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.
You're the Only One
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey it's me girl B and I have my girl Kiki here and Uncle Fred is my daddy Dark Child...what
Ah ah ahh ahhhhh
[Verse 1:]
I can believe in myself (myself) I call on you cause I need you cause (Life strange
Be me) its me (Straight from DC)
Cause I'm ordinary yes I'm ordinary yeahh
Something that you are
I feelin so free and incredible
I need you my Jesus
Right now holding on to you right now
When I call your name
And Im not given you the praise
My Jesus
Thats why your the only one iiiiiii
2x [Chorus:]
You're the only one that, that makes me
You're the only one that, that loves me
You're the only one I think about
When I ahh! when ahh! I scream out loud
[Verse:2] I can believe in myself (myself) I call on you cause I need you cause (Being with me its he( Heee (Straight from Kiki)
And that's why I'm so confuse
Cause He's the best part of me
Cause Im ordinary something ordinary yeahhhhaa
Something that you are
I feelin so free and incredible
I need you my Jesus
Right now holding on to you right now
When I call your name
And Im not given you the praise
My Jesus
Thats why your the only one I
2x [Chorus:]
You're the only one that, that makes me
You're the only one that, that loves me
You're the only one I think about
When I ahh! when ahh! I scream out loud
[2x] ha ha ha ha ha ha haa ha ha haa
Ah ah ahh ahhhhh
[Hook:]
You and I know who I believe it your grace that keeping me always
(Cause you're the only one I could never give up)
That why I tell the world that you're the only one
2x [Chorus:]
You're the only one that, that makes me
You're the only one that, that loves me
You're the only one I think about
When I ahh! when ahh! I scream out loud
Yeahhhhhhhh
3x:ha ha ha ha ha ha haa ha ha haa Ah ah ahh ahhhhh
The lyrics of Kierra Sheard's song "You're The Only One" express the singer's need for Jesus in her life. It talks about how she feels ordinary and needs Jesus to feel free and incredible. The song starts with a conversation between two girls and an uncle, highlighting the fact that the song is a collaboration between Kierra Sheard and Darkchild. Kierra's voice then enters, expressing her need for Jesus in her life. She acknowledges that she needs help because she is ordinary and she feels free and incredible only when she calls on the name of Jesus. She screams out loud because she realizes that Jesus is the only one that makes her whole.
The first verse talks about how she needs Jesus because she is ordinary and the way she handles herself requires help. She emphasizes that being with Jesus is the best part of her life. The chorus repeats the phrase "You're the only one" to emphasize that Jesus is the only one that makes her feel loved and makes her scream out loud. The second verse emphasizes that Kierra is confused without Jesus and needs Him in her life. The hook emphasizes that it is Jesus' grace that keeps her going, and she could never give up on Him. The song ends with the repetition of "ha ha ha ha ha ha haa ha ha haa Ah ah ahh ahhhhh" to emphasize that Jesus is the source of joy in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
I can believe in myself (myself) I call on you cause I need you cause (Life strange
Be me) its me (Straight from DC)
I have faith in myself, but sometimes life can be unpredictable and difficult, which is why I turn to you for help. I'm just being myself and coming straight from DC.
And the way I handle myself yes Im teelin you why I need help
Cause I'm ordinary yes I'm ordinary yeahh
I know that I need assistance, and I'm telling you the reasons why. I'm just an ordinary person who needs support.
Something that you are
I feelin so free and incredible
I need you my Jesus
Right now holding on to you right now
Being with you makes me feel free and extraordinary. I need you, Jesus, and I am holding onto you tightly at this moment.
When I call your name
And Im not given you the praise
My Jesus
Thats why your the only one iiiiiii
When I am not giving you the recognition and gratitude that you deserve, Jesus, that's when I realize that you are the only one for me.
You're the only one that, that makes me
You're the only one that, that loves me
You're the only one I think about
When I ahh! when ahh! I scream out loud
You are the only one who makes me feel loved and important. I think about you constantly, and when I am overwhelmed, I turn to you for comfort and solace.
Cause He's the best part of me
Cause Im ordinary something ordinary yeahhhhaa
Jesus is the best part of who I am, and even though I am just an ordinary person, I know that he helps make me extraordinary.
You and I know who I believe it your grace that keeping me always
(Cause you're the only one I could never give up)
That why I tell the world that you're the only one
You and I both know that it is your grace that keeps me going, always. I could never give up on you, which is why I proclaim to the world that you are the only one for me.
Contributed by Gabriel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.