Kierra Sheard

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Kierra Sheard
Sheard-Kelly in 2023
Sheard-Kelly in 2023
Background information
Birth nameKierra Valencia Sheard
Also known asKierra "Kiki" Sheard, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Princess of Gospel, Ki, Kiyoncé
Born (1987-06-20) June 20, 1987 (age 36)
OriginDetroit, MI
GenresUrban gospel, R&B, CCM
Occupation(s)Singer, Evangelist
Instrument(s)Vocals
DiscographyKierra Sheard discography
Years active1997–present
LabelsCapitol Christian Music Group, EMI Gospel, Motown Gospel, Karew Entertainment. RCA Inspiration
Websitewww.iamkierrasheard.com

Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly (born June 20, 1987) is an American gospel singer and evangelist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard and COGIC Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark. After appearing on her mother's (most notably, the seminal Finally Karen) and aunt's albums, Sheard debuted to the music scene with the release of her debut album I Owe You in 2004. Her hit single You Don't Know was inspired by her mother almost losing her life in 2001 to a fatal blood clot. Sheard portrayed her mother in the hit Lifetime movie, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel.

Early life[edit]

Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in the suburb of West Bloomfield, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the influences of her family, their faith, and their music.[1] At age 5, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father, Bishop J. Drew Sheard.

Music career[edit]

1997–2003: Early career[edit]

Sheard made her professional recording debut at the age of 9, on her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen (1997). The song "The Will Of God" won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance.[2] In the following years, Sheard performed as background vocalist for her mother, aunt Dorinda Clark-Cole and the Clark Sisters. In 2002, Sheard was featured on Clark-Cole's self-titled debut album. In 2003, she featured on her mother's third album, The Heavens Are Telling, on "You Loved Me" (a gospel cover of Jill Scott's "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)") and alongside J Moss on "Don't Change".[3][4] That same year, EMI Gospel won a bidding war among several record companies to sign Sheard.[5][3]

2004–2005: I Owe You[edit]

Her debut album I Owe You was released on September 7, 2004. The 11-track set included production and songwriting from Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, Sheard's cousin J Moss, and Tonéx.[5] The album also functioned as the production debut for her brother J Drew. With the release of I Owe You, Sheard became the first new artist in Billboard history to debut at number one on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[6]

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".[7] 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 the mainstream R&B charts and remained there for several weeks.[8][5]

2006–2007: This is Me[edit]

Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard readied her second album, This Is Me. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart when it was released on June 27, 2006.[9] A midtempo fan favorite, the Fred Jerkins III-produced "Why Me?" was chosen as the lead single for the album. Sheard 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.[10]

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 mother and 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[edit]

In 2008, Sheard featured on Mary Mary's crossover hit, "God in Me", from The Sound album. "God in Me" became Sheard's first appearance on the US Hot 100, where it peaked at number 68.[11] Furthermore, the single broke the Billboard record for the longest chart-run by a group and longest chart-run by a gospel song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[12] where it spent a total of 74 weeks and peaked at number 5.[13] "God in Me" was also a major hit on Billboard's Dance Club and Hot Gospel Songs charts, peaking at number one on both and spending 7 consecutive weeks atop the latter.[14][15] Further to this, "God in Me" was awarded for "Outstanding Song" at the 41st NAACP Image Awards.[12]

In October 2008, Sheard released her third album, Bold Right Life. Named after Sheard's youth organization in Detroit, the album was described by Billboard as a 'powerful mix of R&B/hip-hop, pop, rock and traditional gospel' which 'shifts from a hot uptempo beat (opener “Won’t Hold Back”) to pop (“My Boyfriend”) then to rock (“Invisible”) and traditional (“Praise Him Now”)'.[16] The album's two lead singles were "Praise Him Now" and "Won't Hold Back".[17] "Praise Him Now" peaked at number 7 on the US Hot Gospel Songs chart,[18] whilst "Love Like Crazy" became Sheard's second Japanese hit, peaking at number 7 on the Japan Hot 100.[19]

