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American Idol’s David Hernandez is releasing a re-imagined version of the title track from his first EP, I Am Who I Am. The new version has been shortened to “I AM,” but still tells the story of David’s earlier years, growing up in a broken home among family members struggling with substance abuse, all while being bullied in school for his differences. “I was listening to that old record, going down the memory lane of my life and career, remembering that young kid who was scared yet somehow had the audacity to chase his dream on national TV,” David Hernandez reflects today. “It occurred to me how much I still relate to him.” It got David to thinking: what if he re-recorded the track and revamped it for the modern era, as a nod to all that he has been through since? He reached out to the producer of that first EP, Alex Teamer, and within a few days, they had a new version of the song.
“So much of what I sang about in my first album still rings true today,” David Hernandez continues from his Los Angeles home. “I’ve worked so hard to overcome the traumas of my childhood, and by the grace of God, I have managed to heal so much of my past pain, but I would be lying if I said that some days weren’t still a struggle. I think I will always be discovering who I am until my dying day. There’s a beauty in that.”
The new version of “I AM” is an anthemic pop song, with David’s powerful vocals amplified by the addition of orchestral strings, piano, and drums. Like the original, it delivers hints of soul and R&B but the new version adds major and minor chords throughout that produce a sense of push and pull, reminiscent of the emotional tugs many people battle on their journey to self-discovery. There is also a huge climatic chorus and an ending choir that takes listeners to church with a spiritual experience meant to drive home the feelings of hope and redemption.
David Hernandez gained national attention as a Top 12 finalist on American Idol. Since then, his talents have been showcased on notable platforms like The Ellen Show, The Today Show, MTV's TRL, and TV Guides' Sexiest Stars. He even performed at the Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration ball for Barack Obama alongside renowned artists John Legend and Maroon 5.
In his music, David draws inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Whitney Houston, Donnie Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, and Michael Jackson. He writes and produces his own original music. One of David's notable hits, "Beautiful," made its way to the Top 100 of the Billboard Dance charts, with its music video becoming a viral sensation. In the past year, he has released several self-produced songs and music videos including "Sorry," "Kingdom," and the infectious summer anthem "Boomerang."
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