However, for singer/songwriter Hilson collecting royalty checks wasn’t her idea of success.  She had her eyes on stepping into the limelight and she’s done a pretty good job of that.  Her debut album In A Perfect World with high profile collabs Ne-Yo and Kanye West on super producer Timbaland’s label resulted in a Grammy nod, Best New Artist, wins from the NAACP Image Awards and BET Awards along with a tour with Lil Wayne.

With her new album, No Boys Allowed, she is working hard to show the world a whole new side to Miss Keri Baby.  She explains, “I think part of being an artist is shedding off pieces of yourself with time.”  Filled with girl power anthems like the TLC leaning “Pretty Girl Rock” and the ultra sexy “The Way That You Love Me” (complete with internet buzzing uncut video), No Boys Allowed should make the diehard members of #TeamKeri happy and add a few new ones too.

But. how in an increasingly jaded era of consumers do you gain and keep the public’s attention?  You might have doubted her when the explicit version of “The Way That You Love Me” hit the net in all its hip thrusting glory but Keri seems to have a plan.  Talking to her you definitely get the feeling that she is the captain of her ship and the ship seems to be on the right course.  Along the way she has built a legion of diehard fans through her constant online presence.  Through her album release countdown videos and banter with fans on Twitter she has made her “Keri Krew” into a loyal army.  Add to that a recent appearance on VH1’s Divas tribute to the troops and you can see that Ms. Keri isn’t trying to go softly into the night anytime soon.

Keri Hilson – The Way You Love Me

G. Valentino Ball: So Keri you know you damn near broke the internet with that video, right?

Keri Hilson: Did I?  (Laughs)

G. Valentino Ball: Uh Yea! Did the reaction surprise you?

Keri Hilson: No, I’m not really surprised at the reaction.  I think part of being an artist is shedding off pieces of yourself with time.  They have seen the lovey dovey side; they have seen the emotional.  They have seen the heartbroken side.  They have seen the strong confident side.  They haven’t seen the sexy side.  I sent a tweet saying I’m a woman.  We are classy.  We are raunchy.  We are freaky.  We are confident.  And, we are insecure.  With my album [in order] to represent the everyday average real woman I have to show every side of that.   I felt that it was only right.

I’m not surprised at the reaction.  While I do understand it I know nothing I do is without reason.  I just thought it was so important to be real.  Even though I am not a freak 100% of the time I do have those nights in a relationship.  No one likes a mundane sex life.  A lot of marriages or relationships break up because they become mundane.  Some nights you want it the way the way you want it.  If I’m being real and speaking for women, then this is how we feel sometimes.  This is what we would like men to know.

G. Valentino Ball: It didn’t strike me as the most outlandish thing in the world.  We have heard far worse from other artists.  The reaction seems heavy because it’s you and we haven’t seen that from you.

Keri Hilson: Yeah. I think so.  I’m not mad at that.  I’m not mad that it catches people off guard.  I don’t want people to ever expect the same thing out of me.  I’m capable of a lot of things.  I’ve written in a lot of genres.  It’s proven in the fact that I can write R&B, Hip Hop or Pop.  I want people to understand that I am a versatile being.  I don’t want to be pigeonholed.  I don’t want to be in a box.  If I had to be a little extreme to climb out of that box, then that’s what I had to do.

G. Valentino Ball: On In A Perfect World… you came from a very vulnerable place. With this album it seems like you’re going in a different direction.  What are the differences between the two projects?

Keri Hilson: I’d say In A Perfect World I was probably a lot more vulnerable, a lot more insecure.  This time around I wanted to show the more confident side because I’m realizing how much women need this.  In my travels when I meet people and I sit down and talk with my girlfriends, I realize there are a lot of single, successful unhappy women out there.  I’m not saying we need a man to make us happy but I’m saying there are those who want to be in a relationship.  We’re all emotional creatures.  We all want to be loved.  I felt like “Turnin’ Me On” was the most impactful song from my last album as far as the people I’ve encountered.

G. Valentino Ball: Really?  What do you think resonated with people?

Keri Hilson: Women were like, “Yes! Finally someone is saying how we really feel about guys invading our space or just coming off wrong in the first place.  How are they supposed to come back from that and expect something real?”  I felt the need this time to speak for women.  And I think what people liked about the vulnerable records on In A Perfect World is the fact that I spoke the way we felt.  Records like “Intuition,” “Tell ‘Em The Truth,” these aren’t things they are used to hearing artists talk about.  In “Tell ‘Em The Truth” I did something wrong in a relationship.  Most women do music to paint themselves perfect.  I didn’t want to do that.  I knew that’s not everyone’s story.  There’s some women on the other side of the fence who have done wrong.  I just want to talk about what we really really say.  I think the difference is that I am showing a stronger side of me.  I’m multifaceted.  I’m multidimensional.  I’m complex.  I’m a woman.  This time around I am showing a little more strength. But, we do have the humble, emotional side of Keri Hilson as well.

