Back in 2008, Urban Pop hit maker Keri Hilson came under intense fire when lyrics she penned for the song ‘Turnin’ Me Off‘ were allegedly aimed at ‘Bow Down’ performer Beyonce.
Though the negative press she received as a result did nothing to silence her success as a commercial act, they did go some way to sully Hilson’s image within the Urban arena…billed the ‘Big Bad’ to Beyonce‘s Buffy.
Now, in a shock and unsettling move, her long time collaborator Timbaland has revealed that she has joined him in penning a song- which sees them apologise to Beyonce and her husband Jay Z.
A unique story below…
After reconciling with Jay after a period of feuding between he and the ‘Ocean’s mogul, Timbaland found himself a home at the Carter owned Roc Nation record label, and- numerous placements on Beyonce‘s fifth studio album.
Then, in a recent interview with Diddy‘s ‘Revolt‘, he announced:
“I got this one song that I did with Keri on my album called ‘Sorry,’ and Keri actually tells the story about the whole Beyoncé thing and how she was sorry about it because she wasn’t really talking about Beyoncé but other people.”
Here’s hoping this song never sees the light of day.
For, while this song no doubt comes from a good place, it seems no thought has gone into how Keri will be perceived once it drops.
For male acts, comparisons are few and far between, with Hip Hop and Rap audiences undeniably more interested in the content than the PR that surrounds it.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said in the female arena…where one’s perceived standing is often worth more than one’s actual standing.
To put it simply, with the likes of Rihanna perceived to be on equal footing with Beyonce because of the smoke’n’mirrors employed to push her brand, what’s to be said of one of their rivals literally begging for forgiveness, in a song that’ll be used to reinforce the idea that Hilson is ‘lesser’ than them.
At best, it’s embarrassing and at worst it’s demeaning and we hope- as staunch supporters of both Keri and Beyonce– the former opts out this number, and addresses the matter in a way that sees her maintain the dignity and respect her talent has afforded her.