VIDEO: KERI HILSON ft. TIMBALAND - RETURN THE FAVOR
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Keri Hilson releases a video for her second single, “Return the Favor” featuring Timbaland. The single comes from Keri’s debut album, In A Perfect World…, slated to hit stores December 9th.
The clip was directed by Melina, who was responsible for Keri’s first single, “Energy,” as well as Solange’s “I Decided,” and also many of Beyonce’s anthology videos. Also, the video was choreographed by a good friend of mine, Sean Bankhead.








141 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
~*DaT MoDeL cHiiC*~
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
FIRST!!! I EFFIN LOVE KERI HILSON, NOT FEELIN THIS VERSION OF THE SONG THO SHE SHOULDA KEPT THE OTHER ONE
2.
Hope
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Like the Video
Didn’t really like her hair….
but it was iight
3.
NinaBelle
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
i saw it on 106 & park. this video is crazy wack! yes i said crazy wack.
her name definitely isnt Keri Originality Hilson.
too much faux Ciara and Faux Rihanna going on.
too many black girls cutting their hair n wearing it black.
its sum weird bandwagon.
first beyonce’s blonde, now rihanna’s rocker cut.
god, people find UR OWN NICHE~!!!
I do love u keri, good songwriter, but thas all, not an entertainer!
4.
BaddestJawnEva!
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
can somebody say rihannaish
5.
Lolo
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I like and I agree she shoulda kept the other version
6.
crys
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
i like the song but i think she stole scenes from others peoples video like nicole scherzinger from “i know what u like” the swimming scene rihanna “sos” the mirror scene and “shorty get loose” with the rest of..it
7.
crys
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
she stole scenes from other peoples video…
8.
Miko
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I really like Keri, she is so pretty and her style and body are on point. I like the beat can’t say i’m feeling the lyrics though……..
9.
buffyuna
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
lol Angel u know Brian is gonna have a fit for ur critisism….no matter how true they are lol! I feel you, this video was definetly a mash up of all the vids #6 said…plus the dancing scene reminded me of umbrellla. Oh and Im not feeling the song AT ALL. The way people were talking about her, I thought she was gonna have really heavy and lyrical slow jams that was gonna make her the “savior” of R&B. I must say Im dissapointed, but energy was a nice track so maybe she has better cuts on the album.
10.
shezzie
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
@7- i agree
i was thinking a little like rihanna- esp. the water part
she pulled an aaliyah dance move during that part too
11.
shezzie
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
i meant @4 (not 7)
12.
ja
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
this is why AIDS, STD’s, and teen pregancices are on the rise, and yall worried about how well she dancing and hair. But hey its the jam right (not serious).
13.
FIU09
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Is this a bad remke of umbrella/just fine? WTF
She is pretty but thats all!!!!
14.
ReBeL
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Poor Keri
15.
OKAY KAY KAY
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Same folks on here saying with ease “she stole this and that” are the same ones in beyonce snotty snatch saying that she is original. Just STFU already lol
16.
Corey
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Nice video song not so much, Its like A Ciara Promise Mixed in with GO GIRL minus the innovative Dancing.
17.
jjj (The Original JJJ)
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I really like it! I like the song too.
By the way….the mirror scene with her in the pink outfit; is a copy of part of Rihanna’s video for S.O.S….as soon as I saw that part I remembered Rihanna’s video for S.O.S.
18.
MiMia
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I personally love Keri and can’t wait for her album…she has beautiful voice. We all know many albums have a few tracks that we aren’t feeling. Lets just hope this is one of those. And truly it’s not that bad, just not something I can roll my windows down and blast to.
And I sorta dig the new hairstyle on her…change is good.
19.
hearty
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
i like her but not feeling her song and vedio…She would hve been better if she was orriginal….a copy cat of rihanna sos vedio..
20.
8baller
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
zzzzzZZZZZZZZ….
It looks like “Upgrade U” and “SOS” combined.
We gotta do better Keri. This song isnt hit material…
21.
Jammie
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Yeah # 18 I agree, Along with Ciara Go Girl/Promise.This looks like Rihanna Umbrella/SOS and touch of Beyonce Upgrade U.
Ciara Promise- the Mics up and down
Ciara Go Girl- the chair and sharp movements and in monitor and bit distorted.
