Keri Hilson

Keri Lynn Hilson (born 1982) is an American recording artist signed to Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. She is part of a collective of writers and producers known as The Clutch. Through the early and late 2000s, Hilson wrote songs for multiple rappers and singers, including Britney Spears and Ludacris. In 2007, she guest performed on Timbaland's hits "The Way I Are" and "Scream" and began a solo singing career. Hilson has made cameos in music videos for Usher, Ne-Yo and Nelly, amongst others. Her debut album, In a Perfect World..., was released in early 2009, spawning singles "Energy", "Return the Favor", " "Turnin' Me On" and "Knock You Down".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 number 77 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[4]

While Hilson was working with Polow da Don in a studio, he asked her "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] In A Perfect World... debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[10]

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 US single on October 7, 2008 and the video, premiered on October 23, 2008 but failed to chart. In the UK, Europe and Australia the single was released from April 10, 2009. "Return the Favour" became a Top 20 hit in the UK, German and Irish Singles chart and a Top 10 hit in the UK R&B Singles Chart.

"Turnin' Me On" (featuring Lil Wayne) was released as the third North American single (second in New Zealand) on November 25, 2008.[11] The single peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 2 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 the 4th US single from the album as confirmed by Hilson on her Official Album Countdown Video-blog.. The video was premiered on March 23, 2009 on Ne-Yo's official YouTube channel. The single has been Hilson's most successful solo offering to date as it reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop 100. On 18th May 2009, "Knock You Down" became Hilson's first number one single in the New Zealand Singles chart as lead vocalist and it is currently holding onto the top spot for the third consecutive week.[12] Elsewhere, "Knock You Down" has charted at number 12 and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Singles Chart respectively based on digital sales alone.