Keri Hilson Discussion

[allow that]

Aug 5, 2013 10:47:35 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Is anybody even checking for her next record?

Her next record? Not really. But I'll for sure be checking for the standard two or three hot tracks per era.

[Rican@]

Say what you want but her two releases are some of best produced R&B albums in the past few years. The woman has a talent for writing a song. I look forward to her release.

[crdubb17]

Or at least picking them. I was shocked at her lack of writing credits on the last album (I think she wrote maybe 3 or 4 tracks). But I totally agree with Rican, both of her albums are top notch records. It sucks she really messed her self up with that Bey diss and that arrogant attitude when she came out, I really think the debut would've gone platinum and the last one would've hit gold at least.

[Kishi KCM]

^ That did not affect her sales. It was the singles choices, radio adds, and promo campaign that didn't work for her.

[wavey.]

thatgrapejuice.net/2013/09/grape-juice-interviews-keri-hilson-3/

That Grape Juice Interviews Keri Hilson



With an array of chart hits under her belt, R&B star Keri Hilson is making a foray into film.

Much like her music, the singer-songwriter seems to have a knack for picking wisely. For, she follows her role in last year’s smash ‘Think Like A Man’ with a part in box-office smash ‘Riddick’. The high-octane Sci-Fi flick, which also stars Vin Diesel, opened at #1 upon release this past weekend.

That Grape Juice caught up with the Atlanta-bred beauty recently, chatting it up about her big-screen efforts, upcoming album, and much more. As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to; ever frank, Miss Keri answered them all.

Our interview with Keri Hilson awaits below…


We’ve seen you on the big screen before, but what can we expect different from this venture?

Before, when I was in “Think Like a Man”, it was a character very much like myself. But, this one was a deviation from Keri in a lot of ways.

Is it fun having that release? It’s easy to be yourself, but how do you approach being someone else?

Yes, it was. It was like stepping outside of yourself and escaping my daily normal routine. Anytime I get a chance to be a student I really welcome the opportunity to grow and learn.

We hear the premiere was the first time you got to see the movie. What were your thoughts of yourself?

It [the scene] went by much quicker than we shot it (laughed). There were parts they decided to go without and it’s interesting to see how your days actually play out in a movie.

[YOUTUBE]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Re2y324K4[/YOUTUBE]

I loved all of the special effects. The world we were physically in [when we shot it] was nothing compared to the world they made it after CGI, green screens, and special effects. They really transformed and made it something much bigger than I expected.

Well, we saw the movie and can say you were looking very sexy even as you looked like you were running for your life (laughs)!
Ha! That wasn’t something I was expecting to hear (laughs). With bruises and blood on my face, I remember feeling so dirty. They put dirt on me, under my nails, and all kinds of things. I felt the furthest from sexy I could ever be.


Now, let’s talk music. What can we expect there?

Right now I’m in Virginia working with Timbaland and wrapping the album up. I’ve said before, I don’t rush anything. This one has to do things for me, especially that the other albums didn’t do.

I want to accomplish things with this one that I didn’t with the last.

What kinds of things?
Choosing the right singles, making sure it’s a seamless sonic effort, definitive sound, and lane-setting. These are things I need to accomplish.

We hear there’s a Kanye West collaboration. Who else should we expect?

Doing interviews makes me really understand how many ways people can take a sentence or a phrase. The question was, “have you worked with Kanye West lately”? The answer was “yes”. But, it was assumed he was on my album or I was on his. We actually worked for another artist on his label.

Hilson (cont): Although, he’s been a part of my first two albums and I would love to have him on the third. I think we work well together. He’s a genius and I love him as a person. I welcome the idea.

So, who are you working with?

I want to see Timbaland do for Keri that he does for others. A “big record”. The last time you really saw a successful record between the two of us was “The Way I Are”.

That’s what I’m looking to accomplish with this record.


Your “take no sh*t” personality is awesome because you push people to make sure they give you the best.

Yes, this is a business. I feel in a lot of ways I’ve been failed. I put in my all. Yes, I can do more. I’m not placing blame at all, however, I need everyone to give me the same amount of effort that I’m going to give.

