Much Love: Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock”

November 15th, 2010

When new music team member Manny (the brains behind our brilliant playlists) sent me the new Keri Hilson video this morning with the subject line, “I think you might like this,” I was a little wary. See since Ms. Keri first entered the pop radar a few years back, I’ve been waiting for Hilson to do something to propel her to the same R’n’B diva status as Beyoncé and Rihanna. Well, if this video is any indication, Keri’s next album might just get her to those coveted ranks.

“Pretty Girl Rock” finds Hilson giving props to the pretty girls of pop’s past. I may be a little biased since I grew up idolizing some of the artists Keri pays homage to in this clip but straight up, the video is dope. And as a music nerd, the best part was spotting all the pop culture throwbacks.

So let’s break it down by each notable era after the jump.

1920s – Josephine Baker
Keri starts off by channeling the late jazz singer and Harlem Renaissance figure, Josephine Baker. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of her, I had to Google that. While the nod to silent film made me think of N’Sync’s “Gone” (what? It’s a classic!), the opening is a fitting precursor to the legends coming up next.

1940s American Girl
I’ve got nothing to say about this all American set-up other than that it reminds me of another video by Mickey Mouse Club alumni: Christina Aguilera’s Candyman. Oh and Keri looks beautiful.

1960s – Diana Ross and the Supremes
It’s disco Keri baby! You can’t go through a timeline of historic music divas without name-checking Diana Ross and the Supremes. Love it.

1980s – Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation
Shut up! Alright Keri, you’ve officially won me over. This iconic video is arguably Janet’s best video to date and the leather military-chic look ruled the 80’s.

1990s – TLC’s Creep
Silk PJ’s! T-Boz’s cropped do’! Now, she’s just killing it. This is one of my all-time favourite videos from my favourite late-90’s girl group. Seriously, I used to put eyeliner under my eye and make people call me “Left Eye.”

2010 – Blonde bobbed Keri Hilson
The clip ends with a freshly bleached Hilson, subdued in a white-T singing to the camera. I dig it. OK Keri, you’ve got our attention. Watch out RiRi.

- Kathleen Newman-Bremang