In January 2009, Sheard performed the Clark Sisters' "Jesus Is a Love Song" at the BMI Trailblazers Luncheon in honor of her aunt Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark.[20]

The same year, Sheard released a compilation, KiKi's Mixtape, on September 22, 2009.[21] KiKi's Mixtape included two new songs - “Sing to the Lord”, co-written by Kierra and described as 'a high-octane amalgam of rock, CCR and power pop' and a 'bold and bracing' cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" with Marcus Cole.[22]

2010–2013: Free and The Sheards[edit]

Sheard had a role in the film Preacher's Kid (starring platinum-selling R&B artist LeToya Luckett, Durrell Babbs, Clifton Powell, Gregory Alan Williams, and Sharif Atkins), which was released in theaters across the U.S. on January 29, 2010, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on May 4, 2010.

Sheard's fourth album, Free, was released on October 18, 2011. This was her first album on her family's gospel label, Karew Records (pronounced Kuh-Rue). Originally scheduled for a July 12, 2011 release, the album was leaked and subsequently pushed back and reformatted with a different track listing.[23] The album features Sheard's BRL (Bold Right Life) Choir.

On April 7, 2013, Sheard and her family debuted in a new BET reality series, The Sheards. The show is based on the lives of Sheard, her brother and producer J. Drew, and her parents, Grammy Award-winning Karen Clark Sheard and Pastor J. Drew Sheard Sr. Season 1 had a run of eight episodes, and it was announced on the BET Twitter account that Season 2 would debut in the fall of 2014.

2013–present: Graceland, Clark Sisters biopic and Kierra[edit]

Sheard-Kelly in 2019

Sheard released the single "Trumpets Blow" in 2013, which was followed by "2nd Win" in 2014, which peaked within the top 20 of Billboard's Top Gospel Songs chart.[18] Shortly after in 2014, her fifth album Graceland, was released on June 22, 2014. Graceland became her second top 40 appearance on the Billboard 200[24] and fourth number one on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[25] Graceland also earned Sheard a nomination for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year at the 30th Annual Stellar Awards.[26]

In 2020, a Lifetime biographical film, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel was released, starring Kierra Sheard as her mother Karen Clark-Sheard, which became the highest rated original movie release by Lifetime in four years.[27][28] The film's soundtrack, also starring Sheard, debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, where it remained in its second week.[29][30]

Following this, Sheard released her sixth album Kierra. Debuting at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart with 6,000 equivalent album units, it became her fifth chart-topping album, replacing Kanye West's Jesus is King which had held the number one spot for 6 months since November 9, 2019. Sheard co-wrote the entire album, which includes a mix of studio and live tracks recorded in her hometown, Detroit.[31] The album spawned 3 top 20 singles on the Hot Gospel Songs chart; "Don't Judge Me", "It Keeps Happening" and "Something Has To Break" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard), the latter peaking at number 5.[32][18]

In April 2021, Sheard was featured on actor and rapper, Nick Cannon's rendition of Fred Hammond's gospel classic, No Weapon.[33] In October 2021, Kierra's "Something Has to Break," featuring her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard, peaked at number one on the Hot Gospel Airplay chart, making it her fourth song to top the chart. Billboard explained, 'Kierra ties for the third-most Gospel Airplay No. 1s among women, dating to the chart's 2005 inception, matching Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Tamela Mann leads and shares the overall mark with Kirk Franklin (eight No. 1s), while Jekalyn Carr has notched five.'[34]

Personal life[edit]

Sheard is a graduate of Wayne State University (her father's alma mater) in Detroit, Michigan, where she received her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in psychology. 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.[citation needed] In 2013, Sheard began preaching at her father's church and others. In 2017, she was officially licensed in the COGIC as an evangelist.[35]

In June 2015, Sheard released the Fall/Winter collection of Eleven60,[36] which honors her inspiration, her mother, Karen Clark Sheard. Eleven60 is named for the month and year that Clark Sheard was born. Sheard has personally designed classic and refreshing looks for the professional curvy woman that is chic, sexy, bold and eclectic. She has crisscrossed the globe and absorbed the fashion trends of New York City, London, Paris, Tokyo and Seoul.

