In the 2000s, music had a grasp on people like no other. With hits from Usher, Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child, Ciara Missy Elliott and so many others, people still play their classics on repeat. With festivals like Lovers and Friends and local shows like the My 2000s playlist, the 2000s era will always be cherished. As much of an impact that these artists have made in this time, some have not deserved the accolades they should be getting. One that comes to mind is Keri Hilson.
In June, Hilson was honored with the Music and Songwriter Icon Award. Not only has she released her own music, but she has also written for artists that no one knew she did.
What we’re not gonna do is act like Keri Hilson didn’t have a huge impact on music in the 2000s. She’s more than deserving of a tribute at a black award show. Not only for her albums but for writing hits for many others. https://t.co/cqgOsnMrko
— Black Culture News (@blackculturenew) July 7, 2022
After the tribute performance, Hilson was a trending topic, with fans giving her the recognition that the public needs to see. “Keri Hilson deserves all her flowers,” wrote one fan. Another fan also tweeted “I don’t think y’all get how much impact Keri Hilson had in the music industry. The amount of hits she wrote for y’all favorite artist and for herself.”
Keri Hilson deserves all her flowers…Gimme More-written by Keri for Britney…Like A Boy-written by Keri for Ciara…Take Me As I Am..for Mary J and the list goes on and on…Please put some respect on her name… https://t.co/cWPF8fLFYH
— Maria Mandolesi ☦️ (@theMMlalaland) July 8, 2022
I don’t think y’all get how much impact Keri Hilson had in the music industry. The amount of hits she wrote for y’all favorite artist and for herself. Her own discography is amazing. She’s talented as hell and could’ve been bigger had she not left music. Get over that diss🙄
As a writer, Hilson has co-written songs for artists across all genres. Some of the songs include “Runaway Love” by Ludacris, “Take Me As I Am” by Mary J. Blige, “Ice Box” by Omarion and “Forever” by Chris Brown. She also wrote Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” and “Wait A Minute” by The Pussycat Dolls.
As an artist, she was first featured on the Xzibit track “Hey Now (Mean Muggin)” in 2004. In 2007, she was then featured on the classic Timbaland song “The Way I Are.” The song went to chart at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and is now certified triple platinum.
A year after, she released her debut solo studio album In A Perfect World. The album charted at number four on the Billboard 200 and includes the songs “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo and “Turnin’ Me On” featuring Lil Wayne. “Knock You Down” earned Hilson a Grammy nomination for Best/Rap Sung Collaboration.
In 2010, she released her sophomore album No Boys Allowed. The album includes the female-empowering anthem “Pretty Girl Rock.” Fellow female singer-songwriter Jade Novah performed the song as a tribute to Hilson at the Black Honor Music Awards.
For what it’s worth, Keri Hilson deserves more recognition than she has. Hopefully, we will see her make more festival and concert appearances and maybe new music soon.
