Pretty Girl Rock

Keri Hilson released Pretty Girl Rock as the lead single from her second studio album, No Boys Allowed, on October 12, 2010. The track arrived through Interscope Records and Mosley Music Group to mark a shift toward a more self-assured persona for the singer. Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony wrote and produced the song, crafting a mid-tempo R&B anthem that relies on a bouncy rhythm and slinky piano lines. Critics noted the infectious energy of the production even while some questioned the lyrical depth.

The recording samples the melodic structure of Bill Withers' 1981 hit Just the Two of Us. While Withers receives credit for the underlying composition, the track does not reuse his original lyrics. This musical choice provided a nostalgic backbone for Hilson's message about self-love and confidence. The single version released in January 2011 included four tracks total and helped push the song to number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over one million digital copies in the United States, the song also reached the top 40 in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Chris Robinson directed the accompanying music video, which features Hilson in various glamorous settings to match the song's theme. The visual has accumulated tens of millions of views on YouTube since its debut. Despite the commercial success, the track did not secure any major awards specifically for the song itself during the 2010–2011 season. [edit]