Keri Hilson: The Way She Is

Keri Hilson is like, "I have America's toughest job." That's not a direct quote, but I bet when people text message her and say, "What's good, Keri?" she says, "I have America's toughest job." Keri Hilson is a songwriter, which in and of itself, is like being an ice trucker (creatively speaking). You're sliding all over the place, trying to keep things straight and trying to deliver on deadline (I can't believe I threaded the needle on that simile). Never one to duck a challenge, Hilson has compounded the already daunting task of writing songs by making Britney Spears sound chemically balanced and making Diddy sound like he has a heart.

With tracks like Spears' "Break the Ice" and "Gimme More" and Combs' ballad "After Love," Hilson proved she can handle trancey R&B and emotional heavy lifting, respectively ("After Love" might be her best hook).

Her writing credits include Danity Kane's "Right Now," (which sounds like vaguely horny female Terminator over some nice pianos) and Ciara's "Ooh Boy" (one of her best pre-"Promise" tracks).

Now, she's going into business for herself, with her debut solo album In a Perfect World, due out in November. Check her out live, performing her new single, "Energy," on Yahoo Music's Who's Next? And dive into the playlist for a sample of her songwriting talents.