Keri Hilson Vs. Beyoncé Reflected A Fan War Gone Overboard
While many could argue that fan support is what makes the music industry go round, there’s also something to be said about the damage done when fans choose to attack. There’s probably no greater example of this quite like the career-altering beef between Keri Hilson and Beyoncé, spearheaded mostly towards the former by fans of the latter.
As Hilson prepares to release her first album in 15 years with We Need To Talk, she decided to open up more about the remix in question that “turned on” much of the downfall she’s admittedly faced for the better part of almost two decades.
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Titled “Turnin’ Me Off” (seen above) as an adverse remix to Keri’s 2008 debut single, “Turnin’ Me On,” the song was immediately billed as a diss towards both Beyoncé and Ciara due to the brazen line, “Your vision cloudy if you think that you’re the best / You can dance, she can sing, but she need to move it to the [left].” Another clue to who her targets might’ve been appeared in the follow-up jab that states, “I been puttin you on, just check the credits ho / And if you want me you can find me in the Decatur ho,” based on writing the Goodies album cut, “Ooh Baby,” in addition to Usher’s “Love in This Club Part II” which features the “Single Ladies” superstar.
Take a look below at what Keri recently told PEOPLE in regards to how things got misunderstood:
“Produced by Polow da Don and Danja, the remix was recorded shortly after Hilson, then in her mid-20s, wrapped a concert tour. The longtime songwriter recalls showing up to the studio ready to write a new verse for ‘Turnin’ Me On.’ However, she says, ‘I get there, and one had been written for me already.’
Hilson recalls someone on the creative team wanting to ‘garner attention’ with the remix. ‘It didn’t matter if that was negative or positive, and calls were made that twisted my arm into doing something that I never wanted to do,’ she explains. ‘I never wanted to record it. I definitely never wanted it to come out.’
And the lyrics certainly don’t represent how she feels about Beyoncé. ‘I’ve been a fan of hers for a very long time,’ says Hilson. ‘They’re not my words, but I ate it, and I protected people, and I paid for it.’
After the remix surfaced online, fans began pitting the two women against one another, with many claiming the diss caused Hilson’s career to decline — despite her scoring several other hits afterward, including ‘Knock You Down’ and ‘Pretty Girl Rock.’”
Aside from name-dropping producers Polow da Don and Timbaland during the press run, Hilson initially chose to stay mum in regards to who that “someone” was that wanted to “garner attention.” Thickening the plot even further though, singer/songwriter Ester Dean stepped up to confirm that it was her who wrote the infamous bars in question. You can read her lengthy public response in full via Instagram below:
It would be easy to blame this whole situation on the writers and producers, or even industry pressures on female artists specifically to be the best overall. However, a deeper issue that should be looked at is how far many have let themselves get out of hand when it comes to showing true fandom. Hilson being too ashamed to even make music out of fear of being attacked by bumblebee emojis while promoting on social media, or constantly having to debunk the longstanding rumor that she had Beyoncé CDs thrown at her, can be damaging to anyone’s mental health. As for Beyoncé herself, an artist revered for humbleness in relation to her global success, we don’t think any of this is what she would’ve wanted to reflect on the BeyHive in the least bit.
Keep scrolling to see how the convo surrounding Keri Hilson and her Beyoncé diss heard around the industry 15 years ago is continuing today over on social media:
1. i think its a bit revisionist to make it seem like keri hilson’s turnin me on remix/beyonce diss ended her career. her next single knock you down was a top 3 billboard hit and she had a string of other songs that charted like pretty girl rock wayyy after the diss took place.
i think its a bit revisionist to make it seem like keri hilson’s turnin me on remix/beyonce diss ended her career. her next single knock you down was a top 3 billboard hit and she had a string of other songs that charted like pretty girl rock wayyy after the diss took place.
