Keri causes a stir!

If The-Dream has the midas touch on writing #1 hits, Keri Hilson is his female counterpart. One may not know that Miss Hilson is no stranger to music charts. Her songwriting crew, The Clutch, has written blockbuster songs like "Take Me As I Am" (Mary J. Blige), "Ice Box" (Omarion), "Like A Boy" and the international hit "The Way I Are". But in 2006, the platform was set for Hilson to come into her own as a SINGER and songwriter. Under the tutelage of Timbaland and Danja, Hilson began an almost 2.5 year span of creating her debut album, In A Perfect World, which is in stores now! (word has it, she caused quite a ruckus at the Virgin store tonight...but that didn't stop her from showing love to fans before the cops asked them all to leave)

I started out making the comparison to The-Dream for a specific reason. While Keri doesn't have the strongest or most recognizable voice, In A Perfect World takes you on a very realistic feminine perspective of love; falling in and out. The lead single "Turnin Me On" leaves much to be desired (as most singles often do), but it carried with the help of Lil Wayne (and the countless remixes that followed). The collection of records are enjoyable, but disappointingly normal. Hilson's vocal delivery on such tracks as "Make Love" and "Slow Dance" (co-written by Justin Timberlake) is relatively intense though. She also shows her ability to keep up lyrically with music's leading men, Kanye West and Ne-Yo on her 3rd single "Knock You Down".

Although the project has its flaws, Keri Hilson proves that she's more than capable of stepping into the ring w/ female r&b favorites. She may not be superstar status yet. But she's on the minds of bloggers and other forms of media. I mean she did call out the reigning multi-media queen, Mrs. Shawn Carter (or Beyonce, whichever you prefer). While the controversy was a good segueway into her album release, Hilson need not rely on or succumb to throwing petty jabs. For example, the aforementioned record "Make Love" will blow many listeners away; it's not a record you'd attribute to Keri Hilson. But trust me, that song is the glue that holds the entire CD together. The production is sexy and it ventures into unknown vocal territory. Timbaland takes us to the club on the drum-driven "How Does It Feel".

Make no mistake, this is not an album that will receive tons of praise or awards. On the other hand I'm impressed and I give her props as credible urban/pop singer. Hopefully the weaknesses on this CD will be corrected on her 2nd effort. In a perfect world, Hilson will come back and establish her own sound that is uniquely Keri Hilson

Strongest Records

"Make Love"
"Knock You Down"
"Tell Him The Truth" (great production from Danja, powerfully written)


Weakest Records

"Alienated"
"Get Your Money Up"
"Turnin Me On" (as popular as this song was/is, I just don't think it's a strong joint for her)