Keri Hilson's "We Need to Talk" is a Stunning Return to Music After 15 Years

Keri Hilson poses for a portrait on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Gary Gerard Hamilton)

BY  VIBE MEDIA LIVE

Updated 11:57 PM EDT, April 22, 2025

NEW YORK (VML) — The last time Keri Hilson released an album, Barack Obama was in his second year as U.S. president, the iPad had just been launched, and Instagram was a new platform.

“Some days, it feels like it happened just yesterday. But mostly, it seems like ages ago because I’ve been waiting. I felt stagnant, stuck for a time, and conflicted,” said the two-time Grammy-nominated artist. “I’m approaching this as if I’m starting anew because that’s how it feels to me. I’ve experienced so much since my last release … I’m a completely different person now.”

Hilson, the 42-year-old R&B star known for late 2000s hits like “Knock You Down,” featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo, and “Pretty Girl Rock,” released “WE NEED TO TALK: LOVE” on Friday. It’s her third album, following 2010’s “No Boys Allowed,” and is the first in a trilogy set to be released this year. Featuring the sultry single “Bae,” the nine-track album explores themes of romance and introspection.

“I feel resolved, both with the art and within myself about returning to the spotlight. I believe that sense of resolve needed to be in place before I felt confident enough to release the body of work and reintroduce myself to the world,” explained Hilson, who mentioned she has never stopped recording. “There were songs in my past that were political moves, songs I didn’t truly love but had to perform … I didn’t want to feel that way this time.”

THE DISAPPEARANCE

One such song was a leaked remix of her popular 2009 single “Turnin Me On” featuring Lil Wayne, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics included a diss that fans believed was directed at Beyoncé.

Hilson, who had not yet released her debut album, “In A Perfect World,” which entered at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on Top R&B albums, claimed she was pressured to sing the lines, “She can sing / But she need to move it to the left, left,” thought to reference Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” She says she was threatened that her album might not be released if she refused.

Last week, Hilson gained attention on social media after an interview with iHeartMedia’s “The Breakfast Club,” where she revisited the incident. Although she has discussed it multiple times before, this time she named those involved, including producer Polow Da Don, with whom she was signed. She did not mention singer-songwriter Ester Dean. However, after being tagged by social media users, Dean later identified herself.

The end of a decade-long relationship, a lack of career control, and relentless backlash from the BeyHive led to her depression and withdrawal from the music scene.

THE COMEBACK

During her hiatus, the Georgia native embarked on a healing journey that involved therapy, journaling, and spiritual retreats.

“There were some perspectives that I needed to uncover... untruths, beliefs that I kind of picked up or inherited about myself,” said Hilson, who transitioned to acting.

Her return has involved very selective press, avoiding what she calls “new media” outlets like social media-driven platforms, as she believes monetization can encourage the spread of gossip or incentivize falsehoods. The sensational blog culture of the 2010s significantly fueled the rumors of her alleged conflict with Beyoncé, who has never publicly addressed the issue.

Hilson "can certainly operate and thrive within the R&B genre. She has a dedicated fan base," stated Keithan Samuels, founder of the well-known site RatedRnB.com. "Her core audience has grown over time... she can navigate this new R&B era, which is rich in diversity and sound."

THE MUSIC

Developed through informal writing sessions and tracks created over the years, "WE NEED TO TALK: LOVE" showcases Hilson delivering both vulnerable and playful lyrics across a variety of R&B styles. Having written all but one song, she steered clear of the current R&B trends that emerged during her hiatus, emphasizing individuality as a cornerstone of her initial success. She also feels that algorithms have led to a culture of musical uniformity rather than innovation.

There are classic "Ms. Keri Baby" tracks like the lively, Pop&B-infused "Somethin (Bout U)," alongside more introspective pieces such as "Naked (Love)" and "Say It," where she sings, "I won’t say I love you / ‘til you say you love me."

"In my life, I'm very much a 'girl boss,' right? But when it comes to relationships, I prefer to be a lady. I like to be approached... I prefer the man to say 'I love you' first. I just prefer for a man to lead," Hilson explained. "I'm really a damsel – without the distress."

The sensual slow jam "Scream" sets the mood in the bedroom, while the cheerful "Whatever" features beautiful layered harmonies.

“I feel like it’s something I would have written for Whitney. In fact, I wrote a song for Whitney that she never got to record,” said Hilson, who started her career as a sought-after writer with credits for artists like Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and Britney Spears. “This reminds me of a Whitney Houston track, reflecting where I believe she would be today.”

Samuels from RatedRnB.com notes that this project showcases the newfound control Hilson has over her career.

“To me, it’s not an attempt at a commercial comeback... it feels more personal,” said Samuels. “The previous two albums seemed more tailored to what was trendy at the time.”

THE FREEDOM

Hilson mentions she’s still open to writing for other artists and sharing songs that might not fit her current musical phase. She also has a new Lifetime movie, “Fame: A Temptations Story,” co-starring Keshia Chanté, debuting April 26 at 8 p.m. EDT. Hilson says acting is now equally important in her career.

Although Hilson is cautiously returning to music, fans are warmly welcoming her comeback. Following The Breakfast Club interview, fans showered her with support and positivity, possibly because she finally shared her side of the story in detail, along with the passage of time. Some fans mentioned they had forgotten about the incident or were too young to recall it.

“I just control what I can control... I manage what I let affect my mood. These are insights I’ve gained during my time away,” said Hilson. “I feel unburdened... I’m not letting too much of the past affect the present, and that’s liberating.”