debut solo album, “Back in Time,” was released in 2015, notably co-produced by Prince at Paisley Park. The album was initially offered as a free download and generated significant interest. Hill has consistently released new music, including “Golden Child” (2018), “Baby, I’m Hollywood!” (2021), and “Letters from a Black Widow” (2024), continuing to showcase her talents as a songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. Beyond her solo work, she has maintained a diverse portfolio of collaborations, working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Josh Groban, John Legend, Eric Clapton, and Spike Lee. Her compositions have been featured in films and television series, further solidifying her presence in the music and entertainment industry.