I’m appreciative of people, but how loyal are you supposed to before you get what you’re needing or “too much of a compromise”. I refuse to be loyal to my own demise. I am pushing them [Timbaland and Polow Da Don] to give me their best.

So, have you heard the album’s first single? Do you have it yet?

We think we do, but I’ve been gone so long I don’t think it would be wise to rush now.

What’s the feel of it sonically?

I don’t want to label anything because I would hate for us to deviate from that. At this phase, I will not put a label on what people will here. But, I do think my fans will pleased.

Well, we at That Grape Juice are definitely fans of both albums. Highlights for us were your visit to our very own ‘The Splash’ to perform songs you’d never performed before.

Yes! I was a little nervous because I’d never performed songs like “All The Boys”. I really wish it was a single. That’s one of my professional regrets…not fighting for that song over others.


Cool. Now, going back to Timbaland, we’ve also heard of your involvement with his new album. Can you tell us about that?

I’ve heard the music and it’s dope. He and Jay-Z have a record and I’m on it.

Any truth to the “apology” song that’s been causing commotion?

That track really got misrepresented though. Whoever filmed that video cut him off and faded the video off to make it seem like it was the end of the sentence.

Maybe his intention was to clear up what he previously said. I’m not sure if that record will even make the album.

Last, but not least, with ‘Think Like A Man’ and ‘Riddick now under your belt, can we expect any more acting from you in the near future?

Yes, we can expect it in my future but not the near future. I’m so engulfed in music at the moment and did ‘Riddick’ while on break from it.




Read more: thatgrapejuice.net/2013/09/grape-juice-interviews-keri-hilson-3/#ixzz2eVWrdTVx
Follow us: @thatgrapejuice on Twitter | ThatGrapeJuiceOfficial on Facebook

[bunifah]

Great read
I think Keri is really underrated. People still judge her on the back of those allegedly assumptions from 5 years ago.
She deserves a chance cause she is a real talent.

[wavey.]

I agree. "Pretty Girl Rock" should've been the first single, then I think things would have been better from there.

[SHOOTER]

C'mon Karen!

[tamed09]

This album was wrapped in In Atlanta with Young Thug....there's a record with Juicy J that was going to be the single but things may have changed. Look for a single top of the year and album by April

[Deleted]

Random, I was just thinking a few days ago that Keri must have decided to exit the biz indefinitely. I look forward to it, but I wonder if there is still a place for her; it's been a long time since her last album. She was actually one of the better sellers back then, even though she stayed catching shade and more bricks than hits.

All I know is I need another "Alienated" type of song in my life.

[wavey.]

I'll take another "Knock You Down".

[Deleted]

I had a dream about her last night.

Her first album was pretty good, minus a few outright terrible songs. Her second was a hot ass mess.

[wavey.]

Nov 24, 2014 15:04:00 GMT -5 @soblu said:

I had a dream about her last night.

Her first album was pretty good, minus a few outright terrible songs. Her second was a hot ass mess.

In A Perfect World was soo good minus Return the Flavor and Change Me.

I never listened to NBA in full. One Night Stand, Beautiful Mistake, Pretty Girl Rock, Breaking Point, and Lose Control were my jams.

[Rican@]

I used to love the original leak of "Return the Favor" but album version was lacking. It was unfortuante that they couldn't get a clearance for the sample. Without it, the song felt empty.

[wavey.]

Yeah, they better change that first single option.

[SHOOTER]

KIIS FM still plays KYD regularly so with the RIGHT single, I think she stands a good chance of radio embracing her once again.

That said, pretty much R&B singer in the industry is facing the same uphill battle these days and her break from the industry has been about as long as her active singing career so she needs the first single to be a one shot kill!

[bunifah]

Nov 24, 2014 20:49:37 GMT -5 Rican@ said:

I used to love the original leak of "Return the Favor" but album version was lacking. It was unfortuante that they couldn't get a clearance for the sample. Without it, the song felt empty.