Rihanna Umbrella- The Water dance scene, the box thing she is dancing in
Rihanna SOS- the mirror and almost identical pink outfit color
Beyonce Upgrade- Bey laying in the water.
Nice video song is ok at best.
22.
Peacekeeper00
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I like the song but the video is lacking originality. I feel like I’ve seen it before - a few times! She looks like a clone of all the females mentioned above.
23.
irrational rationalist
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
lmao at how this screams…
rihanna circa s.o.s.
rihanna circa umbrella
tamia circa stranger in my house/beyonce circa upgrade u
…but sexy nontheless
24.
EnaMeL
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
it’s like We need a resolution Pt.2 o no….
but i do love keri hilson, her style is fierce and she is a wonderful songwriter… she just got to find her Own viDeo style cuz Aaliyah is gone and we do not need her to be resurrected poorly, thanks.
25.
JOCKIN_MU
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I like Keri I really do but this song is wack as hell even Timbalnad can’t help this track..Do it to me should’ve been the 2nd single who the hell is your A&R I swear the game needs me!!!!
26.
JAYHOV
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
VIDEO IS FUCKIN HOTT, ALL YOU HATERS, AND PEEPS WHO SAID SHE ISNT ORIGINAL, IF U KNEW ANYTHING… SHE WROTE ALL THEIR HITS IDIOTS… ]
AND FOR THE PERSON WHO POSTED THIS LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THE ARTIST BEFORE YOU MAKE IGNORANT COMMENTS… SHE’S ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL PEEPS IN THE GAME…..
KEEP KILLIN IT KERI….
JAYHOV
27.
EnaMeL
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
this is gettin tired yall…
28.
buffyuna
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Well its a shame if she can write hits for other artists but not herself. If this is what she has to offer then maybe she should go back to writing and leave the singing to the proffesionals.
29.
SyN'CERE
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
SHES HOT!!!! EVEN THO I THINK HER NEXT SINGLE SHOULD OF BEEN TURN OFF BUT WUTEVER KERI DO BANGS!
30.
Da Benz
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I think it is a nice video, the only copycat I notice is the rain scene from “Umbrella.” Other than that, the video was happenin.’ I think a lot of girls hate on her because she is one well crafted black woman, mentally and visually. I just don’t know what is going on with her promotion team. This is her 4th push back, she is on that Nicole Scherzinger role right now, if she gets one more push back, she might just have to go back to working behind the scenes on other artist’s albums. In fact, I think that 2008 has officially deemed “YEAR OF ALBUM PROMO FAILURE” for a lot of artists. Damn this music business.
31.
stewart
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Great video! Keri Hilson is sexy as hell!!
I’m lookin’ forward to hearing her album,it sounds like it’s gonna be a good one.
32.
HOTNESS
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
HOORIBLE!!!!!
Sorry she looked great but uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no. The song was WACK.
33.
HOTNESS
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
#31
Ain’t nobody hating on her just b/c they dis-like her video or style. Geessshhh folks can have an opinion.
34.
ANEWSPIRIT
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Hated it.. This song sounds like their last song together.
35.
Don't Be Churlish....
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
- She copied Beyonce with the mirror things NOT Rihanna. Beyonce did them first in Naughty Girl then Rihanna did them in S.O.S. JLo did them too in her song with LL.
- She copied Ciara with the mics.
- She was crawling all on the ground like BEYONCE does all the time.
- Half the video she was copying Rihanna’s Umbrella.
- The black in the background looks like the end of Beyonce’s Deja Vu video.
- She’s trying to be like Rihanna IMO.
36.
Mr.Hilson
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Baby, hate this song. nothing catchy about this at all. THis is not a hit.
Love the video alot although I have to agree that its a combo of:
Rihanna SOS
Rihanna Umbrella
Ciara Go Girl
Mary Just fine
Beyonce Up Grade U
Nicole What ever u like
AN Beyonce Single ladies (if you think about it)
Keri is one of those artist who have all the qualities, talent and the it factor…however, I dont think using the right formula. Its like shes tryin to be rihanna, ciara and beyonce all in one. IDK. Maybe she shudnt sing. Thats all I have to say
37.
Lolo
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
You guys are annoying it was the directors vision not Keri’s and it doesnt look like anyones video
38.
