Hilson has been writing music for other artists since 2001, including Britney Spears, Ciara, Usher, and Ludacris. Despite having made a name for herself as an arranger and background vocalist, lending her vocal talents to many of the songs she wrote on, Hilson remained behind the scenes for the most part until 2004, when she was featured on Xzibit's single, "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)" and made her performing debut singing the track live at the 2004 MTV Europe Awards.
In 2006, Hilson reappeared on the music scene in the video for Nelly Furtado's single "Promiscuous". Meanwhile, she signed as an artist with Timbaland's newly formed Interscope associated label Mosley Music Group and the pair started work on her debut album '"In A Perfect World...". The same year, she was featured on "After Love" from Diddy's album Press Play which was originally written for Danity Kane. She also wrote "Right Now" for Danity Kane as well as "Help", the second single from Lloyd Banks' Rotten Apple.
In 2007, Hilson made several appearances on Timbaland's solo effort, Shock Value where she featured heavily on the singles "The Way I Are" and "Scream" and the tracks "Miscommunication" and "Hello". Furthermore, she was featured on the track "Lost Girls" on Rich Boy's debut album and its second single "Good Things" and was credited as a writer and backing vocalist on Britney Spears' album Blackout. She also worked on Spears' follow-up "Circus", but the tracks didn't appear on the album.
A promotional video for her song "Where Did He Go" was released in 2008 and she went on to further promote herself as a solo artist on "Get It Girl", a track produced by Timbaland & Danja and recorded for a Verizon ringtone promotion and available also through iTunes.
She 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" and appeared briefly on Nelly's "Party People" music video wearing a T-Shirt with the slogan 'Hip Hop aint dead'. She soon after featured on Nas' debut single from his controversial album Untitled, "Hero".
After many pushbacks, Hilson's debut solo album In a Perfect World... has now been set for an early 2009 release. The album's first single was "Energy" and its music video was released July 14, 2008. "Energy" has peaked at a low #78 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A second single "Return The Favor" features Timbaland was released officially as a digital download on October 7, 2008 and the video, directed by Melina, premiered on October 23, 2008. In the meantime, she also featured on Chris Brown's single "Superhuman" and Kardinal Offishall's 2008 single "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)", which was originally featured Rihanna. This single failed to chart on the Hot 100.
The track "Turnin Me On" features rapper Lil' Wayne and was released as the third official single as a digital download on November 25. The video, which was directed by Erik White after he and Hilson met on the set of the "Superhuman" video, premiered on November 20, 2008. "Turnin Me On" has so far peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and recently hit #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Hilson's most successful single as well as her first Top 50 single in the U.S.. It also peaked as the #1 Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop track. "Turnin Me On" also stood as the #1 video on BET's 106 & Park for about a week and currently is the #5 video request on that show, flucuating between the Top 5.
Recently, Keri Hilson's track "Alienated" was played exclusively on UK radio station Kiss 100 after winning the Fresh 40 mixtape deck battle with 51% against Maino's "All The Above".
It was announced on March 10th that the video for "Knock You Down"(featuring Ne-Yo & Kayne West) was in production and would be released as the fourth single.
Hilson's music has been favorably received, appearing on list of "Top Year Singles" with the songs, "Energy" and "Turnin Me On". The first was on Blender magazine list of the "The Top 144 Songs of 2008", at #61, and the latter was on Vibe magazine's "The 80 Best Songs of '08" at #67. Vibe also praised her voice and called her "ridiculously hot".
In 2010 saw the birth of No Boys Allowed and comes out on the 21st of December 2010. The First Single was Breaking Points and received positive and negative reviews, however failed to chart well. The second single Pretty Girl Rock saw more success and went on to chart respectably well. The song got that much attention that a official remix was made featuring Kanye West, which made the album too. The Suspected third Single is The Way You Love Me and a full length video (short film) appeared on Vevo. The video got mixed reviews, one side saying the video was a side to Keri that had never saw before (a more seductive side). However, some said that this side was too out there and was a bit too much.
DISCOGRAPHY:
ALBUMS:
2009: In A Perfect World...
2010:No Boys Allowed
SINGLES:
2004: Hey Now (Mean Muggin) [Xzibit feat. Keri]
2006: Help [Lloyd Banks feat. Keri]
2007: The Way I Are [Timbaland feat. Keri & D.O.E.]
