The Artist in Profile: Keri Hilson

This is a Listen In feature.

Keri Hilson is up-and-coming and slated to be the next R&B it girl. Don't know who she is? You may have heard Hilson's voice on Timbaland's "The Way I Are" and seen her featured as Usher's flame in his "Love in This Club" video. You also have probably heard her recent single, "Energy;" was recently in high rotation on practically every top 40 radio station.

The Atlanta native began writing music as a pre-teen and has become one of today's most sought after song writers, credited for penning lyrics for Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, The Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and many more.

A chance meeting in the halls of the recording studio seemed to be Hilson's big break:

While on her journey to making a name for herself as one of the strongest songwriters out there, Keri eventually ran into producer Polow da Don working in recording studios all over their hometown Atlanta. One afternoon, he asked her the pivotal question—"'What producer do you think would get you where you want to be as an artist? Who would musically inspire you the most?' I said, 'Timbaland- hands down!'" Little did she know, Polow had already been talking to the Virginia Beach producer about her potential. Polow called her one morning with the news that Tim wanted to meet her. Keri was elated. "I wasn't freaking out," she recalls of that morning, "I was prepared. While I had taken all this time to hone my craft as a songwriter, I always believed that I would eventually get to be an artist. Everything I experienced, everything I felt growing up, all the work…I was just like, 'Ok. Wow. This must be it. It must be happening.'"[source]

Hilson's debut album, In a Perfect World, is scheduled for release on October 14. For now, there is "Energy", A twinkling, dramatic and sultry ballad about a draining love affair on its final leg; a steamy summer hit. Keep an eye out for Hilson, she's definitely breaking out.

Read more music, news, reviews, artist profiles and editorials by Kymlee.
Cross-posted from ShePlayMusic.com.

© 2008 Kimberlee Morrison. Some rights reserved.

Back To Top