In 2020, after releasing 3 singles “Don’t Judge Me (ft. Missy Elliot)”, “It Keeps Happening”, and “Something has to Break (Ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, later her mother Karen Clark Sheard on the remix)” she released her live self-titled “KIERRA” produced by her brother and producer J. Drew Sheard.

On June 20, 2020, her 33rd birthday, Sheard became engaged to her fiancé Jordan Kelly. The two married in a private ceremony on December 12 of that same year.[37] [38]

In April 2021 Sheard's first Book titled "Big, Bold and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be" was released (A book for young teens and young adults)

In May 2023, Kelly's second book titled "The Vibes You Feel: What I've Learned About Life and Relationships Through The Holy Spirit" is set to be released.

Sheard and her husband announced in May 2023 that they were expecting their first child, a baby girl.[39]

Discography[edit]

Main article: Kierra Sheard discography

Awards[edit]

Dove Awards[edit]

Main article: Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Kierra Sheard has won 3 awards from 10 nominations.[40]

Year Nominated work Award Result
2005 "You Don't Know" Urban Recorded Song of the Year Won
2006 Just Until Urban Album of the Year Nominated
2007 This Is Me Won
"Why Me" Urban Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
2009 Bold Right Life Urban Album of the Year Nominated
2015 Graceland Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year Nominated
"Flaws" Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year Nominated
2020 KIERRA Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Nominated
"It Keeps Happening" Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
"Something Has To Break (Live)" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year Won

Grammy Awards[edit]

Main article: Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Kierra Sheard has received 3 nominations.[41]

Year Nominated work Award Result
2006 This Is Me Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album Nominated
2009 Bold Right Life Nominated
2021 Kierra Best Gospel Album Nominated
2024 "God is Good" Best Gospel Performance/Song Nominated

NAACP Image Awards[edit]

The NAACP Image Awards are presented by the NAACP. Kierra Sheard has received one award from four nominations.

Year Nominated work Award Result
2021 Kierra Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album Nominated
"Something Has To Break" Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song Nominated
2023 All Yours Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album Nominated
"All Yours" (featuring Anthony Brown) Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song Won

Stellar Awards[edit]

The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Kierra Sheard has received 6 awards from 16 nominations.

Year Nominated work Award Result
1999 "The Will of God" (Finally Karen) Children's Performance of the Year Won
2006 I Owe You Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year Won
Contemporary CD of the Year Nominated
"You Don't Know" Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year Nominated
2007 This Is Me Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
"This Is Me" Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year Nominated
2010 Bold Right Life Artist of the Year Nominated
Contemporary CD of the Year Nominated
Contemporary Female of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with The Clark Sisters and J. Moss) Special Event CD of the Year Won
2013 Free Contemporary Female of the Year Nominated
Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year Won
2015 Graceland Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2018 "Hang On" (with GEI) Song of the Year Nominated
2020 "Don't Judge Me" Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2021 Kierra Sheard Artist of the Year Nominated
Kierra Albernita Walker Female Artist of the Year Nominated
Contemporary Album of the Year Won
Contemporary Female Artist of the Year Nominated
"It Keeps Happening (Live)" Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year Nominated
"Something Has to Break (Live)" (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard) Song of the Year Won

