Keri Hilson

Keen to be a singer from an early age, Keri Hilson caught a break with Destiny's Child producer Anthony Dent and found herself as backing vocals to a number of industry names, including Kelly Rowland and Ciara. Working with producer Polow da Don, she continued her career as a songwriter and vocal arranger for a number of high profile R&B artists as part of the collective of writers known as The Clutch, penning songs for the likes of Ciara, Usher and Britney Spears. When she finally got around to releasing her debut album In A Perfect World in 2009 it immediately hit Number 4 in the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B chart. As well as going gold, the album produced five singles, including a collaboration with Kanye West and Ne-Yo, Knock You Down which became a global top 10 hit. In addition to solo duties, Hilson has appeared as a guest vocalists with many other R&B and hip hop artists, including single The Way I Are and Scream with Timbaland. Her second album is due out in 2010.