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
Mic check
Keri Hilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let you talk and even though u over react
I try to listen didn't give u any feedback
Everytime I tell what I need
You don't care how much I bleed
Am I commin' through check 1,2 1,2
Down to the wire u over lookin' the red lights
And every little issue is amplified
Can't cry my tears over u 1,2 1,2
Pre-Chorus:
Had to turn it up a notch (One notch hate to fuss)
Better listen up (Better listen up)
Cause it's over I had enough, tired of keepin it down
Not goin' bottle it up, u bout' to hear me out
Chorus:
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Can u hear me now?)
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Bet u hear me now)
Verse2:
U kill me out 'fore I started I'm not goin run it back
U told me how to give u static and I mean that
I mapped it out I gave u clues, now I'm blowing a fuse
Am I gettin' through check 1,2 1,2
Sike read my facial expression see how I'm pulling back
U said I'm trippin bet u'd like me to believe that
But I'm standing my ground,
Yep stubborn and I'm proud
Am I gettin' through check 1,2 1,2
Pre-Chorus:
Had to turn it up a notch (One notch hate to fuss)
Better listen up (Better listen up)
Cause it's over I had enough, tired of keepin it down
Not goin' bottle it up, u bout' to hear me out
Chorus:
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Can u hear me now?)
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Bet u hear me now)
Verse3: (Akon)
U said I switched it, not stickin' to the game plan
Now u talkin' down on me like I'm rain man
Feel like actin' a fool, I'm trynna keep it cool
What u s'pect me to do?
Check 1,2 1,2
I let ur speakers bump, turn up the volume
I hear u loud and clear, baby girl it's all u
So if you wanna leave, baby there's the door
I ain't goin' hold yo hand if u really wanna go
Imma need that whip, kick rocks take the bus
Better hurry up, better hurry up
So i u need ya space baby that's what's up
Imma need my place baby get ur stuff.
Chorus:
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Can u hear me now?)
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Bet u hear me now)
The lyrics of "Mic Check" by Keri Hilson Feat. Akon suggest an argument between two people in a relationship. The singer has been listening to their partner's grievances, but they haven't been heard in the same way. They feel unheard and unappreciated. The lines "Every time I tell what I need, You don't care how much I bleed" demonstrate that the singer's partner isn't empathetic to their feelings. The singer has reached the limit of their patience and is preparing to leave the relationship.
The chorus "Mic check come on, mic check 1,2 come on, It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out" indicates that the singer is tired of arguing and is ready to leave. "Bouncing" suggests that they are leaving for good. The use of the term "mic check" in both the title and the chorus alludes to checking the microphone before singing or speaking. Here it means checking if the partner is listening and if there can be a resolution before the relationship ends.
The verses and the rap section by Akon all suggest that the singer's partner is not willing to listen to them and belittles their needs. The singers are no longer willing to tolerate it and have decided to leave. The song addresses the feeling of not being heard in a relationship despite trying to get your voice out there. It encourages people to speak out instead of bottling up their emotions and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I let you talk and even though u over react
Despite your overreactions, I have been letting you speak.
I try to listen didn't give u any feedback
I have been trying to actively listen to you without offering any response.
Everytime I tell what I need
Whenever I express what I require or want,
You don't care how much I bleed
you never seem to care or understand how much it affects me.
Am I commin' through check 1,2 1,2
Do you hear me and understand where I'm coming from? Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2.
Down to the wire u over lookin' the red lights
You are ignoring warning signs and putting things off until the last minute.
And every little issue is amplified
Every minor problem is escalating and becoming bigger than it should be.
(Sorry didn't catch it)
I did not understand what you said or what you meant by that.
Can't cry my tears over u 1,2 1,2
My tears won't be shed over you anymore. Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2.
Had to turn it up a notch (One notch hate to fuss)
I had to raise my energy level, but I really hate to argue.
Better listen up (Better listen up)
Pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Cause it's over I had enough, tired of keepin it down
I'm done with holding back and keeping quiet about my feelings.
Not goin' bottle it up, u bout' to hear me out
I'm going to express my emotions and you're going to listen to me.
Mic Check come on, mic check 1,2 come on
I'm about to speak and I need you to hear me. Mic check 1, 2, come on.
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Can u hear me now?)
This is the end for us, and I'm leaving. Can you hear me now?
It's the final round, I'm bout to bounce, baby I'm out (Bet u hear me now)
I'm leaving for good, and I'm pretty sure you hear me now.
U kill me out 'fore I started I'm not goin run it back
You've defeated me before I even tried. I won't redo it.
U told me how to give u static and I mean that
You've taught me how to argue with you in a confrontational manner, and I'm using it.