2007: Good Things [Rich Boy feat. Polow Da on & Keri]
2008: Scream [Timbaland feat. Keri & Nicole Scherzinger]
2008: Hero [Nas feat. Keri]
2008: Energy
2008: Superhuman [Chris Brown feat. Keri]
2008: Return The Favor [feat. Timbaland]
2008: Numba 1 (Tide Is High) [Kardinal Offishall feat. Keri]
2008: Turnin Me On [feat. Lil Wayne]
2009: Knock You Down [feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo]
2009: Slow Dance
2010: I Like
2010:Got Your Back [T.I feat. Keri]
2010:Breaking Point
2010:Pretty Girl Rock
2010:The Way You Love Me
Intro
Keri Hilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
Now take it to the floor
The DJ keep it rockin' like
Oooo Oooo
I know you heard of me
Interscope gave me the deal
Soon as they got word of me
Oooo Oooo
Baby please understand
Can't have you all up on
Me I roll with some killers man
Oooo Oooo
Polow and Timbaland
I'm in the middle like Mody
They just my homies man
Oooo Oooo
I see her muggin me
She don't want no problems
I got a lil' bit of thug in me
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
Now take it to the floor
I know you like it so tell
The DJ keep it rockin' like
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
Oooo Oooo
Now take it to the floor
Move it don't stop it
Now tell the Dj keep it rockin like
Oooo Oooo
ATL born and raised
Too many claimin the A
Ain't really from the A
Oooo Oooo
Just saying what I feel
Rep where you from not where you live
Baby keep it real
Oooo Oooo
You look like you new to this
Don't even have it 'cause you don't know what to do with this
(You's a rookie)
Oooo Oooo
Henny And Apple Juice
That's what you give me
If you really tryin to get me loose
Oooo Oooo
Thank you for turnin me on
The lyrics to Keri Hilson's song "Intro" describe the party scene and the singer's background. The line "We 'bout to get it poppin'" sets the tone for the party anthem, inviting listeners to hit the dance floor as the beat drops. She goes on to talk about her rise to fame after being signed by Interscope, as well as the dangerous characters she rolls with. There is an underlying sense of confidence and independence in the lyrics as Keri asserts that she won't let anyone get too close to her, but at the same time acknowledges her appreciation for those who have supported her along the way. As she directs the DJ to "keep it rockin'", the party continues on into the night.
Throughout the song, Keri makes various cultural references that hint at her heritage and background. She proudly proclaims that she is "ATL born and raised", speaking to her roots in Atlanta, Georgia. She also comments on the tendency of people to falsely claim Atlanta as their own, suggesting that they should "Rep where you from not where you live". This theme of authenticity and staying true to oneself is echoed later in the song when Keri encourages listeners to keep it real. Overall, "Intro" is a celebration of music, dancing, and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooo Oooo
(We 'bout to get it poppin')
The excitement level is high and something big is about to happen.
Now take it to the floor
I know you like it so tell
The DJ keep it rockin' like
Encouraging the listeners to keep dancing and requesting the DJ not to let the music stop.
I know you heard of me
Interscope gave me the deal
Soon as they got word of me
The artist is proudly announcing her music label while stating that they were quick to sign her.
Baby please understand
Can't have you all up on
Me I roll with some killers man
She's asking for space and letting them know she has some dangerous people looking out for her.
Polow and Timbaland
I'm in the middle like Mody
They just my homies man
She's mentioning two popular producers and stating that they are her friends.
I see her muggin me
She don't want no problems
I got a lil' bit of thug in me
She's aware someone is upset with her and states that she isn't looking for trouble but won't back down if provoked.
ATL born and raised
Too many claimin the A
Ain't really from the A
She's reminding everyone she's an Atlanta native and calling out those who falsely claim to be from there.
Just saying what I feel
Rep where you from not where you live
Baby keep it real
She encourages authenticity and encourages people to represent where they are from accurately.
You look like you new to this
Don't even have it 'cause you don't know what to do with this
(You's a rookie)
She's taunting someone who looks like they are new and seem clueless about it.
Henny And Apple Juice
That's what you give me
If you really tryin to get me loose
She's sharing her preferred beverage, implying that it's the way to get her relaxed and enjoying herself.
Thank you for turnin me on
She thanks the person for getting her hooked or drawn to something, possibly a future relationship.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MARCELLA N ARAICA, FLOYD NATHANIEL HILLS, KERI N HILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind