Biography
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the strong influences of her family, their faith, and their music. At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Superintendent J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts, executing high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and deep, throaty growls sometimes referred to as "squalls" (the latter is prominently displayed on "Done Did It", a traditional gospel leaning track from her album I Owe You).
Sheard made her stage debut at the age of 10 duetting with her mother on the Twinkie Clark-penned "The Will Of God", the standout closing track from her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed her skills as a performer accompanying her mother on stage. By 2003, EMI Gospel won a bidding war between several record companies to sign Kierra to her first recording contract.
Her debut album I Owe You was released September 7, 2004. The 11-track set included production and songwriting from such notable music luminaries as Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, J Moss, and Tonéx. The album also functioned as the production debut for her brother J Drew.
The following year, EMI commissioned a collection of remixes entitled Just Until... on August 2, 2005. The title of the stopgap release was abbreviated from its working title "Just Until The Next Record".[1] The album had a surprise international hit in The Godson Concept remix of "Let Go". The upbeat gospel single, released only in Japan, raced to the top of mainstream R&B charts and remained there for several weeks.[2]
Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard readied her second album This Is Me. Repeating the same spectacular feat from her first release, this album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Gospel charts when it was released June 27, 2006.[3] A midtempo fan favorite, the Fred Jerkins III-produced "Why Me?" was chosen as the lead single for the album. Sheard's shot her first music videos for two subsequent singles from the album, "Yes" and "This Is Me". This Is Me was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel album in December 2006.[4]
Kierra is currently a freshman at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she is studying entertainment law. Though originally a criminal justice major, the decision to switch to entertainment law was definitely influenced by her growing career in the gospel music industry.[5] Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006.
In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards, ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel standing in for Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.
Discography
Albums
* I Owe You
(EMI Gospel, 2004)
* Just Until
(EMI Gospel, 2005)
* This Is Me
(EMI Gospel, 2006)
* This Is Me:
Special Edition
(+6 bonus songs)
(EMI Gospel, 2006)
* This Is Me:
Japanese Import
(+2 songs unavailable in U.S.)
(EMI Gospel, 2006)
Singles
* "You Don't Know"/"Praise Offering"
* "Let Go"
* "Why Me"
* "Yes"
* "This Is Me — The Live Session"
Other
* J. Moss feat. Kierra "Kiki" Sheard & 21:03: "Jump, Jump" V2 (GospoCentric)
* Kierra "KiKi" Sheard & Marcus Cole: "This Christmas" Christmas To Remember (EMI Gospel)
* Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "The Will Of God" Finally Karen (Island)
* Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "Sacrifice" 2nd Chance (Elektra)
* Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "You Loved Me" The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra)
* Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "Don't Change" The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra)
* Ramiyah f/ Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Karen Clark Sheard: "Don't Nobody Know" Ramiyah (Columbia)
* 21:03 f/ Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, PDA & J Moss: "One Love" Twenty One O Three (Verity)
* Kierra "Kiki" Sheard: "Nearer My God To Thee" Music Inspired By the Motion Picture Amazing Grace (Sparrow)
Videography
Kierra filmed her first two videos for "This Is Me" and "Yes" simultaneously. Both songs are culled from her 2006 sophomore studio release This Is Me.
* "This Is Me" premiered on September 16, 2006. The
video is for the Antonio Neal-produced "live
session" version of the song, not to be confused
with the Darkchild-produced studio version. The
scenes alternate from Kiki driving a Ford Fusion,
Kiki singing in a small gig, and Kiki singing in a
curtained room.
* "Yes" consists of alternating scenes of Kiki
Sheard in an old-fashioned General Motors vehicle
and a party scene on top of a roof. The video
premiered on The Gospel Music Channel and BET.
For further reference, Kierra Sheard has made video appearances on the DVD release Dorinda Clark Cole LIVE, singing background for Clark Cole throughout the set and being featured in a standout solo on "You Can't Hurry God". Also available is Karen Clark Sheard's Finally Karen Live (VHS only). This video features the now-classic 1997 Karen & Kierra duet performance that earned both artists Stellar awards in their respective fields.
Controversy
There was a rumor going around that prior to signing with EMI Gospel, Sheard considered singing with a well known mainstream R&B label. While this was seemingly minor, it stirred up Sheard's conservative fan base. In an interview, Sheard claimed that she had not ever considered signing with a secular label.[6]
Trivia
* Kierra's song "Have What You Want" plays in gospel
duo Mary Mary's recent music video "Yesterday".
