At 10 years old, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard was already singing behind her legendary mother, Karen Clark-Sheard of gospel greats The Clark Sisters. After the release of her 2004 debut album, KiKi became a force in modern-day gospel. Her big-lunged voice and persuasive blend of hip-hop, contemporary R&B and soul won her legions of fans—so much that her second album debuted at No. 1 on the gospel charts. Her career has played out on high level ever since. When not recording and touring, the Detroit-born Sheard preaches at churches around the country.