Kellz
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Okay, first I wanna start off by saying I like the song but before it was remastered… it was 3x better. Next I wanna point out the blatant hypocrisy in some ppl’s comments. I hold my tongue about a lot of stuff because I feel it isn’t worth being serious on a entertainment site. On the other hand… there are some serious hypocrites or ignorant folks yapping on this post. Seriously, ppl really wanna use Rihanna (sp?) and originality in the same sentence? WTF did that chick ever do that was SO original? When she first came out, she was a broke-down version of Beyonce who is a hyped up version of Tina Turner! Now that this tramp THINKS aka FAKES like she’s “rocker sheek” to fit in with the WHITE audience, she’s all original? Children, PLEASE! Her ass cut her hair EXACTLY like Kelis, took a chapter (not a page but a whole damn chapter… maybe more) out of Fefe Dobson’s career and started banging high-profile poptarts like Beyaki to get where she is now. That’s ORIGINAL? GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE! Don’t even get me started on the Stans that confess their love to Beyonce and Ciara (ol’ Tina and Janet biting hoes)! F*** originality. So get real and be honest; THERE IS NO ORIGINALITY in mainstream pop, urban pop & mainstream R&B. So if ya’ll gonna point out how someone is biting other people’s videos, try pointing out how your favorite celebs are biting other people’s CAREERS! We are all human and we’re all connected ERGO we all bite in one way or another! Get off it, accept the artists on what they deliver and move on! I don’t like the video either but I’m not gonna lie and fake like Keri is the only copycat glorified on this site because WE ALL KNOW that ish is NOT true!
39.
joe
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
YOU GUYS ARE BEING TOO HARSH SAYING SHE COPIED THIS AND THAT. LIKE SOMEONE SAID BEFORE….SHE DIDN’T DIRECT THE VIDEO!!!
GET ON THE DIRECTOR FOR THAT!
AS FAR AS THE SONG…I THINK ITS AVERAGE AT BEST….
I’M STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT THIS GIRL IS SO HYPED UP FOR!
40.
Mrs.Sk8board P
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Honestly…as much as I hate to say this and even think this…her style reminds me of rihanna..and i don’t fuck wit that broad…i’ve said it before..keri is WHACK! and this just proved it…she has talent..BUT this…that shit is not working..the video is whack as hell..niggas need to step up..if u tryna be noticed…i think she need to go back to writing for people ONLY…cuz she writing “hit records” for others..but the shit she tryna deliver is WHACK!…and #3 rihanna was not the first to rock a hair cut…so as far as hair cuts go…no one followed rihanna in the segment.
41.
Peaceful1
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Wow she’s gorgeous! I didnt even know what she looked like until I saw this video…Im glad her hair isnt all in her face this time
42.
Dame(I Barack The Vote)
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Snooze
Keri tries to hard for me with EVERYTHING she does from the clothes and to the hair.
But she brings nothing different to the table like everyone else said too many videos crammed into one.
She an awesome team behind her but it’s NOT working. Sorry
43.
hautia
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Okay, Aaliyah, we need a resolution too, in the beginning
44.
love_
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Another boring bland video from melina, she had one good idea from Solonges I decided, and the rest……………………..blah.
45.
Mrs.Sk8board P
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
actually…it was solange’s idea for “i decided”..she just displayed it on screen..
46.
Corey
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Lol Wow just because these people point out that they have seen before you want to knock other aritst that made their videos hot. LMAO! Grow up Especially # 38
Beyonce Ciara Rihanna are the Driving force of black ladies in POP and RnB. So you hating on them well… STFU!
Yes things they have done is similar to other Icons but the SURE have made a name for themselves by staying in the own lane! Not knocking Keri but she didnt stay in her lane with this video took everyone elses. Face it!
It is very much so
Beyonce Naughty Girl( mirror)/ SOS Mirror outfit, she even sitting down like Rihanna COME ON NOW!
Ciara almost SAME Chair moves and type of shades and the whole messed up video as Go Girl, Mics on Promise going up and down. Only Ciara did it hella better!
Umbrella ALL the way the WAY even to last scene, with moves again from Beyonce naughty girl.
Upgrade U/ We Belong Together. lol Mainly upgrade u! With the tub scene, but Mariah was standing up in a pool like she was.
