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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
There was a rumor going around that prior to signing with [[EMI Gospel]], Sheard considered singing with a well known mainstream [[R&B]] label. While this was seemingly minor, it stirred up Sheard's conservative fan base. In an interview, Sheard claimed that she had not ever considered signing with a secular label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackgospel.com/interviews/kierrakikisheard.htm|title=BlackGospel.com Interview With Kierra Kiki Sheard|author=Heron, Christopher|publisher=BlackGospel.com}}</ref>
There was a rumor going around that prior to signing with [[EMI Gospel]], Sheard considered singing with a well known mainstream [[R&B]] label. While this was seemingly minor, it stirred up Sheard's conservative fan base. In an interview, Sheard claimed that she had not ever considered signing with a secular label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackgospel.com/interviews/kierrakikisheard.htm|title=BlackGospel.com Interview With Kierra Kiki Sheard|author=Heron, Christopher|publisher=BlackGospel.com}}</ref>
Also Kierra is starting a new movie called The Preacher's Kid


==Discography==
==Discography==

Revision as of 17:18, 21 August 2009

Kierra Sheard

Kierra "Kiki" Sheard (born Kierra Valencia Sheard) is a Grammy Award-nominated American gospel recording artist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard (member of the seminal gospel singing group The Clark Sisters) and the granddaughter of legendary gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark.

Early life

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the strong influences of her family, their faith, and their music.[1] At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Superintendent J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts, executing high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and deep, throaty growls sometimes referred to as "squalls" (the latter is prominently displayed on "Done Did It", a traditional gospel leaning track from her album I Owe You).[citation needed]

Music career

Beginnings

Sheard made her stage debut at the age of 10 duetting with her mother on the Evangelist Richard "Clean" White-penned "The Will Of God", the standout closing track from her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed her skills as a performer accompanying her mother on stage. By 2003, EMI Gospel won a bidding war between several record companies to sign Kierra to her first recording contract.

2004–2005: I Owe You

Her debut album I Owe You was released on September 7, 2004. The 11-track set included production and songwriting from such notable music luminaries as Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, J Moss, and Tonéx. The album also functioned as the production debut for her brother J Drew.

The following year, EMI commissioned a collection of remixes entitled Just Until... on August 2, 2005. The title of the stopgap release was abbreviated from its working title "Just Until The Next Record".[2] The album had a surprise international hit in The Godson Concept remix of "Let Go". The upbeat gospel single, released only in Japan, raced to the top of mainstream R&B charts and remained there for several weeks.[3]

2006–2007: This is Me

Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard readied her second album This Is Me. It debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart when it was released June 27, 2006.[4] A midtempo fan favorite, the Fred Jerkins III-produced "Why Me?" was chosen as the lead single for the album. Sheard's shot her first music videos for two subsequent singles from the album, "Yes" and "This Is Me". The album was Grammy Award-nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in December 2006.[5]

In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards, ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel standing in for pregnant Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.

2008–2009: Bold Right Life

In October 2008, Sheard released her fourth album, Bold Right Life. The album spunned the two lead singles "Praise Him Now" and "Won't Hold Back".[6][7] Sheard also made an appearance on Mary Mary's The Sound album on the track "God In Me".

In January 2009, Sheard appeared at the BMI Trailblazers performing "Jesus Is a Love Song" as a salute to her aunt, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark.

EMI Gospel announced that Sheard will be releasing her greatest hits album entitled, Best Of, on September 22, 2009.[8]

Kierra also has a role in "The Preacher's Kid" (starring Letoya Luckett, Durrell Babbs, Clifton Powell, Gregalan Williams, Sharif Atkins) which is to be released in theaters on October 30, 2009.

Philanthropy

In 2006, Sheard founded the Bold Right Life Company also known as BRL. Bold Right Life features a group of choir singers gather by Sheard and her staff. BRL haved toured with Sheard as backup singers.[9]

Personal life

Sheard is currently a student at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she is studying entertainment law. Though originally a criminal justice major, the decision to switch to entertainment law was definitely influenced by her growing career in the gospel music industry.[10] Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006.

Controversy

There was a rumor going around that prior to signing with EMI Gospel, Sheard considered singing with a well known mainstream R&B label. While this was seemingly minor, it stirred up Sheard's conservative fan base. In an interview, Sheard claimed that she had not ever considered signing with a secular label.[11]

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • "You Don't Know"
  • "Closer"
  • "Let Go"
  • "Why Me"
  • "Yes"
  • "This Is Me — The Live Session"
  • "You"
  • "Praise Him Now"
  • "Won't Hold Back"
  • "Jesus"
  • "God In Me" (Mary Mary featuring Kierra Sheard)
  • "Love Like Crazy"
  • "Invisible"

Other

  • J. Moss feat. Kierra "Kiki" Sheard & 21:03: "Jump, Jump" V2... The J Moss Project (GospoCentric)
  • Kierra "KiKi" Sheard & Marcus Cole: "This Christmas" Christmas To Remember (EMI Gospel)
  • Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "The Will Of God" Finally Karen (Island)
  • Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "Sacrifice" 2nd Chance (Elektra)
  • Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "You Loved Me" The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra)
  • Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Sheard: "Don't Change" The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra)
  • Ramiyah f/ Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Karen Clark Sheard: "Don't Nobody Know" Ramiyah (Columbia)
  • 21:03 f/ Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, PDA & J Moss: "One Love" Twenty One O Three (Verity)
  • Kierra "Kiki" Sheard: "Nearer My God To Thee" Music Inspired By the Motion Picture Amazing Grace (Sparrow)
  • Tye Tribbett feat. Kierra Sheard: "Look Up" Stand Out (Columbia)[12]
  • Mary Mary feat Kierra Sheard: "God In Me" The Sound (Sony/Columbia)

Videography

Music videos

  • Kierra Sheard: "Yes"
  • Kierra Sheard: "This Is Me"
  • J. Moss: "Operator"
  • Mary Mary: "God In Me"
  • Mary Mary: "Get Up"

Other appearances

  • Karen Clark Sheard: Finally Karen Live (VHS, 1997)
  • Dorinda Clark Cole: Live (DVD, 2003)
  • Salute to the Queen of Soul
  • 22nd Annual Gospel Stellar Awards
  • BET Celebration of Gospel
  • 106 & Gospel

References

  1. ^ James Christopher Monger. "Kierra "KiKi" Sheard Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  2. ^ "Kierra "KiKi" Sheard to be Kellogg's Gospel Sing Off Spokesperson & Judge". GospelCity.com. May 5, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Justin Camacho (January 5, 2006). "'Kiki' Sheard Tops Japanese Radio, Receives 3 Stellar Nominations". The Christian Times. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's 'This Is Me' debuts at #1". GospelCity.com. July 10, 2006.
  5. ^ "49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List". Grammy.com.
  6. ^ "Kierra Sheard: Praise Him Now". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  7. ^ "Kierra Sheard: Won't Hold Back". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  8. ^ Upcoming New Releases - Subject To ChangeNew Release Tuesday. Retrieved: June 9, 2009
  9. ^ Bold Right Life Website
  10. ^ Jones, Steven. "Kierra Kiki Sheard Interview". GospelFlava.com.
  11. ^ Heron, Christopher. "BlackGospel.com Interview With Kierra Kiki Sheard". BlackGospel.com.
  12. ^ Bonner, Gerard. "RECAP: Live Recording Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing, Virginia Beach (2007)". GospelFlava.com. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
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