— LOVE IS A LUXURY OUT NOW! (@langstonbleu) April 9, 2025
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2. Ester Dean wrote a diss about Beyoncé. Had Keri Hilson sing the diss. THEN went on and wrote songs for Beyoncé…she’s TOO messy
Ester Dean wrote a diss about Beyoncé. Had Keri Hilson sing the diss. THEN went on and wrote songs for Beyoncé…she’s TOO messy pic.twitter.com/depEmcD8gl
—
𝓛𝓐𝓜𝓞𝓤𝓝 𝓜
(@Prince_virgo914) April 9, 2025
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3. I feel bad for Keri, but I also feel bad for Beyoncé in all of this, fr, because why was she being attacked by any of them? She really doesn’t do shit to anybody, imagining being hated by so many of your peers just because you’re too talented.
I feel bad for Keri, but I also feel bad for Beyoncé in all of this, fr, because why was she being attacked by any of them? She really doesn’t do shit to anybody, imagining being hated by so many of your peers just because you’re too talented.
— Raymonte (@BDTRELILBROTHER) April 10, 2025
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4. Shouldn’t Keri be the one sending flowers to Beyoncé or have you guys forgotten Beyoncé is a human being? This lady had 15 years to apologize privately but waited until her comeback album to go to the press and do all this, how convenient.
Shouldn’t Keri be the one sending flowers to Beyoncé or have you guys forgotten Beyoncé is a human being?
This lady had 15 years to apologize privately but waited until her comeback album to go to the press and do all this, how convenient.
This is just her rollout, stop. https://t.co/xGy0ln31a7
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(@ForthoughtsT) April 11, 2025
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5. And while Keri said Polow Da Don forced her to record it. Beyoncé waited, she watched the R&B girls try it. She brought out the AK 47 with Bow Down/I Been On. But not only did she come at necks, Polow Da Don helped produce it. Talk about a checkmate. I kno Keri gagged 
And while Keri said Polow Da Don forced her to record it. Beyoncé waited, she watched the R&B girls try it. She brought out the AK 47 with Bow Down/I Been On. But not only did she come at necks, Polow Da Don helped produce it. Talk about a checkmate. I kno Keri gagged
— DameDashBK Hold ‘Em (@DameDashBEYk) April 10, 2025
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6. I think the Behive and Beyonce need to forgive Keri Hilson now. Just for world peace.
I think the Behive and Beyonce need to forgive Keri Hilson now. Just for world peace.
— Zimanté (@ZMjokozeli) April 11, 2025
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7. Im not even a huge beyonce or Keri hilson fan but Ester Dean is pissing me clean tf off! I can tell what type of person she is!
Im not even a huge beyonce or Keri hilson fan but Ester Dean is pissing me clean tf off! I can tell what type of person she is! pic.twitter.com/K6vAzB3zcS
— My moms missed abortion appointment (@JourneyskyyDean) April 9, 2025
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8. Keri Hilson was dissing Beyoncé months before “Turning Me On RMX” came out. This was late 2008 when Usher replaced her w/Beyoncé on “Love In this Club pt 2,” Keri was shading her on Atlanta radio.
Keri Hilson was dissing Beyoncé months before “Turning Me On RMX” came out. This was late 2008 when Usher replaced her w/Beyoncé on “Love In this Club pt 2,” Keri was shading her on Atlanta radio.
— JD VANCE HAS A DEI WIFE
(@TweetRashad) April 10, 2025
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9. Beyoncé was going through miscarriages, that’s why people need to watch what they say you never know what a person going through. And that’s why Keri is where she is now.
Beyoncé was going through miscarriages, that’s why people need to watch what they say you never know what a person going through. And that’s why Keri is where she is now. https://t.co/rW2z9O93Lp
— Shayla B. (@CaLAfornia_Made) April 10, 2025
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10. I feel like in another universe Keri Hilton and Beyoncé could’ve made a good song together
I feel like in another universe Keri Hilton and Beyoncé could’ve made a good song together
— damn Africa what happened (@need4sneed) April 11, 2025
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