Kierra Kiki Sheard - This Is Me

Kiki Sheard took the Gospel world by storm two years ago with her confident, R&B-laced debut album, immediately thrusting her into the spotlight as one of the bright new stars of Gospel.  So there was a lot of anticipation for her sophomore disc, and she was teamed with some of the biggest producers in Gospel to make it happen.  However, the title, This is Me, makes the clear statement that Kiki is no longer a girl singer, but is making her statement as a maturing artist.

The lion's share of the production on This is Me work falls on Fred Jerkins, and his work is solid.  However it is the contributions by PAJAM (with guest vocals by PAJAM member J Moss) and Warryn Campbell (writing with his wife and sister-in-law, Erica and Tina Campbell, a.k.a. Mary Mary) that are the album's highlights.  Campbell's "You" is an upbeat, radio-ready cut, and "Yes" is just as engaging.  And PAJAM's "Wrong Things" is a gutsy modern R&B cut that hits a nerve for many teens, speaking of making right decisions to avoid becoming a "statistic."  Sheard is still finding herself as a songwriter, but takes a major step forward - particularly as a lyricist -- on the new disc, as on cuts like "Hear This" she writes powerful words about the struggle of a faithful, yet imperfect, young woman. 

Kiki Sheard has matured from a girl to a young woman in the two years since I Owe You, and This Is Me, while not all as uniformly infectious as her debut, is nonetheless enjoyable and successfully serves as the transition album that takes her from being a teen star to being an adult Gospel force.  Recommended.

CR