I mapped it out I gave u clues, now I'm blowing a fuse
I've given you hints and signals, but now I've lost my patience.
Am I gettin' through check 1,2 1,2
Are you finally comprehending what I'm saying? Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2.
Sike read my facial expression see how I'm pulling back
Actually, I'm withholding my emotions and you can see it on my face.
U said I'm trippin bet u'd like me to believe that
You claim that I'm overreacting and you want me to think that way.
But I'm standing my ground, yep stubborn and I'm proud
I'm sticking to my position, and I'm proud of my stubbornness.
U said I switched it, not stickin' to the game plan
You accused me of deviating from the plan or agreement we had.
Now u talkin' down on me like I'm rain man
You're talking down to me and treating me like I have a mental disability.
Feel like actin' a fool, I'm trynna keep it cool
I want to lose my temper and be foolish, but I'm trying to remain calm.
What u s'pect me to do?
What do you anticipate me doing in this situation?
I let ur speakers bump, turn up the volume
I allowed you to have your voice heard, and now it's time for me to speak up.
I hear u loud and clear, baby girl it's all u
I've listened to your words, and now it's your turn to listen to me.
So if you wanna leave, baby there's the door
If leaving is what you want, then there's the exit.
I ain't goin' hold yo hand if u really wanna go
I won't try to stop you if you genuinely want to leave.
Imma need that whip, kick rocks take the bus
I'll need the car, so you'll have to leave and find your own transportation.
Better hurry up, better hurry up
You need to leave quickly and not delay.
So if you need ya space baby that's what's up
If you need space, that's alright.
Imma need my place baby get ur stuff.
However, I'll need my own space too, so you'll have to gather your things and go.
Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@manukosmos1163
I let you talk, and even though you overreact,
I try to listen, didn't give you any feedback
Every time I tell you what I need, you don't care how much I bleed
Am I coming through? Check, 1, 2, 1, 2
Down to the wire, you're over looking the red lights,
And every little issue is amplified
I'm feelin' unheard, went back like reverb
Coming from my tears over you, 1, 2, 1, 2
Had to turn it up a notch (one notch), hate to fuss,
Better listen up, better listen up
Cause it's over, I had enough, I'm tired of keeping it down
Not gonna bottle it up, you're 'bout to hear me out
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can you hear me now?
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can't you hear me now?
You cut me off 'fore I started, I'm not gon' run it back,
You told me that I gave you static and I mean that
I mapped it out, I gave you clues, now I'm blowing a fuse,
Am I getting through? Check 1, 2, 1, 2
Sike, read my facial expressions, see how I'm pulling back,
You say I'm tripping, bet you'd like me to believe that
I'm standing my ground,
Yup, stubborn and I'm proud
Am I gettin through? Check 1, 2, 1, 2
Had to turn it up a notch (one notch), hate to fuss
Better listen up, better listen up
See it's over, I've had enough, I'm tired of keeping it down,
Not gonna bottle it up, you're 'bout to hear me out
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can you hear me now?
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can't you hear me now?
[Akon:]
You said I switched it up, not sticking to the game plan,
Now you're talking down on me like I'm Rainman
Feel like acting a fool, I'm tryna keep it cool,
Whatchu expect me to do? Check 1, 2, 1, 2
I let your speakers bump, turn up the volume,
I heard you loud and clear, baby girl it's all you
So if you wanna leave, baby there's the door,
I ain't gonna hold you here if you really wanna go
I'ma need that whip, kick rocks, take the bus,
Better hurry up, better hurry up
If you need your space, baby that's what's up,
I'ma need my place, baby get your stuff
[x2]
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can you hear me now?
Mic check c'mon, mic check 1, 2, c'mon
It's the final round, I'm 'bout to bounce,
Baby I'm out, can't you hear me now?
@MsGoldenTouch
if she released this sing it would blow up the charts this is a crazy song.
@climhazzardbeats
Timbo/ Keri unreleased music are hidden gems and LOVE coming back to them, could've made a whole album out of them.
@WILFREDTSIKAH
How did we get from this to trap ?
@mwivwasinkala5515
The adlibs from 2:04 were so good .
How this song was never released is a mystery. It was such a hit . Good music is timeless.
@tarfap.kpamber9732
I think it was a leaked track.
@Nearon91
Tears just ran down the side of my face. Damn. This song is timeless. Brings back both good and bad memories, but the song itself, more than just good.
@zaccdrake5642
I'm still rocking with this song! 2021 Baby!!!
@chisomclara2241
Same here
@eagleking48
I love Keri Hilson's voice. And Timbo's beats. And Akon's voice. Perfect compatibility. Both of 'em.
@professahbruno1578
and her tone has remained quite timeless over the years we in 2022!