So please dont knock these TALENTED women of success. I hope Keri does find her niche to work for her because this isnt it! It still a good video no one is knocking that, Just no growth or excitement it because it REDUNDANT seeing same stuff over and over!
47.
SEABREEZE(M.I.A)
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
@40Mrs.Sk8board P
I’m late as hell Thursday night getting at this video. I’m sorry Keri does NOTHING for me. She is soooooooooooooo WACK! I don’t care about copying as long as you do a good job of it. But this is wack! Why can’t people just stay behind the scenes! No, everybody is “star” hungry and thinks what they do for others can work for them.
As far as Beyonce, that girl’s alter ego should be called “baby Tina” NOT Sasha Fierce (which is sooo wack). But I will give Bey credit, she has thre looks, moves and voice to back her shit up so you CANNOT F*CK w/ her!
Keri you failed biiiiig time. Let it go because you WILL flop. Everything you’ve put out thus far has been mediocre(?) to wack! I know my place in life. I’m not trying to run up on Wall St. trying to be a top investment banker. I’m good where I’m at because that’s what works for me. Stop reaching ma. Behind the scenes works for you. Maybe you can do a hook here and there on somebody else’s song, but an entire song/album w/ just you…..nah not gonna happen(or buy it). Let it go because you are going to fail.
48.
paula
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
I’m mad. This song and video are both wack.
49.
yes
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
the water reminded me of 3LW’s “I Do” video but whatever, I think the song’s lyrics coulda been a little better but overall it was likable, I still think she needs to release “Slow Dance” that’s a real sexy song
50.
Corey
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Opps I meant Mariah’s Dont Forget About Us, not we belong together lol
51.
Mrs.Sk8board P
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
# 46 Corey..and #47 Seabreeze(M.I.A.)…yall took the remaining words outta my mouth…i agree 100%
52.
Corey
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
lol #51 Thanks I know I agree with you and MIA! #47
53.
Kippish
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
Honestly there is no such thing as originality anymore.Everything comes from somewhere.So if Keri felt the need to re-enact those videos so be it .And unless she takes credit for writing the treatment for this , it might not even be her fault .Seeing how the director has worked with almost everyone mentioned.
I personally liked her twist on these videos. And i think her hairstyles suit her just fine .BUT I DID LIKE THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE SONG!!!
54.
tdotmarie
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
oh the video is horrible, but i don’t completely blame Keri. It’s like Melina used the exact same treatment for this and the “Go Girl” video, which is shameful AND embarassing in its obviousness, considering they came out around the same time…. smh…
i also think it’s really sad that Keri was basically one of the driving forces behind this whole “pop/rnb” renaissance genre, and now that it’s EVERYWHERE and she’s getting her chance to break into the spotlight, SHE ends up looking like the biter. bad timing i guess?
i agree that she might not be cut out for the biz… like if you think about it she has all the usual keys for success… beauty, style AND real talent (a rarity)??… but yet and still…. nothing. it might just not be her time…
55.
Chadbertwick
Thursday, October 23, 2008 /
THIS IS HORRIBLE ON SO MANY LEVELS. THE VIDEO IS SO CORNY AND WHY DID SHE CHANGE THE SONG. THE OTHER VERSION WAS WAY BETTER. IS SHE TRYING NOT TO HAVE A HIT?
56.
keepitreallallthetime
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
the director got her trying to be rihanna, keri hilson need her own style asap. that video was to rihanna
57.
keepitrealallthetime
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
the song is cool, not hot. but cool
58.
ummm
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
Not of this artist are original if u ask me, rihanna is a manufactured artist, she totally bit all of fefe dobson’s swagg, so for yall to say keri jacked rihanna is lame, uh just appreciate tha fact that she actually sings, and is good at it; also its not the artist’s fault, they are not the director of the video, i liked it the video,
59.
Nina
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
I LOVE IT!!!! AND I LOVE KERI!!!!! SONG AND VID ARE AMAZING AND I CAN’T WAIT TO COP THE ALBUM!!!!
Please stop comparing her to that Rihanna vid or Ciara…. she’s def waaaayyyyyyy more talented and they wish they could have carried off anything with the level of class and grace that she did. Ciara trying to be some sex kitten all of a sudden and Rihanna’s turning punk rock/techno–PUH-LEASE!!!!
