Keri Lynn Hilson is an American singer-songwriter and actress from Decatur, Georgia. She began her musical career in 2002 as a songwriter and backing vocalist for various artists, including Britney Spears, Usher, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige. In 2004, she joined the songwriting-production group The Clutch and made her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with Xzibit's single "Hey Now (Mean Muggin).