Contemporary gospel singer
Kierra "KiKi" Sheard was born into the genre. As the daughter of
Karen Clark-Sheard, founding member of
the Clark Sisters, and granddaughter of
Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, one of gospel's most influential and celebrated figures, "
KiKi" spent her formative years in Detroit surrounded by family, faith, and music. She sang in the choir as a young girl in the church where her father, Rev. J. Drew Sheard, preached, and at the age of nine appeared on the hit single "The Safest Place," a duet with her mother from the successful
Finally Karen record. At the age of 17 she released her debut album,
I Owe You, combining the worlds of gospel, hip-hop, and soul into a contemporary sound that's both reverent and forward-thinking. It was followed in 2006 by
This Is Me. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide