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.
It Is What It Is
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can somebody tell me what's going on now,
It seems like there's so much confusion in the streets.
I heard somebody ask, "what happens when you die",
That's when I stepped in...
And said "If you don't know my God,"
"you might go to a place that's burning hot".
That didn't make no sense, but it is what it is.
(I'm just trying to get you to see truth),
(there's no truth in what you do);
You're simply blind to the fact
That I really got your back
And I ain't gonna lie to you.
(Chorus:)
If you think you're living right,
I'm the one to tell you
That you gotta get it right.
If you think that you gon' make it
Just 'cause you so nice,
I can tell you no other way,
'cause it is what it is.
If you think you're living right,
I'm the one to tell you
That you gotta get it right.
If you think that you gon' make it
Just 'cause you so nice,
I can tell you no other way,
'cause it is what it is.
(Verse 2:)
Now we can sit here and talk about this (all day long),
And chances are you would (still be wrong).
You can't tell me nothing (about this),
Trust me, man, you can't get into heaven (without this).
It's like I was born on a (pew),
I know what to (do),
I really don't understand why it's so hard for (you);
I will continue every night to (pray),
But the fact is you gotta be saved.
(I'm just trying to get you to see truth),
(there's no truth in what you do);
You're simply blind to the fact
That I really got your back
And I ain't gonna lie to you.
(Chorus)
(Bridge:)
Don't make your time on this earth (worthless),
I just want you to see that you need to be (serving).
I'm not telling you to live like me,
I'm just (birthing) something in your soul,
And trust me it's (worth it).
(I'm gon' say it again),
Don't make your time on this earth (worthless),
I just want you to see that you need to be (serving).
I'm not telling you to live like me,
I'm just (birthing) something in your soul,
And trust me it's (worth it).
(Chorus)
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's song It Is What It Is is a song that addresses the confusion and misinformation that's present in our society, especially when it comes to religion and salvation. The song starts by asking what's going on and how there's so much confusion in the streets. Kiki then steps in with the truth about eternal life and that if you don't know God, you might go to a place that's burning hot. She then talks about getting into a big argument about salvation, which didn't make sense, but it is what it is. Kiki stresses the importance of knowing God and living right because that's the only way to get into heaven. She urges her listeners not to make their time on this earth worthless and to serve God because that's the only way to get it right.
The song is a powerful message that highlights the importance of knowing God and living a life that pleases Him. Kiki's deep understanding of the biblical truth shines through the song as she tries to enlighten her listeners. One of the interesting things about this song is that Kiki sampled a part of a speech by Bishop T.D. Jakes, where he talked about how life is what it is, and you have to face it. Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by her brother J. Drew Sheard II, who's also her label mate. The song has received massive airplay and has generated over five million streams since its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Can somebody tell me what's going on now,
I am confused about the chaos surrounding me, can someone explain it to me?
It seems like there's so much confusion in the streets.
The atmosphere around me is full of uncertainty, chaos and confusion
I heard somebody ask, "what happens when you die",
I overheard someone asking about the afterlife
That's when I stepped in...
I intervened to provide the right answer
"If you don't know my God,"
If you are not aware of my religion
"you might go to a place that's burning hot".
You might go to a place of eternal punishment
Then we got into this big argument,
What followed was a heated debate
That didn't make no sense, but it is what it is.
Though the discussion was absurd, it remains a fact
"I'm just trying to get you to see truth",
I am attempting to show you the right path
"there's no truth in what you do);
What you believe in is not the truth
You're simply blind to the fact
You're unaware of the truth
That I really got your back
I am here to support and guide you
And I ain't gonna lie to you.
I won't sugarcoat the truth or deceive you
If you think you're living right,
If you believe you're following the right path
I'm the one to tell you
I am the one to correct you
That you gotta get it right.
You need to rectify your ways
If you think that you gon' make it
If you believe that you will succeed
Just 'cause you so nice,
Just because you're being good or kind
I can tell you no other way,
I can't offer any other solution
"cause it is what it is.
Because the reality cannot be changed
Now we can sit here and talk about this (all day long),
We can discuss this endlessly
And chances are you would (still be wrong).
However, your assessment would still be incorrect
You can't tell me nothing (about this),
You cannot argue with me about my faith
Trust me, man, you can't get into heaven (without this).
You cannot enter heaven without believing in my faith
It's like I was born on a (pew),
I have been brought up in a religious household
I know what to (do),
I know what is expected of me as a believer
I really don't understand why it's so hard for (you);
It's difficult for me to understand why you don't follow my faith
I will continue every night to (pray),
I will continue to pray for your guidance and enlightenment
But the fact is you gotta be saved.
However, it remains a fact that you need to be saved to be with God
Don't make your time on this earth (worthless),
Don't waste your time on the planet
I just want you to see that you need to be (serving).
I want you to understand that you need to serve the Almighty
I'm not telling you to live like me,
I am not insisting that you follow my lifestyle
I'm just (birthing) something in your soul,
However, I am instilling something meaningful in you
And trust me it's (worth it).
Believe me, it is invaluable
I'm gon' say it again,
I will repeat myself
And trust me it's (worth it).
Believe me, it is invaluable
Contributed by Caden A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.