Keri Hilson Birth name Keri Lynn Hilson Born 1982 (age 26–27)
Decatur, Georgia, United States
Genre(s) R&B,
hip hop,
pop Occupation(s)
Singer-songwriter Instrument(s) Vocals Years active 2001–present
Label(s) Zone 4,
Mosley Music,
Interscope Associated acts
The Clutch Website
www.kerihilsonmusic.com Keri Lynn Hilson (born 1982) is an American
R&B singer and
songwriter signed to
Zone 4,
Mosley Music Group and
Interscope Records. She is part of a collective of writers and producers known as
The Clutch. After several years of songwriting, she guest performed on
Timbaland's hit "
The Way I Are" and began a solo singing career. Her debut album,
In a Perfect World..., was released in early 2009.
Contents
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Biography
Early life
Hilson was born Keri Lynn Hilson in 1982 in
Decatur, Georgia.
[1] During her adolescence, Hilson studied piano and singing,
[1] and she joined the girl group D'Signe when she was 14.
[2] She became a songwriter and backing vocalist while in high school, and she attended
Emory University.
[1]
2001–2007: Songwriting and backing vocals
Hilson began songwriting in 2001 and would go on to write tracks for
Britney Spears,
Ciara,
Usher, and
Ludacris.
[2] In 2004, she was featured on
Xzibit's single, "
Hey Now (Mean Muggin)".
[3] In 2006, Hilson signed as an artist with
Timbaland's label,
Mosley Music Group and appeared on a track on
Diddy's
Press Play. Hilson was also featured on "
Help", the second single from
Lloyd Banks'
Rotten Apple; the single peaked at #77 on the
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
[4]
While working with
Polow da Don in a studio, he asked Hilson "What producer do you think could take you where you want to go as an artist?" She replied with
Timbaland, who was in search of a
black female solo
R&B artist. After singing for Timbaland over the phone, they began recording at
The Hit Factory the following weekend.
[5][6] In 2007, Hilson made several appearances on Timbaland's solo effort
Shock Value, including on the singles "
The Way I Are" and "
Scream". "The Way I Are" reached number three on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S.
[7] Furthermore, she was featured on the track "Lost Girls" on Zone 4-labelmate
Rich Boy's debut album and its second single "Good Things" and was credited as a writer and
backing vocalist on
Britney Spears's album
Blackout.
Hilson also played the lead role in
Usher's music video for "
Love in This Club", (as well as co-writing its "Pt. II" remix) appeared as one of the "independent women" in
Ne-Yo's music video for "
Miss Independent".
[8]. Later in the year, Hilson performed on
Nas' debut single "
Hero" from his controversial
untitled album; it reached number 97 on the Hot 100 and number 82 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
2008–present: In a Perfect World...
After many pushbacks, Hilson's debut solo album
In a Perfect World... was released on March 24, 2009.
[9] The midtempo ballad "
Energy" eventually became the first world single and was released as a digital download on May 27, 2008. The video premiered on July 14, 2008. It charted at number 78 on the
Billboard Top 100, number 21 and 72 on
R&B 100 and
Pop 100 respectively. The single performed best in
New Zealand where it charted at number 2 but failed to significantly chart elsewhere. The UK release never materialised. "
Return the Favor" was released officially as the second worldwide single (first UK single) on October 7, 2008 and the video, premiered on October 23, 2008.
"
Turnin' Me On" (featuring
Lil Wayne) was released as the third worldwide single on November 25, 2008.
[10] The single has been Hilson's most successful solo offering to date as it peaked at number 15 on the
Billboard Hot 100, number two and 28 on
R&B 100 and
Pop 100 respectively. It was also the first single to chart in
Canada although it did only reach number 80. "
Knock You Down" (featuring
Kanye West and
Ne-Yo) is scheduled to be the "4th US single" from the album as confirmed by Hilson on her
Official Album Countdown Video-blog.
Discography
Main article:
Keri Hilson discography
Awards
Year Award Result 2007
MTV Video Music Awards: Monster Single of the Year for "
The Way I Are"
[11] Nominated
Teen Choice Awards: Choice Rap Track for "The Way I Are"
[12] Won
