GRAMMY® nominated vocalist Kierra Sheard will release KIKI’S MIX TAPE (EMI Gospel) on September 22, 2009.  Included on the project are 2 brand new songs, the lush and slow-grooving “Teach Me” and the church-girl-gets-her-rock-girl-on high-octane praise anthem “Sing To The Lord”. An EP comprised of 8 tracks, KIKI’S MIX TAPE is a vivid portrait of a young artist fully coming into her own.
 
The material on KIKI’S MIX TAPE spans Sheard’s dynamic young career, virtually documenting her artistic development from her explosive introduction as a solo artist in her own right via her 2004 debut smash single, the Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins-produced “You Don’t Know” to current radio hit “Love Like Crazy (Extended Mix)”, making several stops in between.  
 
“I love how this project shows how I’ve grown as an artist from my first single until now,” says Sheard of the release.  “I went on facebook and twitter to ask my fans what some of their favorites were that they wanted to see on the project that we could mix in with some remixes and new songs. I love the artwork, I love the concept and overall this project was just a lot of fun to put together.”
 
Sheard enjoyed letting her hair down and shifting into a bit of a different gear for the new song “Sing To The Lord”.  “I really like to jump around and have a good time when I praise God. We tend to put limits on ourselves when it comes to expression and I wanted to get outside all that with this song,” she says.  “I had so much fun with this song and can’t wait to do it live!”
 
Also included on KIKI’S MIX TAPE is a new remix of “Wave Your Banner (Monsta Mix)”, a special Tommy Sims-produced duet with vocalist Marcus Cole on the classic Donnie Hathaway-penned holiday favorite “This Christmas” and the futuristic-sounding urban aural assault of “I Want Back”, which was previously available only as an exclusive bonus track to fans who purchased Sheard’s last release, Bold! Right! Life! on iTunes.  
 
The words “spare time” are foreign to Sheard, and in between studio sessions and live concerts she has more than enough to keep her busy.  In addition to actively pursuing a degree in English at Wayne State University in her hometown of Detroit, she is working hard on the launch of her clothing line, MaMAJik™, in the spring of 2010.  More information about MaMAJik™ can be found at www.mamajik.com.
 
Another effort close to Sheard’s heart is her youth ministry initiative BRL (Bold! Right! Life!), which just held its second-annual youth conference in August 2009 in Detroit.  “My vision with BRL is to nurture and empower my generation both naturally and spiritually, and show them that it is entirely possible to be young, saved and still have a full, vibrant and fun life,” says Sheard of the BRL initiative. More information about BRL can be found at www.boldrightlife.com.
 
Sheard will also be making her big-screen debut alongside LeToya Luckett, Clifton Powell, Essence Atkins and others in the Warner Premier/Gener8xion Entertainment film “The Preacher’s Kid”, which hits theaters October 30, 2009.  More information about The Preacher’s Kid can be found at www.preacherskidfilm.com.
 
Fans can connect with Kierra Sheard online at myspace (www.myspace.com/kierrakikisheard), facebook and twitter (http://twitter.com/kierrasheard).  For more information, visit http://kierrasheard.emigospel.com.
 

Los Angeles, CA -- (October 9, 2008) -- Contemporary gospel artist Kierra Sheard will release her new CD, BOLD RIGHT LIFE, nationally on EMI Gospel on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.  A third-generation musical powerhouse, on BOLD RIGHT LIFE Sheard delivers the good-to-the-bone-gospel soul music epitomized by her kin, the famed Clark Sisters.

The 22-year old Detroit native - a Grammy-nominated artist and winner of both Stellar and Dove Awards, as well as a #1 Billboard ranking artist in the gospel music category - is thrilled about the new project.  Sheard's evolution as an artist and a young Christian woman is apparent on the new 11-track disc, which is infused with a grown-up style, a fresh, unique sound, and spiritual perspective that listeners of any age can relate to.  

"This is THE album for me," she said.  "I have never been so excited about a project.  This album is finally everything I wanted it to be.  I think I've come into my womanhood on this album and I have truly grown spiritually and naturally."

The feel-good CD boasts a collaboration with super hot producer Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell who has produced hits for a variety of popular contemporary artists including Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Brandy, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and others.   In addition, Sheard partnered with gospel producers Gerald Haddon, PAJAM and Asaph Ward, as well as her brother J Drew Sheard, Jr., who co-wrote and produced one of the album's hottest tracks, "Won't Hold Back."

One of the strongest offerings is the sweeping and classical lead single "Praise Him Now." The simple yet pure praise and worship ballad is a reflection of Kierra's growth.   Produced by PAJAM, Kierra says "it was just right … J. knew I was growing spiritually, so he gave me this song."

"My Boyfriend," is a funky pop-flavored song that talks about a relationship with Christ in a real and relatable way.  Straight from her personal experiences, Kierra drew inspiration from situations that almost all young women have to deal with - boyfriend drama.  Though boyfriend-girlfriend relationship problems are a right-of-passage into young adulthood, Sheard flips the script to offer a song that tells us above all else, it's our relationship with Jesus that really matters.

"I was talking with my cousin and one of my friends, both of whom were going through some things with their boyfriends," explained Kierra.  "I was sharing with them that they didn't have to keep putting themselves in the same situation, and by doing so, allowing them to get hurt.  We have to give ourselves to God … we can't love another person if we don't love ourselves.  Just because you are single, doesn't mean you're alone - it's the time to get to know God better.  Jesus is my boyfriend because He knows me inside and out."

A wholesome beauty, Sheard's evolution into womanhood also includes achieving a major weight loss the natural, old fashioned way -- through regular exercise and healthy eating.  Her year-long journey to shed 86 pounds inspired the new project.  BOLD RIGHT LIFE is filled with uplifting, dance-worthy beats that provide an equally appealing soundtrack for exercise, leisure or praise, encouraging listeners to get moving!   She hopes to set a positive example for others and demonstrate that 'saved' living is fun, rewarding and powerful.

"My new CD 'Bold Right Life' is full of love and power and energy and fun," said Sheard.  "All the things an ordinary person needs to go out and do something extraordinary!  I hope my music sets a fire in people to live and breathe life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.  Life may be hard sometimes but at the end of the day, life is good."

Kierra Sheard will tour nationally to promote the project.  Go to her MySpace page for tour updates at www.MySpace.com/KierraKiKiSheard.   BOLD RIGHT LIFE is available in stores everywhere and online.