College freshman Kierra “KiKi” Sheard is doing what most college students are doing this time of year – giving thanks for having made it through the first semester and readying for the start of the new semester following the holiday break. However, KiKi is anything but “typical,” having a #1 single on Japan’s radio charts! The EMI Gospel artist’s single, “Let Go” is #1 on both the overall/combined international and domestic radio charts in Japan and #5 on “Tokyo Hot 100” – the music chart for the largest pop radio station in Japan, J-Wave. “Let Go” is featured on Sheard’s remix CD, Just Until…, released in the summer of 2005 as a “bridge project” for fans waiting for the teen sensation’s next full-length CD.

In addition to her #1 status on Japanese radio, KiKi has been nominated for three 2006 Stellar Awards – “Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year,” “Urban Song of the Year” and “Contemporary CD of the Year”! The awards will be handed out during the 21st Annual Stellar Awards at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on January 21st. In between attending college courses and receiving award nominations, the busy teen’s schedule also includes time in the studio – KiKi is currently in the studio recording her untitled sophomore project, working once again with award-winning producer Darkchild as well as PJ Morton and Warryn Campbell, among others. Her sophomore release is scheduled to hit stores in spring 2006 with promotional tour dates planned in conjunction with the CD release.

Not only is Kierra gaining award recognition from the music industry, but from fellow music artists and press alike. International superstar Mariah Carey noted in an interview that Kiki was one of her favorite musical artists! In a CD review of Just Until…Xii Magazine writes, “Just Until…is one of those great CDs that makes you want to blast with the windows down.” The noted music industry publication Billboard Magazine selected KiKi as one of the “Faces To Watch 30 Under 30: Top Young Acts and Executives.”

It comes as no surprise that 18-year-old Kierra “KiKi” Sheard made history with her 2004 EMI Gospel debut, I Owe You, marking the first time in the history of the Soundscan era that a new Gospel artist debuted at number one on the Gospel sales charts. Her career follows a long-standing family commitment with Gospel music that began with Sheard’s grandmother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, president of the Church of God in Christ Music Department for 25 years and continues with her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard, and aunts -- the legendary Clark Sisters.

I Owe You earned KiKi her first Gospel Music Association Award (formerly the Dove Awards) for the Rodney Jerkins-produced single, “You Don’t Know,” which also received nominations for Soul Train and NAACP Awards in 2005. In addition to her award recognition, Kiki also served as a spokesperson and celebrity judge for the Kellogg’s Gospel Sing Off Youth Choir Competition. The company invited youth Gospel choirs from across the country to submit recordings, a total of 40 groups were selected for a semi-final competition held in regional contests around the country with the grand prizewinner having performed with KiKi during her set at Disney’s “Night of Joy“ in Orlando.

Look for more new music and exciting news from this talented and inspiring Gospel talent in 2006!

EMI Gospel
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI Gospel is a division of EMI Christian Music Group, the world's largest Christian music organization that also includes EMI CMG Label Group, EMI CMG Distribution and EMI CMG Publishing. It is part of EMI Group, the world's largest independent music company whose other U.S. labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Latin, Narada and Virgin Records.