Keri Hilson is back. After nearly 15 years out of the spotlight, the singer stopped by The Breakfast Club to talk about her return to music, the emotional toll of public backlash, and the truth behind the remix that many believed was aimed at Beyoncé.
During the interview, Hilson addressed the long-standing controversy surrounding the “Turnin’ Me On” remix, a track many assumed was a direct shot at Beyoncé. But according to Hilson, she didn’t write those lyrics and never wanted to record them.
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“It’s a regret,” she admitted. “But not in the way people think… I didn’t write that verse. I was in tears. I was adamant I didn’t want to do it.”
Hilson explained that she was touring with Lil Wayne at the time when producer Polow Da Don pushed her to record the remix. She said the version with the controversial lyrics was written by someone else in their camp, and she fought hard not to go through with it.
“He played it for me, and I was like, ‘I’m not saying that,’” she recalled. “I started writing my own version… but there was a lot of pressure. He said my album wouldn’t come out if I didn’t do it.”
The singer said she felt powerless in the moment. “I was super young. I felt I had no choice,” she said. “I’m still protecting everyone involved. I’ve been eating that for years.”
Hilson also spoke about how the backlash—including intense criticism from the BeyHive—contributed to a long stretch of depression and silence in her career.
Now, she’s moving forward. Her new single “Bae” is out, and her upcoming album “We Need to Talk” drops April 18. For the first time in a long time, she’s telling her own story.
“If I give myself grace now, it’s because I know I was doing the best I could at that time,” she said. “But I do wish I had fought harder.”
And for fans wondering if she’s truly at peace: “I’ve forgiven myself,” she said. “But I’ll never forget what that moment cost me.”
After the clip of Keri Hilson on the Breakfast Club went viral, fans began to point towards Ester Dean, the hit songwriter behind massive records like “Super Bass” and “Rude Boy,” accusing her of writing the diss.
Dean responded to one Instagram commenter, saying: “and did!! It was a hit!!!”
The irony in it is that Dean went on to collaborate with Beyonce on her album “4.”
