Associated Press photo

Keri Hilson is looking forward extraspecial to tonight's concert at Xcel Energy Center. That's because the I Am Still Music Tour starring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross has been playing mostly amphitheaters.

"It's been very sweaty but very good. The crowds have had an amazing spirit, very engaged," Hilson said Tuesday before taking the stage at Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee. She swooned when she heard about the air-conditioned indoor venue in St. Paul. "It'll be a cool show. I won't sweat as much."

As the only female act on a testosterone-heavy tour, Hilson, 28, is cool with that. "People enjoy the break," she said. "I'm smack dab in the middle. That's when the women are really, really into it, not that they aren't for the others. You know, it's really their little estrogen break."

Known for her "No Boys Allowed" album and hits like "Pretty Girl Rock," Hilson sells girl-power during her segment. "I talk about what women deserve and the mistakes we make, as well. It's very aggressive. It's all about making us feel good about ourselves. Chances are the majority of the women are single like me. It's very empowering and it's a lot of fun."

Hilson got her start as a teen in Decatur, Ga., writing songs for Usher, Ludacris and Ciara. Among the hits she's penned are Britney Spears' "Gimme More," Mary J. Blige's "Take Me as I Am" and Nas' "Hero." Then she became a featured singer on such hits as Xzibit's "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)," Timbaland's "The Way I Are" and TI's "Got Your Back."

Hilson finally released her own album in 2009. "Being an artist was always my first dream," she said. "Songwriting didn't really replace that dream for me. Meeting Timbaland kind of spawned the renewal of the artist."

However, after three years of concentrating on her performing and recording career, Hilson is planning to return to writing songs for others.