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ James Christopher Monger. "Kierra "KiKi" Sheard Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  2. ^ "B&E: Kierra "Kiki" Sheard". Billboard. October 22, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  3. ^ a b "Sheard Spreads Out On Heavens". Billboard. November 29, 2003. p. 17. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Clark, Melanie. "GospelFlava.com - Reviews - Karen Clark Sheard (The Heavens Are Telling)". GospelFlava.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Venable, Malcom (December 8, 2008). "Kierra Sheard Lengthens a Family Lineage". BMI. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Charts". Billboard. September 25, 2004. p. 73. Retrieved April 26, 2020 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Kierra "KiKi" Sheard to be Kellogg's Gospel Sing Off Spokesperson & Judge". GospelCity.com. May 5, 2005. Archived from the original on April 23, 2007.
  8. ^ Justin Camacho (January 5, 2006). "'Kiki' Sheard Tops Japanese Radio, Receives 3 Stellar Nominations". The Christian Times.
  9. ^ "Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's 'This Is Me' debuts at #1". GospelCity.com. July 10, 2006. Archived from the original on September 5, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  10. ^ "49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006.
  11. ^
  12. ^ a b B., Bobby (February 22, 2010). "Mary Mary Breaks Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart Record". Spirit 1340 AM. Urban One. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  13. ^
  14. ^
  15. ^
  16. ^ Mitchell, Gail (November 5, 2008). "Kierra Sheard Makes 'Bold' Debut". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  17. ^ "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIERRA "KIKI" SHEARD TODAY!!!". Praise 94.5. Urban One. June 20, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c * For "You Don't Know": "Hot Gospel Songs Chart". Billboard. March 19, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  19. ^
  20. ^ "Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans Honored at 2009 Trailblazers Luncheon". BMI. January 16, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "Sheard, Kierra Kiki - KiKi's Mixtape - Amazon.com Music". Amazon Music. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  22. ^ Marovich, Bob (November 6, 2009). "Kierra Sheard – Kiki's Mixtape - The Journal of Gospel Music". The Journal of Gospel Music. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Kierra Sheard Reveals New Album Cover & Track-listing for FREE. | Human Magazine". Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  24. ^
  25. ^
  26. ^ Asker, Jim (January 13, 2015). "30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards List of Nominees". uGospel.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  27. ^ "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel" – via www.imdb.com.
  28. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (April 13, 2020). "'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Biopic Marks Highest-Rated Lifetime Movie In Four Years". Deadline. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  29. ^ "Top Gospel Albums Chart". Billboard). April 25, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  30. ^ "Top Gospel Albums Chart". Billboard). May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  31. ^ Asker, Jim (April 29, 2020). "Kierra Sheard Halts Kanye West's 6-Month Reign on Top Gospel Albums Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  32. ^ "Hot Gospel Songs Chart". Billboard. May 2, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  33. ^ "Nick Cannon Releases Gospel Single, "No Weapon" |Christian Post". April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021 – via christianpost.com.
  34. ^ Zellner, Xander (October 22, 2021). "Kierra & Karen Clark-Sheard Team Up Atop Gospel Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Billboard.com.
  35. ^ "Dorinda Clark Cole on Instagram: "Congrats to my Niece @kierrasheard on her Evangelist license and commitment to ecclesiastical ministry in our Church (COGIC) we are so proud of what God is doing with her. Let's congratulate her and encourage her as she takes this charge. God is Blessing our millennials and Placing them in place for the future of our Youth. Aunty Doe Doe is so Proud. Now you have join the Dressing like an Evangelist on First Sundays Only Thank God Lol🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😉"".
  36. ^ "Eleven60".
  37. ^ "'The Clark Sisters' Star Kierra Sheard is Engaged". December 6, 2020.
  38. ^ "Login • Instagram". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  39. ^ "Gospel Singer Kierra Sheard-Kelly is Having a Girl". May 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Past Winners". Dove Awards. Enter 'The Clark Sisters' into the 'Search:' field to see list of awards. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  41. ^ "Kierra Kiki Sheard Artist Profile". Retrieved October 31, 2020.

External links[edit]

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