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.
Why Me
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh ooo Whoo Whoo Yea Yea
[Intro:]
Know why (why) ain't right that you died (died)
I'm gonna grow just to sing this song, and it's just so amazin' so,
I gotta serve you right, and I gotta get right.
Life got no meanin' right
[Chorus:]
I'm lookin' for you to desire me
And to work it all just for me
[Kiki:]
Ok if you say so, I just wanna show you that I'm grateful
[Chorus:]
I was thinkin' how did you eva fail to like somebody like you love me love me
Somebody like you kept me kept
Ohhhh, I was thinkin' how did you ever come to love somebody like you love me love me
Somebody like you kept me kept me
Ohhhh
[Kiki:]
I was broke (broke)
I think that we all know (know)
You reached out your hand and said "I am Here, I neva left you I brought you here." So what makes it hard to see
You gave your whole life for me, regardless of everything
[Chorus:]
I'm lookin' for you to desire me
And to work it all just for me
[Kiki:]
Ok if you say so, I just wanna show you that I'm grateful
[Chorus:]
I was thinkin' how did you eva fail to like somebody like you love me love me
Somebody like you kept me kept
Ohhhh, I was thinkin' how did you ever come to love somebody like you love me love me
Somebody like you kept me kept me
Ohhhh
[Repeat to end]
The song "Why Me" by Kierra "Kiki" Sheard seems to be a spiritual reflection on the idea of divine love and grace. The first verse acknowledges the singer's awareness that someone has died, and that his or her purpose is to sing a song to honor them. The lyrics testify to a sense of belief in the importance of serving and getting things right in order to be in line with a higher power, despite confusion about the meaning of life. The chorus poses a question of the divine--the singer is looking for proof that she is desired and that the work she is doing is meaningful to a higher power. The second verse, however, speaks to a realization that despite the singer's feelings of brokenness and unworthiness, she was saved and taken care of by a power greater than herself. The song ends with a restating of the chorus and an expression of gratitude.
Through its lyrics, "Why Me" seems to be a spiritual journey of a person who has questions about their worth, purpose, and significance in life, but ultimately finds answers and solace in their faith. The song seems to suggest that the love and grace of a higher power is relentless and all-encompassing, and that even in times of confusion and despair, there is always a reason for gratitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ooo Whoo Whoo Yea Yea
The song starts with a catchy tune that sets the mood for the rest of the lyrics
Know why (why) ain't right that you died (died)
The singer expresses her disbelief and sadness at the death of a loved one
I'm gonna grow just to sing this song, and it's just so amazin' so,
The singer is determined to use her voice to honor the memory of the loved one who passed away
I gotta serve you right, and I gotta get right.
The singer feels a sense of responsibility to live a life that would make the loved one proud
Life got no meanin' right
The singer reflects on the fleeting nature of life and how it can sometimes feel meaningless
I really can't figure it out, why somebody like me is who you worry bout'.
The singer expresses her gratitude for the attention of her loved one, despite feeling undeserving
I'm lookin' for you to desire me
The singer seeks the love and approval of her loved one
And to work it all just for me
The singer hopes that her loved one would go above and beyond to make her happy
Ok if you say so, I just wanna show you that I'm grateful
The singer acknowledges that she may not always understand why things happen, but she wants to express her appreciation nonetheless
I was thinkin' how did you eva fail to like somebody like you love me love me
The singer reflects on her self-doubt and wonders how her loved one could love her so unconditionally
Somebody like you kept me kept
The singer acknowledges that her loved one has been a source of support and comfort in her life
I was broke (broke)
The singer admits to feeling broken and lost at times
I think that we all know (know)
The singer believes that others can relate to feeling broken and lost
You reached out your hand and said "I am Here, I neva left you I brought you here."
The singer recalls a moment when her loved one offered her comfort and reassurance
So what makes it hard to see
The singer wonders why it can be difficult to see the good in life, despite the support of her loved one
You gave your whole life for me, regardless of everything
The singer acknowledges the sacrifices her loved one has made for her and feels grateful
Contributed by Mason J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.