….and ANYONE that thinks Rihanna or Ciara are “originals”… HA!!! …Need i even say more? I think not.
Team Keri!!!!!!!
60.
Nina
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
seriously though… were either Ciara or Rihanna the first to use water or mirrors??? c’mon now…. y’all really got me feelin some kinda way right about now…. ::smh::
61.
Nina
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
OMG… #38 said it best. Amen to that.
62.
whatup
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
She looks really beautiful…but the vid did remind me of Rhianna, I thought she was doin a weird al parody at first…the song is kinda blah, she can do better
63.
rubybaby
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
I like the song & video. She’s such a beautiful woman.
64.
LURKER
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
wow!! this song is horrible. like someone else said, “is she trying not to have a hit”. it’s like the song has no melody or anything that makes you want to dance or bob your head to it, it’s just blah.
i liked “slow dance” better and wished she would’ve released that.
personally, i don’t give a fuk what people bite as long as they make it their own, everybody knows there’s nothing new under the sun, but it’s how you deliver that sh1t that makes out. kerri is way too smart, talented, and pretty to be getting played like this.
she needs to start releasing the banggers that i know she’s got in her arsenal and show that she’s capable of being compared to beyonce, ciara, and rihanna (sp).
i actually think she’s more talented than ciara or rihanna (sp) but her single choices haven’t been showing that, well at least this one isn’t b/c i thought energy was good. just needed more promotion. and then they should’ve followed it up with another single when it started to go down.
if i was her, i’d flood the market place with my music, just release a whole bunch of got dam songs!!! it works for beyonce, lolololol.
65.
Boomie
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
yes , Keri Hilson was on point….idk what yall talkin bout…keri do ur thing and shut these hoes down in the game!!!!!!!
66.
Adorable
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
She appears to be a played out Rihanna, light eyes and all.
67.
Todays User
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
How can we get her to release the other version of this song? Cause this one isn’t hitting like the other one was. Could they not get that sample cleared or something?
68.
Kai
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
kerin had her hair black and shortish waay before rihanna did. but her vid do look like rhianna ciar bey…and so on.
69.
jenii-babez
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
I HATE TO SAY IT BUT IT REMINDS OF UMBRELLA…YEP….UMBRELLA…ELLA ELLA ELLA EH!
BUT SHE LOOKS GREAT THO…
UMBRELLA….UMMMM YEP
70.
jenii-babez
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
@ 38…BABY ITS OK! EVERYTHING YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WILL WORK OUT IN THE END…ALL THEM ENTERTAINERS WILL STILL BE MAKING MILLIONS REGARDLESS OF WHAT PPL SAY…THIS IS AMERICA WE CAN SAY WHATEVER WE WANT TO SAY…AINT NOBODY GONE KNOCK DOWN MY DOOR CAUSE I SAID THIS VIDEO MAKES US THINK OF RIHANNA….AWWW HONEY ITS ALRIGHT BABE…LUV YOU MUCH!!!
71.
Mysterious1
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
I like Keri but this song and video bored me. I’ve heard much better songs from her. “Turn Off” should have been the next video.
72.
daytona
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
maaaaan i was really rootin for Keri I loved all her tracks from like 06 and 07 and all the guest appearances she had done but this and energy have left me really dissapointed. I wish she would {even tho I know there is no chance of this happenin} release high heels or happy juice or love ya or somethin or even do a full version of covers blown. I am just really over all this r&b euro dance pop eryone has been churning out .
73.
PhillyPhilly
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
I Love KERI! I like the video. I think its sexy without trying 2 hard. I agree with #38. Everything in the game is recycled. I dont know who said this was a positive site but they must not read these comments.
74.
PhillyPhilly
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
O and I peeped how Angel posted this first wit her lil negative comment and now it’s been reposted by Brian
75.
NaturallyCoColicious
Friday, October 24, 2008 /
SEX SEX SEX…videos are becomin so damn cliche. Everybody wants to promote sex but then be all in commercials or supportin “AIDS AWARENESS OR SAFE SEX” yet they be the same celebs or PEOPLE sellin sex in most there music videos and songs….pitiful…I dont like the song or video because it aint nothing new……her video is a jock of rihanna/beyonce and cici ALL rolled into one…..not feelin it…. COMMERICAL MUSIC IS OFFICAL GARBAGE.
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