Keri Hilson has never really quite done it for me, but her new single is turning the tide in her favor. “Pretty Girl Rock” is the second single taken from her upcoming sophomore album, No Boys Allowed, out on December 21.
First, “Pretty Girl Rock” is decidedly more pop than Hilson’s previous songs, even though I suggest it’s best to overlook the lyrics while enjoying the hooks. Second, the music video for “Pretty Girl Rock” successfully captured my attention and made me appreciate the tune even more (just as all good music videos should do).
In the clip, directed by Joseph Kahn, Hilson stars as several African-American singers from different eras in music history. After starting with sepia-soaked nods to Josephine Baker and Dorothy Dandridge, she dresses up as the supremely gorgeous Diana Ross and disco diva Donna Summer, marches like Janet Jackson circa Rhythm Nation, and wraps up as T-Boz, part of the pajama-clad trio, TLC:
I assume Hilson’s final costume change in the video is meant to represent “current-day” her and not Whitney Houston when she was holed up in her “Heartbreak Hotel,” right? Still, that high point in music history should be considered if there’s ever a sequel.
Snag a free download of Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock” via iTunes, where it’s the Single Of The Week.
