Album Review: Keri Hilson "In A Perfect World"

“In A Perfect World”, Keri Hilson would already be a household name however with the release of her long-awaited debut album it won’t be long before she is.

Keri Hilson’s music career began back in 2001, as a featured vocalist on Xzbit’s single “Hey Now (Mean Muggin’)” . Yet it was not until she reappeared alongside Timbaland on the #1 single, “The Way I Are” in 2006 that the public began to take notice.

A notes songwriter, Hilson has written for music’s biggest names including Usher (“Love In This Club, Part II“), Britney Spears (“Gimme More”), Mary J. Blige (“Take Me As I Am”), Omarion (“Ice Box”) and The Pussycat Dolls (“Wait A Minute”) to name a few.

Hilson’s debut features production from Timbaland and Polow Da Don, both serve as the album’s executive producers as well as additional production from Nathaniel “Danja” Hills and The Runaways. With guest appearances from Akon, Lil’ Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Trina, Kanye West and Ne-Yo. The Atlanta native, holds nothing back in delivering what could be the best contemporary R&B album of 2009.

On the album’s intro, Hilson makes it clear she is coming for the number one spot and isn’t taking any prisoners. The album’s opening track and second single , “Turnin’ Me On” features Lil’ Wayne proves to be just a preview of what the 26 year-old has under her sleeves. Obviously, fans have been “turned on” as the single has reached the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles and # 1 on the Mainstream Hip Hop/R&B Singles charts respectively. The track was recently named “Best Spring Break Female Song” in the April 2009 issue of Blender Magazine, beating out artist such as Britney Spears, Ciara, Lady GaGa and Kelly Clarkson.

“Get Your Money Up” features fellow R&B songstress Keyshia Cole and rapper Trina. Hilson offers another potential hit for the clubs. “If you think you impressin’ us/With your ice and dubs/ Poppin’ bottles in the club/Get your money up” sings a confident Hilson, telling men to impress her with more than the status quo. The track is sure to make the ladies dance and have the guys, well…”get their money up”.

The Kanye West and Ne-Yo assisted “Knock You Down”, the album’s third official single, offers tales of regret after falling in love with someone you weren’t suppose to. “Slow Dance”, co-written by Justin Timberlake, displays Hilson’s ability to make classic “baby making” music , offering sex appeal without over doing it. “Intuition” gives listeners insight on a woman’s ability to know when her lover is being unfaithful. Boasting production from Timbaland, Hilson’s voice flows over the beat like a hand placed into a customized glove.

“Didn’t see it comin’/Wasn’t on purpose/Baby I promise/ Didn’t mean to hurt you/ Will you forgive me/ You don’t deserve this” sings a regretful and vulnerable Hilson on “Tell Him The Truth”. The track finds the singer/songwriter in a position of revealing a potentially hurtful truth to her significant other.



Keri Hilson’s debut album, “In A Perfect World” delivers on all levels, encompassing a mixture of mid and up-tempo tracks as well as something for the club and the bedroom. With upcoming new releases from other R&B artist male and female alike, Hilson’s “In A Perfect World” feels like a breath of fresh air from the monotony that has become R&B music.

Hilson has made the transition from songwriter to artist, quite possibly better than fellow singer/songwriter Ne-Yo. Only time will tell if her success is greater or equally matched. After numerous delays, “In A Perfect World” will finally see the life of day, the album hits stores TODAY.