The vamp is heard as the two exit their vehicle,
presumably from their car.
* Sheard's favorite musical artist is Mary J.
Blige[7]
References
1. ^ Kierra "KiKi" Sheard to be Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off Spokesperson & Judge. GospelCity.com (May 5, 2005).
2. ^ Justin Camacho (January 5, 2006). 'Kiki' Sheard Tops Japanese Radio, Receives 3 Stellar Nominations. The Christian Times.
3. ^ Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's ‘This Is Me’ debuts at #1. GospelCity.com (July 10, 2006).
4. ^ 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List. Grammy.com.
5. ^ Jones, Steven. Kierra Kiki Sheard Interview. GospelFlava.com.
6. ^ Heron, Christopher. BlackGospel.com Interview With Kierra Kiki Sheard. BlackGospel.com.
7. ^ Jones, Steven. Kierra Kiki Sheard Insider Interview. GospelFlava.com.
Hear This
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going to get it together sooner or later.
You told me I had to do something so when I said I'll do better. (oo yeah)
And you even said if you do this I'll do that.
And I told you I was moving on and I was right back in my situation which led me to complications.
Oooh I know, I know.
I know. I know. I made a promise. It may have seemed like jiberish. Please hear this. Lord, I'm relentless.
(O Lord Please.)
Hear this. (Please)
Hear this. (Please)
Hear this. (oh Please)
Oh Hear this.
Hear this. (Yeah)
Lord, I'm relentless.
I've even said, "Please, never leave me!"
And I meant that seriously, Lord, accept my plea. (Yeah)
Lord, I'm crying out to you. (oooh)
Because without you I dont know what I would doooo.
And I know.
Chorus
Lord I'm sorry for
For the things that I've done
For the disappointments
And for my disobedience
Ooh I'm sorry Lord.
Oh Lord
Please forgive me
Never leave me
Cause I made mistakes and I know that you're the only way.
And I know.
Chorus.
More ad libbing and chorus continues
In Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's song Hear This, the lyrics speak to the struggles of staying true to one's word while consistently falling short. The singer acknowledges their past failure to follow through on promises made to someone, specifically mentioning how they have continually let the individual down despite their intentions to do better. The singer also touches on their relationship with God, admitting their dependence on Him and their fear of being without His guidance. The repetitive nature of the words "hear this" throughout the chorus could be interpreted as the singer's desperation for others to truly hear and understand the sincerity in their apologies and promises to improve, as well as their plea for God to hear their prayers and grant them forgiveness.
The song sheds light on themes of accountability, trust, forgiveness, and faith. It reflects the common human struggle of trying to stay true to one's word and the consequences that come with repeatedly breaking promises. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that it is through the grace and guidance of a higher power that we are able to improve upon ourselves and live a life more in line with our intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I've said to you over and over
I have repeated many times to you
I'm going to get it together sooner or later.
I will eventually improve myself
You told me I had to do something so when I said I'll do better. (oo yeah)
You instructed me to take action, and I pretended to agree with your advice
And you even said if you do this I'll do that.
You offered me rewards for my actions
And I told you I was moving on and I was right back in my situation which led me to complications.
I claimed to make progress, but I ended up back in my old ways, causing complications
Oooh I know, I know.
I acknowledge my mistakes and shortcomings
I know. I know. I made a promise. It may have seemed like jiberish. Please hear this. Lord, I'm relentless.
I understand that I made a promise that may have seemed empty, but please listen to me. Lord, I am determined to improve myself
(O Lord Please.)
A plea to God for help and guidance
Hear this. (Please) Hear this. (Please) Hear this. (oh Please) Oh Hear this. Hear this. (Yeah) Lord, I'm relentless.
Repeated requests for God to listen and acknowledge the prayer. Also, emphasizing determination to improve
I've even said, "Please, never leave me!"
I have begged God to not abandon me
And I meant that seriously, Lord, accept my plea. (Yeah) Lord, I'm crying out to you. (oooh) Because without you I dont know what I would doooo.
I am sincere in my plea to God and am reaching out because I need his guidance and support
Lord I'm sorry for For the things that I've done For the disappointments And for my disobedience Ooh I'm sorry Lord. Oh Lord Please forgive me Never leave me Cause I made mistakes and I know that you're the only way.
Asking for forgiveness and acknowledging wrongdoing, expressing remorse and asking for forgiveness again. Seeking assurance that God will not abandon despite past mistakes.
More ad libbing and chorus continues
Additional improvisation and continued repetition of the chorus
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.