Singer Keri Hilson has opened up about her 2009 song, which was widely perceived as a diss aimed at Beyoncé, a controversy that significantly impacted her career.
In a recent interview on “The Breakfast Club,” Hilson expressed that the track “Turnin’ Me On (Remix)” remains one of her greatest regrets, though she clarified that she did not write the lyrics herself.
“It’s a regret, but not for the reasons people might think. I didn’t write that song; those aren’t my words,” Hilson revealed, according to Entertainment Weekly.
She explained that producer Polow da Don, who was collaborating with her at the time, pushed for a remix of the song. When Hilson entered the studio, she was confronted with lyrics that she felt uncomfortable performing.
“I went into the studio, and he urged me to listen to the verse. I immediately said, ‘I’m not going to say that.’ That was my stance,” Hilson recalled.
The controversial verses included lines like: “You think you’re the best, but you’re not / She can dance, she can sing, but she gotta move ‘to the left, to the left’ / She gotta have a baby and sit down, it’s fake…”
Hilson attempted to write her own version of the lyrics but felt intense pressure from Polow and his team.
“I was in tears; I didn’t want to do it. But I was told, ‘If you don’t do it, your album won’t come out.’ It was a direct threat to my career. At that age, I felt powerless and believed I had no choice,” she shared.
Although she recorded her own interpretation, the version with the contentious lyrics was released without her consent, which Hilson believes was part of a calculated move by the producer.
“I defended the producer and the songwriter, who later gained fame. I bore the brunt of it all, and I still carry that weight. It feels like a ‘mark of shame,’” Hilson emphasized.
Following the interview, singer and songwriter Ester Dean, known for her work in the movie “Pitch Perfect,” acknowledged her role as a co-writer of the lyrics and offered an apology.
“I wrote multiple versions of the lyrics for that song. The one that was chosen was one I wrote with Carey. Looking back, I realize it was immature, and it didn’t turn out well. I regret my involvement. Personal growth is significant, and this apology is heartfelt,” Dean posted on her Instagram account.
In closing, Hilson expressed her admiration for Beyoncé, stating, “I’m not afraid of her. I love her. I think she’s incredible. She’s one of the greatest artists of all time. I have always been and will continue to be a fan.”
