This fact is made abundantly clear on her signature disk – I Owe You – a riveting display of vocal mastery challenged only by the production excellence unfurled by heavyweights such as Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary), Paul Allen and J Moss (Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole) Rodney Jerkins (Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston) and her brother, J. Drew.   It’s an impressive feat, considering that Kierra is barely 20, yet her vocal chops  are quickly drawing comparisons to an exclusive class of contemporaries that include Kim Burrell, Kelly Price and the mama, too – Karen Clark Sheard.     

On her world premiere release – I Owe You - Kierra Kiki Sheard strikes a delightful chord through eleven perfect tracks that are so well-crafted in arrangement, so skillfully produced in contemporary grooves, the album is well-deserving of attention and billing among chart-toppers today, regardless of genre.  Let’s take a closer look for evidence. 

The album gets off to a fun-enough start with You Don’t Know, a testimony by K.K. Sheard on the goodness of God.  This laidback groove by Rodney Jerkins leaves an open-door policy for Kiki to send her message with an adlib quality only Kierra could deliver.  Let Go, the dance-inducing delight is sheer hype gone mad…beats by “Baby Dub” are sure to bounce you right through the Pearly Gates in no time at all. 

On Church Nite, Kiki gives a play-by-play rundown of the week, as young Christians balance worldly affairs with keeping the armor of God in tact by getting their tail to church on time.  Paul “PDA” Allen & J Moss put their vintage PAJAM stamp on this chilling track that flows like butter.  Kiki, now warmed up, flaunts a little of that God-given talent with a few riffs and hollas on Closer, another new millennium jam / end-of-time treasure crafted by the dynamic duo – J Moss & Paul Allen. 

Praise Offering, perhaps the finest selection on the album, allows Kierra Sheard to enjoy her gift and relish in her element, as she sings the praises of her Savior in awesome fashion.  With a spirit and anointing that would make Dr. Mattie Moss Clark proud, Kierra unleashes the depth, power and versatility of her voice in an unforgettable five-minute span so well orchestrated by the PAJAM production team, you’re likely to lose your composure on the spot. 

On Sweet Thing, Miss Sheard gets dangerously cute with her tone and delivery on a sugar-coated syncopated selection designed to raise your senses and soul towards heaven.  Again, the producer, J. Drew, provides as squeaky-clean a track as anything ever to drop from Bad Boy or Rockafella.  On War, Kierra Kiki Sheard makes a lyrically compelling case to go to battle, for Christ-sake.  This Timbaland-esque track composed by both Kierra and J. Drew is hype-heavy with enough bumps and beats to wage holy war on the enemy in a minute.  After soaking in this gem, I personally came to the conclusion that the album was totally legit…ready to roll with the best on the market today. 

But the Jesus-party wasn’t over yet, as Kierra runs away another silky smooth selection, All I Am, produced by Warryn Campbell, which borrows from that heavenly hook first delivered by the SOS Band on the unforgettable track, Weekend Girl. Just sit back, close your eyes and enjoy this classic brought back to life with meaning and purpose. 

At this point in the album, Kierra puts on her COGIC hat and gloves and returns to the church sanctuary on Done Did It, a Sunday safe-haven, soul-seeking song, guaranteed to break stilettos and hardened hearts through a vocal assault only Kiki could unleash. 

The album neatly wraps up…well almost…on a soulful track called So Long, mellow enough music, where Miss Sheard makes an open confession that so many Christians can identify with…a yearning desire to return to that intimate relationship once shared with the Lord. 

Before farewell tidings are offered, innovator and multi-talented mortal Tonex lends his blossoming creative juices to the final track, more of that Nureau-mania designed to put an exclamation mark on an already potent project. 
 

I Owe You is truly an incredible debut release for this much talked-about artist, whose name and legacy carries so many expectations with it.  From label execs to Clark Sisters fans, from Motown residents to the entire Clark/Moss/Sheard household, everyone is praying for Kierra’s success.