Keri Hilson has the spotlight to herself. Sure, she collaborated with Chris Brown on "Graffiti" and has worked with R. Kelly and Britney Spears, but it's her debut album, "In a Perfect World ", that nabbed a Grammy nomination for best new artist. She talks with USA Today:

Q: You’ve collaborated with many artists and have mostly stayed in the background. Now you’re being recognized on your own. How does it feel?

A: When I heard my name called (during Grammy nominations), I felt
like a little girl again. My dream has always been to be a singer. My passion in songwriting comes from a need to express emotion and creativity. I was fortunate enough to have a few talented people recognize that and give me a chance to express it. Being behind the scenes helped me get to my ultimate goal of becoming a singer.

Q: What’s it like working with newsworthy musicians like R. Kelly and Chris Brown?

A: Clearly, R. Kelly and Chris Brown have something in common. Same thing with Britney (Spears, on 2007’s “Blackout” album). I knew that she did not want to expose how she really felt on every single song. When I worked with her on “Gimme More,” she didn’t want to talk about what she was going through. So I said: ‘OK, let’s escape. Let’s have a party. This is also what people appreciate you for.’ So I think it’s kind of the same thing with (Kelly and Brown). They’re not going to give you their innermost feelings, and we don’t have to ask that of every artist.

Q: So what kind of direction did you take with Brown and Kelly on their new projects?

A: Chris is poised to make a great comeback. And my work with R. Kelly is very sexual. It’s different for me. And I’m actually on the track “Number One” with him. These days, when I write for people, it turns into a feature.
I really do have the intentions of giving the song away. But it was great working with Kelly.

Q: Did you ever hesitate to work with either one of them?

A: You know, people ask me, was I leery to work again with Chris Brown? Or was I leery to work with R. Kelly? No, not at all. R. Kelly is a legend. To be able to sustain in this business, in this climate, for two decades is amazing. I strive for that. They were in a position where easily they could have hidden or just gave up. That goes to say how strong their passion is for this.

Q: And what does that do for you as an artist?

A: It’s inspiring. We all wake up and understand that this career could be very short-lived, and it is for a lot of us. It’s a constant survival of the fittest. And I’m blessed that I get a chance to work on a sophomore project.

Q: What’s it like working with newsworthy musicians like R. Kelly and Chris Brown?

A: Clearly, R. Kelly and Chris Brown have something in common. Same thing with Britney (Spears, on 2007’s “Blackout” album). I knew that she did not want to expose how she really felt on every single song. When I worked with her on “Gimme More,” she didn’t want to talk about what she was going through. So I said: ‘OK, let’s escape. Let’s have a party. This is also what people appreciate you for.’ So I think it’s kind of the same thing with (Kelly and Brown). They’re not going to give you their innermost feelings, and we don’t have to ask that of every artist.

Q: So what kind of direction did you take with Brown and Kelly on their new projects?

A: Chris is poised to make a great comeback. And my work with R. Kelly is very sexual. It’s different for me. And I’m actually on the track “Number One” with him. These days, when I write for people, it turns into a feature.
I really do have the intentions of giving the song away. But it was great working with Kelly.

Q: Did you ever hesitate to work with either one of them?

A: You know, people ask me, was I leery to work again with Chris Brown? Or was I leery to work with R. Kelly? No, not at all. R. Kelly is a legend. To be able to sustain in this business, in this climate, for two decades is amazing. I strive for that. They were in a position where easily they could have hidden or just gave up. That goes to say how strong their passion is for this.

Q: And what does that do for you as an artist?

A: It’s inspiring. We all wake up and understand that this career could be very short-lived, and it is for a lot of us. It’s a constant survival of the fittest. And I’m blessed that I get a chance to work on a sophomore project.