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
Last Time
Keri Hilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like to thank Mr. Bryan Michael Cox, for helping me illustrate my feelings.
It's just gettin' to hot baby, it' gettin' to hot.
This is the last time, the last chapter now
I mean for real, this has gotta be the last time
It's gon' be the best though, I promise
Just one last time
She gon' kill us
These hotel rooms
Is looking to familiar
Your love is so, so serious
Girl you keep me comin' back that is
I be with her thinkin' of you
I be with you thinkin' of her
My boo
She just don't deserve this
Ain't nobody perfect
But I just can't take no more
Cause
I'm livin' two different lives
One girl in the day
You in the night
And even though this ain't right
I just can't get enough
Of the way you put it down
You really got me trippin'
Hold up baby girl
Don't talk just listen
[Chorus]
Let's just make love
Girl for the last time
Yep I said the last time
Girl this is the last time
I'm all caught up and it's time
To put it down
You really got me trippin'
Hold up baby girl just listen
This is the last time
See the problem is
I'm too deep involved
To be playin' with yo emotions
You really got me open, ooh
I gotta figure it out
Can't let no pussy come before my baby
Not my baby no
Cause she's the only one to ease my mind
But girl you just so fine, ooh
Give it to me one last time
Baby let your hair down
Take it to the bed now
Spread them lovely legs now
One last round
I'm livin' two different lives
One girl in the day
You in the night
And even though this ain't right
I just can't get enough
Of the way you put it down
You really got me trippin'
Hold up baby girl
Don't talk just listen
[Chorus]
Let me see you take off ya clothes
For the last time
Let's keep this thang on the low
For the last time
Tell me how you wanna get it (get it)
I know ya favorite is the kitchen (kitchen)
From the way I used to kiss it (wooh)
Girl I know you're gonna miss it
But there's only one condition
Baby please don't fuss
Don't be trippin', keep it pimpin'
Baby girl let's just make love
I'm livin' two different lives
I'm livin' two different lives
One girl in the day
You in the night
And even though this ain't right
I just can't get enough
Of the way you put it down
You really got me trippin'
Hold up baby girl
Don't talk just listen
Let's just make love
[Chorus]
I'm livin' two different lives
One girl in the day
You in the night
And even though this ain't right
I just can't get enough
Of the way you put it down
You got me trippin'
Hold up baby girl
Don't talk just listen
Let's just make love
[Chorus]
In "Last Time," Keri Hilson talks about being in a dilemma of having two different people in her life, and she can't let one know about the other. On the one hand, she's in a committed relationship, and on the other hand, she's having an affair or fling with someone else. She mentions that this is the last time she will do this and that this is the last chapter, but she can't help but crave one more night with the person she's cheating with. She mentions that if her significant other finds out, they will kill her and the person she's with. In the first verse, Keri talks about how the hotel rooms they spend their time together are becoming too familiar, and even though she is with her boo, she thinks of the person she's cheating with, and when she is with that person, she thinks of her boo.
The chorus talks about the last time they will make love, and Keri mentions that she is caught up in the moment and that the person she's with has her trippin'. She wants them to focus on making love, and she asks them to take their clothes off one last time, keep it on the low, and do it their way. In the second verse, Keri says that she is too deep involved with the person she's been cheating with and can't be playing with her emotions, but the other person has her open. She talks about her baby, and he or she is the only one that can ease her mind. But she can't possibly resist the person she's cheating with and is so fine, and they end up making love one last time.
Overall, "Last Time" talks about the struggle of having two people in one's life and cheating on one's significant other. Keri expresses that this is the last time and the last chapter, and she can't do this anymore. Although the song's subject matter is about cheating, Keri does not glorify it or make it seem acceptable, but rather she emphasizes that nobody is perfect and that one can make mistakes but must own up to them and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Songbook baby,
The artist would like to extend her thanks to Mr. Bryan Michael Cox for his contribution in helping her express her emotions through this song.
It's just gettin' to hot baby, it' gettin' to hot.
The situation is getting out of control and it is getting too risky to continue.
This is the last time, the last chapter now
The artist is declaring that this will be the final occurrence, the final episode of what has been happening.
I mean for real, this has gotta be the last time
The artist is emphasizing that this is not a drill or a joke, the last time has to be the last one, for real.
It's gon' be the best though, I promise
Despite the fact that this is the last time, the artist is asserting that it will be the best effort put forth.
Just one last time
The artist is making it clear that this will be the final instance, never again will it happen.
Cause if she catch me witchu
The artist is afraid that if her partner finds out about this, the consequences could be dire.
She gon' kill us
The artist believes that her partner might harm both her and her lover if she finds out about their rendezvous.
These hotel rooms
The artist is implying that she and her lover have been meeting in secret locations, most likely hotels.
Is looking to familiar
The artist is suggesting that the frequency of their meetings is leading to a sense of disorientation and repetition.
Your love is so, so serious
The artist is acknowledging the depth of her lover's love for her.
Girl you keep me comin' back that is
The artist is acknowledging that despite the risks and consequences, she keeps coming back to her lover.
I be with her thinkin' of you
The artist is revealing that she cheats on her partner even when she's with her partner, thinking of her lover.
I be with you thinkin' of her
The artist reveals that even though she's with her lover, she still thinks about her partner.
My boo
The artist is addressing her lover affectionately by calling him/her her boo.
She just don't deserve this
The artist is acknowledging that her partner does not deserve to be cheated on.
Ain't nobody perfect
The artist is acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and nobody is perfect.
But I just can't take no more
The artist is asserting that she cannot continue with the situation anymore.
I'm livin' two different lives
The artist reveals that she is leading two different lifestyles, one with her partner and one with her lover.