The singles represent the more confident side.  I want to empower women.  Like starting with my single from this album, “Breaking Point” it’s the same women.  Even though people don’t see the connect, I will make the connect for them.  “Breaking Point” is made to empower women to get out of a bad situation.  To understand you don’t have to tolerate this.  That empowers women.  “Pretty Girl Rock” is saying no matter what anyone says about you, no matter how much ridicule you may be faced with, you are beautiful.  Don’t let anyone tell you different.  And “The Way You Love Me” is like take control of your sexuality.  Be who you are going to be and make no apologies.  Its great to see a woman as free.  I’m not an object in someone else’s video.  It’s me saying this. It’s me doing this.

G. Valentino Ball: The new single Pretty Girl Rock feels like the female empowerment songs of a group like TLC.  Were they a big inspiration for the song and the album?

Keri Hilson: Absolutely! “Pretty Girl Rock” might have been like latter TLC.  Think of the first TLC with the controversial condoms all over their bodies.  For that time that was very controversial.  The visual was promoting safe sex but what they were talking about was “If I need it in the morning or the middle of the night/I aint too proud to beg”, you know.  I need it. I want it.  That was taking a very masculine approach.  For that time it was very different.  They were dressed like boys.  There are women who think like that.  There are women who feel like that.  But, it wasn’t without the control factor.  And, I think that’s what a lot of women gravitated towards and related to TLC.  Think of Janet Jackson.  Think of Madonna.  Even recently think of Lady Gaga or Christina Aguilera.  Those women took control of their sexuality and overcame the boxes that society placed on them. But, that didn’t come without ridicule or criticism.  They were called raunchy for a minute.  It was unruly for that time. I’m not saying that I am that stature of an artist; I would obviously like to be.  I think if more women see this feminine energy, visually, emotionally, sonically, they will learn to understand.  Even if it shocks them right now in this moment.

G. Valentino Ball: When you got the call that you were going to be in VH1 Divas, what came to mind?

Keri Hilson: It’s an honor.  But, then when they told me about the troops and how we were supporting them I completely removed myself out of it.  I was more honored to do that.  And, the soldiers confirmed that for me.  They were like, “Thank you so much for doing this.  Not a lot of artists take time from their schedules to come see us.”  That confirmed for me how happy I was to do something like this.

G. Valentino Ball: I think that writing a great song is an incredibly elusive talent.  What do you think prepared you or nurtured that talent?

Keri Hilson: It kind of happened by accident. I was taking piano lessons.  I always loved to sing but I never really had written a full song.  I had a piano teacher. But, piano for me contained a lot of math and a lot of correctness.  I liked to create.  I don’t like someone telling me I’m right or wrong.   I valued the artistic expression as I do now, even then.  Recital came up and I sort of manipulated him to play while I sang.  So, he is like “You don’t know how to play a full song but I will let you sing.  You have to play as well. You have to compose the music and write it in its entirety.”  Which I did do.  I wrote the song and performed that for the recital at twelve years old.  My mother knew someone with a recording studio who could slide me into someone else’s session at the end of the night.  They allowed me to go in.  I vocal produced.  I played the music and recorded it.

FM:  Happy Mother’s Day!  We at Flaimahmy are very honored that you took the time out of your busy schedule to give us this interview today!  We really appreciate it.

FM:  Tell us a little about your childhood.  You’ve stated that your mom “poured extra love” on you because she grew up without her mom.  You met your dad for the first time when you were twenty-five.  How has this affected you?

RT:  No, she had a mom, her grandmother, my big mama raised my mom.  So she had a mom who was better than her mom.  She did have a mommy.

FM:  Yes.  You said that she poured extra love on you.

RT:  Oh, yeah, yeah, she did.  She wanted to make sure that I felt loved all the time and she did an amazing job with that.  I was spoiled with love, not with material things, but with love and affection from my mommy.

FM:  You said that you met your dad for the first time when you were twenty-five.  How has that affected your life?

RT:  I felt closure.  Other than that everything was the same because I always wanted to know my father and I’m glad I met him.  I think everybody deserves to know their parents whether their parents abandoned them or gave them up for adoption or whatever it is.  I think you should know your background.  That is very very important.

FM:  You were a dancer before you joined TLC.  Do you enjoy dancing equally as much as singing?

RT:  Yes, I do.

