Keri Hilson life and biography

Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. She has written songs for a large number of other artists, including Toni Braxton, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ciara, Avant, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Rowland, Keke Palmer and Omarion. She's also part of a five-person group of writers and producers known as The Clutch.

Keri was born and raised in the Decatur, Georgia area, a few miles outside of Atlanta. She grew up watching TV talent shows like "Star Search" and "Showtime at the Apollo." She's said that by the age of 12 she was already plotting a music career. As a girl she took piano and vocal lessons. In her mid-to-late teens, her career jumped off as a songwriter and background vocalist, working under producer Anthony Dent. After trying and failing with two girl groups, Pretty Toni and D'Sign, she enrolled into Emory University in Atlanta while still pursing a music career.

Hilson made herself a name as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production/songwriting team known as The Clutch. In 2006, she signed a recording contract with Timbaland's label, Mosley Music.

Hilson released her debut studio album, In a Perfect World... in March 2009, which peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200 albums chart and featured the hit singles "Knock You Down" and "Turnin Me On". The album reached number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was eventually certified gold. Hilson earned two Grammy Award nominations for the album including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Knock You Down", which features Kanye West and Ne-Yo. A reissue of the album, included previously unreleased songs such as "I Like". The song became Hilson's first number one hit in Germany and certified platinum there. As a prominent guest vocalist in both the contemporary R&B and hip hop genres, Hilson has been featured on over a dozen singles by other artists, including the number-one hit single "The Way I Are" with Timbaland.

Official video Keri Hilson Feat Timbaland 'The Way I Are' :


Over the next couple years, Hilson's songwriting was practically ubiquitous, responsible for numerous hit singles, including Mary J. Blige's "Take Me as I Am," Omarion's "Ice Box," the Pussycat Dolls' "Wait a Minute," and Britney Spears' "Gimme More." She was also featured prominently on Timbaland Presents Shock Value, including the number three Billboard Hot 100 hit "The Way I Are." With Timbaland and Polow in her corner, Hilson relied on the vast pool of recording artists and producers who needed (and wanted) to return the favor for her Mosley Music/Interscope debut. After a couple pre-release singles and numerous delays, In a Perfect World... was issued in March 2009, shortly after one of its tracks, "Turnin' Me On," had reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100. The album eventually reached gold status, selling over 500,000 copies, and earned Hilson a pair of Grammy nominations. She made another string of guest appearances -- on Nas' "Hero," Trina's "Million Dollar Girl," and T.I.'s "Got Your Back," to name only a few of many -- prior to issuing her second album, No Boys Allowed, before the end of 2010.

"Breaking Point," produced by Timbaland was released as the album's lead single in the United States on September 7, 2010. It reached a peak of number forty-four on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Pretty Girl Rock was released as the second single on October 12, 2010. It has reached a current peak of number ten on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number thirty-one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video for the song has received critical acclaim and praise for its homage to musical icons of the past such as Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, The Andrews Sisters, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson and TLC. Hilson appears as each singer in a well-known scene from the era depicted. As of early 2011 she is preparing for a spring tour and beginning work on a third album.

"One Night Stand " featuring Chris Brown, is the album's third single. In February 2011, Hilson told Rap-Up magazine that she was considering choosing "One Night Stand" as the next single from No Boys Allowed, after an outpouring of fan support. She said, "My fans are really liking "One Night Stand" with Chris Brown ... I have a lot of favorites, but the fans are wanting "One Night Stand." It’s going to be my urban single. Not going to be, but if we go with it, we'll go with that." The song has appeared on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number sixty-eight. It has been announced that "Lose Control" featuring Nelly, will serve as the album's next single.

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