Keri Hilson had to "fight" to keep her voice.

The 'Knock You Down' hitmaker claims she wrongly gets labeled a diva because she has struggled with vocal strain, caused by constantly performing and talking in interviews when she's on tour.

She told theboombox.com: "Certain situations you're put in are to the detriment of your instrument, and a lot of damage was done. Promo days are 12 to 14 hours of talking. That is very damaging.

"I had to take care of it mostly while I was recording 'No Boys Allowed.' It's been the hardest thing, just to fight for my health, fight for my instrument, my gift. They will abuse it if you let them

"You have to fight. If the word 'diva' comes up around my name, it's because I'm fighting for my voice.

"I've had to fight and if I'm called a diva for fighting for myself like no one else will, then I'll be a diva."

The singer also added she is hoping to work with producer Timbaland again, after appearing on his singles 'Scream' and 'The Way I Are' and him producing tracks for her albums.

She added: "I miss working with Timbaland. I've been on the road so much that I haven't been able to get back in the studio with Tim, but I love it. He's a huge source of inspiration when I'm working on my own album, so I will get back with him very, very, very soon. I just don't know when."