One girl in the day
The artist is with her partner during the day.
You in the night
The artist is with her lover at night.
And even though this ain't right
The artist acknowledges that cheating is not right.
I just can't get enough
Despite knowing that cheating is not right, the artist cannot resist the temptation of her lover.
Of the way you put it down
The artist is acknowledging the sexual prowess of her lover.
You really got me trippin'
The artist is admitting that her lover has her head over heels in love with him/her, thus making her blinded by their love.
Hold up baby girl
The artist is pausing to communicate a message to her lover.
Don't talk just listen
The artist requests that her lover should listen before responding to what she has to say.
Let's just make love
The artist is suggesting that they should have sex with no strings attached for the last time.
Yep I said the last time
The artist repeats that it is the last time they will have sex.
Girl this is the last time
The artist reiterates that this is the last time they will engage in a sexual relationship.
I'm all caught up and it's time
The artist is all mixed up and the situation has escalated to a point where something has to be done.
To put it down
The artist is determined to end the situation and make a decision.
See the problem is
The artist acknowledges that there is a problem.
I'm too deep involved
The artist has gone too far and it has become difficult for her to turn back.
To be playin' with yo emotions
The artist is admitting to playing with her lover's emotions.
You really got me open, ooh
The artist reveals that her lover has a hold over her, that she is under their spell and can't resist them.
I gotta figure it out
The artist needs to work through her confusion to make things right.
Can't let no pussy come before my baby
The artist knows that she has to put her relationship with her partner first above anything else.
Not my baby no
The artist emphasizes that her partner is not just a lover, but also someone who is very important to her.
Cause she's the only one to ease my mind
The artist identifies that her partner is the only one who gives her peace of mind.
But girl you just so fine, ooh
The artist admits that her lover is attractive and sexy.
Give it to me one last time
The artist is asking her lover for one last sexual encounter before they part ways.
Baby let your hair down
The artist's lover is called to relax and enjoy the moment with her.
Take it to the bed now
The artist invites her lover to get intimate with her in bed one last time.
Spread them lovely legs now
The artist encourages her lover to open her legs and get ready for the act.
One last round
The artist suggests that they have sex one last time before they part ways.
Let me see you take off ya clothes
The artist is asking her lover to undress in front of her.
Let's keep this thang on the low
The artist begs her lover to keep the situation strictly confidential so that nobody finds out about their encounter.
Tell me how you wanna get it (get it)
The artist requests her lover to let her know how they want to proceed with the sexual act.
I know ya favorite is the kitchen (kitchen)
The artist knows that her lover prefers to have sex in the kitchen.
From the way I used to kiss it (wooh)
The artist indicates that she knows how to pleasure her lover and knows what they like.
Girl I know you're gonna miss it
The artist predicts that her lover will miss their intimate moments together.
But there's only one condition
The artist has a condition before they engage in sex.
Baby please don't fuss
The artist asks her lover not to argue or make trouble.
Don't be trippin', keep it pimpin'
The artist asks her lover to remain calm and composed.
Baby girl let's just make love
The artist suggests that they have sex one last time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM STARK, JORDAN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J. Maxwell
I feel like Keri definitely stood out for most of us in 09-11 musically because her lyrics were the truth and spoke to women/men on a REAL level.
Simply put: Bey made us feel empowered (I Am…Sasha Fierce), Ciara had us dancing in our feelings (Fantasy Ride), Rihanna had us feeling like Rockstars (Rated R), but Keri’s music did all of this while maintaining a distinct sound that was just fresh (In A Perfect World…)
Particularly on In A Perfect World…, Timbaland & Danja’s beats with her pen game was unmatched. Most called the album a new era classic. Now with No Boys Allowed she wrote a lot less and took a chance on different producers/writers, losing that Keri Hilson sound but maintaining a solid place because she had some Stargate-produced tracks, Ne-yo-penned tracks, Ester Dean-penned tracks, J. Cole, Ross, Nelly, CB & Kanye features. Definitely a label-made situation and she probably didn’t have much control over it, just like the whole “beef” situation.
Take the fuckery that was that leaked remix, combine it with Stan culture dominated by narrow minded fans (Beehive) attacking you on blogs and twitter for YEARS, throw a tad bit of mismanagement of sonic/visual direction (No Boys Allowed), don’t forget that she WAS actually blackballed, and when it all culminated in her destroyed mental health we lost Keri Hilson as a musical act.
She’s been open and honest about the entire situation for the last few years, and people still chose to bash her because its “fun” or “she’s grown and could’ve made a different choice” or whatever other BS justification they provide for tearing this woman down while advocating for the protection of other black women.
I love and listen to all these women, and hope we get some new music from Keri soon. You can support them all people, just saying 🧡
Jotjotzzz
Keri Hilson was SO DIFFERENT from Beyoncé or Ciara. They can all exist and be successful. So sad that they got pitted against each other. The music industry sucks!!
Tee Hee
Rihanna knew how to keep away from that drama and I'm glad she did
DNicole
They all their own vibe/style
Taj Simms
@Tee Hee jay-z did a good job marketing her as someone completely didn’t than beyonce
C
It’s so sad that the industry makes it seem like female artist can’t all coexist. When there are so many male artist working together, etc.
J, Almos
well, beyoncé work is different from most majority of everyone too.
crystalsolis
You can’t deny that she co-wrote some of the best R&B and pop songs of the 2000s that are still bops to this day. And she’s a phenomenal singer, who made so much of the songs she was featured on.
Ciara Content
good for Keri, but Keri Hilson did not write on Ciara's Like A Boy at all
NICE ASF
@Ciara Content did anybody say that
HeidiDiaaz 2
What songs did she write?