FM:  You are a beautiful and talented woman.  Do you believe that you’ve ever been taken less seriously in the music industry because of your looks?

RT:  No, not because of looks but maybe because I’m a woman and a black woman.  Not because of looks.  When you are a woman, period, it’s just a lot harder.  You have to prove yourself a lot more than a man does and definitely a lot more than Caucasian women.  I don’t mean it in a bad way.  I’m not putting anybody down.  I’m just saying it’s very hard for black women.  It just is.

FM:  If you had to choose between beauty or talent, which would you pick?

RT:  Beauty…laughter from both.

FM:  Why?…more laughter from both.

RT:  I mean, we can all look around.  Unfortunately, a lot of people are successful because of their beauty.  They don’t have a lot of talent.  It can be in any business; I’m not talking just about the entertainment business.  I’m talking about anywhere.  Sometimes a pretty face can take you a lot further than brains.  It’s terrible but that’s the world we live in.

FM:  You and Dallas Austin have a son, Tron.  How difficult is it being a working mom and a celebrity mom at that?

RT:  It’s challenging, but my focus is always my son anyway so it doesn’t really get that hard for me.

FM:   If there is a difference of opinion about a  parenting issue, how do you and Dallas come to a resolution?

RT:  Well, it helps because we don’t want to be together…laughter. I think most people have issues because somebody still wants to be with the other person and unfortunately they don’t get along and the kid suffers.  Thank God we don’t have that problem and Dallas trusts my judgment as a mommy.  He knows how much I love being a mother.  I don’t have any issues with him.

FM:  That’s great.  That’s awesome.  A lot of  single moms and single dads have a hard time co-parenting.  That’s great that you are doing it together and not having any issues.

RT:  Yes, that’s a blessing actually.

FM:  Is your son interested in the music industry and would you like for him to become a part of it since both of his parents are superstars in the industry?

RT”  Well, first off whatever it is Tron wants to do I would support it.  As a parent you’re supposed to check out all the talent or the gifts that God has given your child and just try to nurture all of them because you don’t know which one will be their career choice.  But, I am really happy to say that Tron is really into music and  just entertainment period.  He plays drums; he’s learning to play the guitar and it comes real natural for him.  It is not hard for him like it is for some of the other kids.  He definitely has a gift there.  He’s very funny and witty.  His timing is real good.  He’s crazy to see, I’m like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it.”  I’m not grooming him to be that way; it’s totally his personality.

FM:  He has a natural talent.

RT:  Yes, he does.  He really does.

FM:  You have stated how important it is for you to produce music that is uplifting, that provides a message of self-esteem for girls, that shows respect.  Is the music industry receptive of that from you?

RT:  Well, yeah.  It’s definitely been receptive to TLC.  That’s all I know.

FM:  In your opinion what is the biggest change in the music industry in the last ten years?

RT:  Lyrics.  The lyrical content.  People aren’t talking about anything anymore.  Some people are, but a very very small percentage of people are.  That is the difference and I think that is very sad because when you’re feeling some kind of way, whether it’s up or down, everybody can grab that song or put that song on that makes them feel better.  You’ll choose to listen to a CD over watching a movie.  Music is very very powerful and I think that the world is losing that.  You have a hard day at work, it’s like, ok, what song are you going to put in, unless you go with something old school.  I just think that people are losing that creativity.  I don’t even think that they’re losing it; they’re not exercising it because it’s there, I do believe it’s there.  But, they’re not doing anything with it.

FM:  Do you think that the cuts in music and art programs in schools have had an affect on the music industry?

RT:  No, I don’t think that’s it because I don’t remember having stuff like that when I was in school.  I think it is what radio is choosing to play; it’s what you are hearing.  I think really what’s going on is that the beats are so hot, the beat catches you but the lyrics don’t.  They don’t connect with you.  They definitely don’t connect with me.  I think the music that they are allowing to be played on the radio and television programs, even the cartoons that they are ok with, are just unbelievable to me.

FM:  Do you allow your son to listen to the radio or watch…

RT:  No.  I monitor everything he listens to and what he watches.

FM:  I know when I interviewed T-Boz she said her daughter is not allowed to watch BET.

RT:  I’m not into letting him watch a lot of that stuff either, not just BET, but videos period because most of the videos are just not appropriate for kids to watch.

FM:  You have a reality show on VH1 called ”What Chilli Wants,” it comes on tonight of course, in which you are searching for Mr. Right.  You’ve been involved in some serious relationships, Dallas Austin, Usher, and Floyd Mayweather, for example.

RT:  No. Wait, wait, wait.

FM:  Ok, maybe not Floyd.

RT:  Floyd and I have never been in a relationship.  We’re just friends.