So it was a sampler issue? Lordt I to this day held it against her over how she could have erased the PERFECTION that was the original chorus of "Favor"

That "kiss me and ill kiss you back" hook still gives me LIFE


But with that said, im still gutted "Lose control" never happened. That song was my s**t

[Ling-Ling]

I dislike the original version of "Return The Favor," definitely prefer the album version.

Neither one of her albums was amazing, but had some really strong highlights. I'm here for some more Keri jams. But she has been gone a long time...

[evergreen]

Let's not sleep on "Toy Soldier" now.

Her biggest misstep was not releasing "I Like".

[Kishi KCM]

Nov 27, 2014 2:22:43 GMT -5 evergreen said:

Let's not sleep on "Toy Soldier" now.

Her biggest misstep was not releasing "I Like".

Her label released it in Europe, not North America.

[bunifah]

IMO her biggest mistake was NOT putting Hurt You on the main album. That song is a JAM. It got wasted as some store only exclusive. That was her UAC smash that never happened


This thread made me revisit her catalog and boy she sure delivered. When she got it right she got it RIGHT
IMO she is the best and most underrated r&b lady that came from her generation

[Linnethia Monique]

Nov 27, 2014 6:12:23 GMT -5 bunifah said:

IMO her biggest mistake was NOT putting Hurt You on the main album. That song is a JAM. It got wasted as some store only exclusive. That was her UAC smash that never happened


This thread made me revisit her catalog and boy she sure delivered. When she got it right she got it RIGHT
IMO she is the best and most underrated r&b lady that came from her generation

You talking about Hurts Me the exclusive for Wet Seal I LOVE that track! It was good to see her and Candince working again since The Clutch days. She's working with J Que on this album so that's exciting. They've created some great track together over the years (Avant's "4 Minutes" and Paula Campbell "Hit List").

[bunifah]

Nov 27, 2014 6:42:15 GMT -5 Linnethia Monique said:

Nov 27, 2014 6:12:23 GMT -5 bunifah said:

IMO her biggest mistake was NOT putting Hurt You on the main album. That song is a JAM. It got wasted as some store only exclusive. That was her UAC smash that never happened


This thread made me revisit her catalog and boy she sure delivered. When she got it right she got it RIGHT
IMO she is the best and most underrated r&b lady that came from her generation

You talking about Hurts Me the exclusive for Wet Seal I LOVE that track! It was good to see her and Candince working again since The Clutch days. She's working with J Que on this album so that's exciting. They've created some great track together over the years (Avant's "4 Minutes" and Paula Campbell "Hit List").

Damn ma'am! Where the fuq did I get Hurt You from?? LAWL! U are correct - HURTS ME. That song is such a joint. The vocals, the production, the backing vocals, everything is just perfect! That would be a great 4th single for her debut. I hope she works with Candice again - they make magic

[Rican@]

"Hurts Me" was my favorite song on the album even though it wasn't on the standard album. Something about it just worked. I remember I mention during the era that it should be a single.

[wavey.]

Get Your Money Up would've been iTunes bait.

[SHOOTER]

Yeah, I need her and Candice to hook up again sooner than later.

[marcjm]

If she comes back out, I think she will have to consider going in the direction of Jhene Aiko with the more atmospheric, mellow R&B vibe.

[wavey.]

Her voice is too strong for that vibe, but it could work. How the hell did I forget about Make Love???????

[Deleted]

I think that would be her best shot at a comeback but I don't even know if it would work. Honestly, I think Jhene and Timashe and SZA are stronger vocalists than Keri, even if their styles are more laid back. Keri's biggest problem has always been that her voice lacks character. She has found some great songs to make up for it but her voice is almost like a demo singer.

[Mic Technique]

Nov 28, 2014 15:24:55 GMT -5 @soblu said:

Honestly, I think Jhene and Timashe and SZA are stronger vocalists than Keri, even if their styles are more laid back.

Hm. I respect your Jhene hustle but the only one mentioned who I think is on par with Keri is Tinashe.

Nov 28, 2014 15:24:55 GMT -5 @soblu said:

Keri's biggest problem has always been that her voice lacks character.

I disagree but I see this opinion floated a lot. Maybe it speaks less of character but her voice is always fluid and brisk. Distinctively so.