Kierra Sheard
| Kierra Sheard | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kierra Valencia Sheard |
| Also known as | Kiki |
| Born | June 20, 1987 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Urban Gospel, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Actress, ''Sunday Best'' (TV Series) Judge, Fashion Designer & CEO of Eleven60 |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | EMI Gospel, Karew Records |
| Associated acts |
Karen Clark Sheard Mary Mary The Clark Sisters Tasha Cobbs |
| Website | www |
Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard (born June 20, 1987 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American gospel singer and radio host. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard (member of gospel singing group The Clark Sisters) and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark. Sheard portrayed Litha in the 2010 Christian-drama-film Preacher's Kid. After appearing on her mother's albums, Sheard broke to the music scene with the release of her debut album I Owe You in 2004. Her hit single "You Don't Know", was written about her mother's bout with an almost fatal blood clot.
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. At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Bishop J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts, executing high and fast melismata, riffs, runs, and deep, throaty growls sometimes referred to as "squalls" (the latter is prominently displayed on "Done Did It", a traditional gospel leaning track from her album I Owe You).
Sheard made her professional stage debut at the age of 10 performing on two tracks on her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. One of those songs was "The Will Of God", penned by Evangelist Richard "Mr. Clean" White as the standout closing track. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed and matured her skills as a performer and vocalist. Sheard started singing as a background vocalist for her mother, her aunt Dorinda Clark-Cole, and The Clark Sisters. In 2002, Sheard was featured on her aunt Dorinda's self-titled debut album. The following year, she performed two tracks again on her mothers' third album, The Heavens Are Telling. On The Heavens Are Telling, she was featured with her mother on a popular cover of Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat). In 2003, EMI Gospel won a bidding war between several record companies to sign Sheard to her first recording contract.
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