Keri Hilson

Keri Lynn Hilson was born on December 5, 1982, in Decatur, Georgia. Her early musical aspirations led her to secure a record deal with the girl group D’Signe at 14, though the group later disbanded without releasing any material. Hilson initially focused on songwriting and backing vocals, working with producer Anthony Dent before joining The Clutch songwriting-production group in 2004. During this period, she contributed to notable tracks for artists such as Britney Spears, Usher, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige, establishing herself as a recognized songwriter within the industry. Hilary attended Oxford College of Emory University, continuing to refine her craft alongside her studies.

Hilson’s career gained significant momentum when she signed with Timbaland’s Mosley Music Group in 2006. Her mainstream breakthrough arrived with her featured appearance on Timbaland’s 2007 hit single, “The Way I Are,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in eight other countries. This success paved the way for her debut studio album, “In a Perfect World…” (2009), which received positive critical reception and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, earning gold certification from the RIAA. The album featured successful singles like “Turnin Me On” and “Knock You Down,” the latter garnering two Grammy Award nominations, including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Following her debut, Hilson released “No Boys Allowed” (2010), which featured the platinum-certified single “Pretty Girl Rock.” She also expanded into acting, making her film debut in “Think Like a Man” (2012) and appearing in “Riddick” (2013). Throughout her career, Hilson has been recognized with multiple awards, including a BET Award, a MOBO Award, and an NAACP Image Award for her contributions to music. She has also engaged in various philanthropic efforts, supporting causes such as HIV/AIDS awareness and education.