FM:  Ok.  We have to watch and see but if you should meet the person that you really want to be with and you’re interested in, on the show, would you keep a low profile in that relationship since you’ve had such high profile relationships before?

RT:  Well, I just think that once people know who you are, I don’t care who you’re with, because you’re not going to hide to go to the movies.  It just gets out.  Sometimes there is nothing you can do.  Really, my relationship with Usher was the only high profile relationship because that’s the only one that you saw.  Most people didn’t really know about me and Dallas and when we were together the media wasn’t crazy the way it is now.  People kind of cared what was going on but now it’s like everything is a big deal.  A lot of times you could be hanging out with just a friend, I mean really truly a friend and the next thing you know, that’s the person you’re dating and you can say all day long that it’s not true, it’s not true, but the negative stuff is like such a virus and it travels and it sticks, unfortunately.  That’s the part I hate.

FM:  Nowadays, if you’re famous and you’re seen out with someone, it is assumed that you’re automatically dating.  Do you think that people who are already famous, like yourself, who have been in the business for a long time, would prefer it as it used to be where not so much attention was paid and you had more privacy?  Or, do you think the overwhelming media curiosity feeds an environment where people want to be famous just to be in the spotlight?

RT:  That’s a two part question.  I’ll say that I’d rather it be not a big deal, do you know what I mean?  Because, I hate that every little thing, whether it’s true or not, is printed.  People don’t even do their research to make sure it’s true and they just put it all out.  Then, you do have a lot of people who want that and most of those people in my opinion aren’t celebrities.  These people will do whatever to get on tv and get people to start talking.

FM:  I am so impressed at how great a shape you are in?  Do you have an exercise regimen?

RT:  Well, it starts with genetics; I thank God for good genes, one.  And, two, I work out three to four times a week.  I eat well.  I don’t eat a lot of sweets.  I definitely don’t eat a lot of breads and stuff like that, stuff that will stick to you.  I eat stuff that is going to leave…laughter…as we all should.  I exercise and just take care of myself.  This is my thing.  First of all, I don’t understand why any man, unless there is an illness, ok?  I’m not talking about people like that.  If there is a medical problem you cannot help that.  That’s totally different.  I’m talking about people who are perfectly fine healthwise.  I don’t understand a man with a pot belly; I don’t get it.  When Crystal, my publicist and I are together, I point them out, I say, “Look at that.”   I don’t get it because men don’t have babies.  They don’t have periods.  They don’t go through the change.  Their metabolism doesn’t slow down the way ours does.  I don’t get it; I do not understand any man who does not have a medical issue because I don’t want any problems when you put this out; I don’t get that.  If you want to be in good shape then you will be in good shape.  It becomes a way of life for you.  It’s so easy to just get out of shape and people, especially some women, say, “Girl, I’ve still got that baby weight”…and that baby is six!  No, that’s not baby weight.  Stop blaming it on the poor baby.  You just have to want it.  You have to want to be healthy and you have to want to be in the best shape you can possibly be in and all I think about is, I have health insurance but I don’t want to have to use it all the time.   You want to stay out of the doctor’s office.  Who wants to cause yourself to have a disease because you’re eating all of that crazy stuff?  With the internet we’re so privy to information that we can read upon everything.  Knowledge is key and it is out there.  No excuses.

FM:  Do you have a life philosophy?

RT:  Girl, I’ve got a lot.  There’s another list for you.  I guess for me, I just feel like…I don’t know…what is my life philosophy?  It’s hard because I have so many different sayings.  It just depends on the subject.  I have a philosophy for everything, I think.

FM:  One little one that you would like to share with the readers?

RT:  Well, always be humble.  Be nice.  If you are humble and nice it takes you a long way in life, it really does.  People remember nice people.  You also remember sh…ty people too and you don’t ever want to deal with those people again.  But, nice people, you always want to do something good for them and you’ll remember them and it just pays to be a good person.

FM:  I already know that you are a Fly Mommy and we at Flaimahmy consider you to be a Fly Mommy.  What, in your own words, makes you a Fly Mommy?

RT:  What makes me a Fly Mommy?  Well, I’ll think about what Tron would say…because I’m fun.  I’m a fun mommy so that makes me a Fly Mommy.  I’m not one of those uptight mommies.  I mean I have my rules and regulations so I don’t play.  But, I am a lot of fun.  I have a really fun time with my son.

FM:  Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

RT:  Well, just keep watching, “What Chilli Wants.”  And, keep your standards.  Always make out your list.  Your list may not be as long as mine; I’ve lived a bit.  I’ve still got a long way to go.  Once you really know who you are and you know your worth then you’ll have a list.  Know your worth.  Get your list together and be patient for that good man.