Legendary Keri Hilson gives an inspiring talk to Kenya High School students

Students at Kenya High School were treated to once in a lifetime experience by a rare visit from American singer and international artist Keri Hilson.

Last minute changes to her itinerary made the surprise visit sweeter with this evident from the girls' faces  as they  eagerly waited for the famous musician to make her way to the podium.

The excitement  grew the minute as her bodyguards went into the hall first through the backstage giving way to a jovial Keri, it was clear that this was a moment the girls could not wait for.

The Energy hit maker was welcomed by a rapturous outburst from the awaiting students and for a moment, words escaped her mouth.

“Mambo vipi?” The clearly flattered Keri finally found her voice. “Thank you all, I’m excited to be here, you must be one of the best schools in the country”, she added to further cheers by her now partially calmed down audience.

The sassy musician told the keenly listening students that they can be whoever they want to be once they know what they are passionate about and start working towards it. “I want you to know that it is okay if you have not yet known what your talents are right now, you still have time to figure it out,” she said.

As she strolled across the podium with ecstasy, Keri explained how her parents influenced her as a child to help her become the superstar she is, saying that she got her singing roots from her father. “He sang in a quartet and had a few records that he would make me listen to so that I could develop my music skills.”

Additionally, she explained the influence her mother had on her being her biggest source of motivation and role model saying, “Education is what she gave to me and I want to tell you that no matter what you want to do or become in future, you still need to be educated.”

As she continued her pep talk with aplomb, she cautioned the girls not to be carried away by things they see other celebrities do on social media as “they only show you the good part about their lives, they cannot tell you their worst moments.”

Alluding to her personal experience with depression, she said “everyone has their own low moments, there are times I have felt lonely and that is okay because I am a normal person and I have feelings like anyone else. Don’t buy everything you see people post on social media.”

As Keri and the girls sang to one of her hit songs Pretty Girl Rock towards the end of the session, one thing I learned is that this was a day that was hard not to remember for everyone that sat or stood in that packed hall.

Keri Hilson will be performing live this Friday at a concert dubbed Terminal Music Weekend at the KICC alongside other select international and local artists.