Keri Hilson

Keri Lynn Hilson (born December 5, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter.

Keri Lynn Hilson was born on December 5, 1982, in Decatur, Georgia.

Hilson's mother owned and ran a day care center and her father was a developer who served in the Army.

She was raised in a middle class family and an African-American neighborhood.

Her brother is Kip and her sisters are Kelsee, Kye and Kaycee.

Hilson and her siblings did not attend a school within the neighborhood, stating that "they shipped us off for an hour to get to school every day. It was just that important for us to maintain the life that they had created".

From the age of 12, Hilson wanted to pursue a musical career, after watching television talent shows, Star Search and Showtime at the Apollo.

Her mother then hired a piano teacher to give her piano lessons; however, Hilson wanted to become a singer and therefore "converted those sessions into vocal lessons, accompanying the teacher on piano".

By the age of 14, Hilson had secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, who later disbanded.

Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, she began her musical career as a songwriter and backing vocalist for other artists under the wing of record producer Anthony Dent in 2002.

At the age of 14, Hilson secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, which ultimately disbanded.

Hilson's first official work as a songwriter was "Jump", written for a Japanese R&B singer Michico's debut album I Do (2002).

Hilson spent most of her teenage years working with producer Anthony Dent as a songwriter and background vocalist for the likes of Usher, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Toni Braxton, Ciara and Polow da Don.

After graduating from Tucker High School in the DeKalb County School District, Hilson attended Oxford College of Emory University and Emory University in Atlanta for three years and studied a course in theater.

She continued working as a songwriter and background vocalist during her schooling years.

Hilson eventually stopped working with Dent, and began working more with Polow da Don.

She also became a member of the songwriting and production team, The Clutch.

She attended at Oxford College of Emory University while contributing to material for popular artists, including Britney Spears, Usher, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige; she joined the songwriting-production group, the Clutch in 2004.

Later that same year, she guest performed on the single "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)" by Xzibit, which marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

Two years later, she signed with producers Polow da Don and Timbaland through their respective labels Zone 4 and Mosley Music Group—both imprints of Interscope Records—to further pursue a recording career.

Together, they wrote Mary J. Blige's "Take Me as I Am" (2006), Omarion's "Ice Box" (2006), Ciara's "Like a Boy" (2006), The Pussycat Dolls' "Wait a Minute" (2006) and Britney Spears' "Gimme More" (2007).

In 2006, Polow introduced Hilson to American rapper and producer Timbaland, who then signed her to his record label, Mosley Music Group.

In November 2006, Hilson was featured on American rapper Lloyd Banks' single "Help" for his album Rotten Apple (2006).

She guest appeared on Timbaland's 2007 single, "The Way I Are," which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked atop record charts in eight other countries, becoming her mainstream commercial breakthrough.

The following year, Hilson was featured on three singles; in June, on Timbaland's song "The Way I Are", the second single from his album Shock Value (2007); on Rich Boy's "Good Things" with Polow da Don; and thereafter, in December, on Timbaland's song "Scream" with Nicole Scherzinger, the fifth single from Shock Value.

Out of the three singles, "The Way I Are" achieved the most success, topping nine charts around the world.

Her 2008 debut single, "Energy" and its follow-ups "Return the Favor" (featuring Timbaland) and "Turnin Me On" (featuring Lil Wayne) preceded the release of her debut studio album, In a Perfect World... (2009).

The album was met with positive critical response, reached number four on the US Billboard 200, and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

It also spawned the single "Knock You Down" (featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo), which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and matched "The Way I Are" as her highest-charting song.

In 2008, Hilson appeared in the music videos for Usher's single "Love in This Club" and Ne-Yo's single "Miss Independent".

Her debut studio album, In a Perfect World..., was released on March 24, 2009.

The album contained pop-oriented R&B songs.

It was initially planned to be released the previous year; however, the album was delayed several times because Hilson wanted to make sure it came out to her liking, stating "I'm just a perfectionist. I have had many [release dates], but it's all for a good cause. The label wants to make sure the album has its proper release, and I'm thankful for that. Very grateful, even though fans look at it like it's a bad thing."

In the United States, In a Perfect World... debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart, and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first-week sales of 94,000 copies.

Her second studio album, No Boys Allowed (2010) was met with mixed reviews and a commercial decline from its predecessor, although it spawned the platinum-certified single "Pretty Girl Rock" (remixed featuring Kanye West).

As of 2024, Hilson has not released any music as a lead artist since 2011.

Hilson's musical style is R&B, hip hop, and pop; womanhood, intimacy, romance, and independence is her typical suject matter.

She has pursued a side career in acting, making her film debut in the Tim Story romantic comedy film Think Like a Man.

Prolific in charitable endeavors, she has contributed in the fight against HIV and AIDS, supported various relief efforts for natural disasters, and has been involved with several educational organizations.

Her accolades include two Grammy Award nominations (including Best New Artist), a BET Award, a MOBO Award, a NAACP Image Award, and two Soul Train Music Awards.