Kelis

Kelis

Kelis performing live at Rise Festival in London on July 15, 2007
Background information
Birth name Kelis Rogers
Born August 21, 1979 (1979-08-21) (age 31)
New York, New York United States
Genres House, R&B, hip hop, electro
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Years active 1997–present
Labels Virgin (1998–2001)
Star Trak/Arista (2003–2005)
LaFace/Jive (2006–2008)
will.i.am music group (2010–)
Associated acts Nas, Pharrell, Pusha T, Chad Hugo
Website www.iamkelis.com

Kelis Jones (née Rogers; born August 21, 1979),[1] (play /kəˈliːs/),[2] is an American R&B singer-songwriter. She is a BRIT Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. Her biggest hit is "Milkshake," which became well-known in Western popular culture. The singer has had five studios albums starting in 1999 with her first album "Kaleidoscope" which made little impact commercially, however the album supported her debut single "Caught out There" which peaked at number 4 in the United Kingdom. In 2001 Kelis released her second studio album "Wanderland" which failed to chart in the US and it peaked at number 78 in the UK.

In 2003 Kelis made her worldwide breakthrough with the single "Milkshake" which charted within the top 3 in the US, UK, Australia and Ireland and becoming her biggest selling single. She followed the release of the single with her third studio album "Tasty" which was certified Platinum in the United Kingdom and Gold in the United States and the album became her biggest selling. In 2006 Kelis releases her fourth studio album "Kelis Was Here" which peaked at number 10 on the US Album Charts becoming her highest charting album there however the album did not match the success commercially as her previous work. In 2008 Zomba released Kelis's first compilation album "The Hits" after she had ended her time with the company, the album failed to chart throughout the globe with the exception of the UK Where the album peaked at number 71. In 2010 Kelis returned to music on Will.i.am's record label with her fifth studio album "Flesh Tone" which received praise from critics.

Contents

Early life

Kelis was born and raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Her first name is a portmanteau of her father's name, Kenneth, and her mother's name, Eveliss. Kenneth is an African American jazz musician, Pentecostal minister, and was a professor at Wesleyan University.[3] Eveliss is a Chinese-Puerto Rican fashion designer who inspired Kelis to pursue her singing career. She has three sisters, Kelis being the third born of the four girls. Her younger sister, Faryka Rogers, is a postgraduate veterinary student at Tuskegee University.

As a child, Kelis sang in church choirs and played violin, piano, and saxophone while attending Manhattan Country School, a private school. Kelis left home at age sixteen,[3] but continued her education at age sixteen when she went to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she formed the R&B trio BLU (Black Ladies United). After graduation, she formed a band with The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, and, with their support, landed herself a record deal.

Music career

1999–2002: Kaleidoscope and Wanderland

Kelis began recording her debut album, Kaleidoscope, in the summer of 1998 and was finished within a year. The album was produced by The Neptunes members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. It debuted at number one hundred and forty-four on the Billboard 200 and reached the top fifty on the Top Heatseekers, selling over 10,736 copies in its first week of release. The album has since sold 249,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[4] Its lead and most notable single, "Caught out There", peaked at number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and became a minor MTV/BET video hit. The entire album took off in Europe, where all three singles — "Caught out There", "Good Stuff" (featuring Terrar of Clipse), and "Get Along with You" — were sizable hits. Kelis's colorful style in both clothing and hair received considerable attention.

"Caught out There" entered the UK Singles Chart at number four. With its success, it was decided that another single should be released. A second single, "Good Stuff", was a modest hit, securing a number nineteen position on the UK Singles Chart, although the third release, "Get Along with You", only reached number fifty-one in the United Kingdom, despite Kelis promoting the track there. The British Phonographic Industry certified Kaleidoscope gold,[5] selling over 100,000 copies in the UK, where it reached number forty-three on the UK Albums Chart. Furthermore, Kelis won the BRIT Award for International Breakthrough Act in 2001.

Kelis's second album, Wanderland, was released two years later exclusively in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, after its lead single, "Young, Fresh n' New", failed to catch on in the U.S. The video for the song barely registered on American MTV or VH1, but received heavy airplay on MTV2 as well as on Canada's MuchMusic. According to Kelis, then-U.S. record company Virgin did not understand Wanderland.[6] The record executives at Virgin felt the album material did not have strong enough singles. Unlike those of her debut, Wanderland's sales were mediocre, with just 80,000 copies sold worldwide, and the only single released off the album, "Young, Fresh n' New", only managed to reach number thirty-two in the UK. The album was, however, critically acclaimed.

2003–2005: Tasty

Kelis finally found mainstream success in the U.S. in 2003, with her Hot Dance Club Play number-one, Billboard Hot 100 top five single, "Milkshake"; this helped to propel her third album, Tasty, to sell over 400,000 copies in the U.S in only two months. It also earned her a Grammy Award nomination in 2004 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Although The Neptunes contributed a number of tracks to the album, Kelis began collaborating with other producers, such as Dallas Austin, André 3000, Rockwilder, and Raphael Saadiq, producing an altogether more eclectic, alternative sound. Speaking to Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul she stated: "I felt like I had a lot to prove with this album. People had started messing with me along the lines of 'Is she REALLY any good without The Neptunes?' - which I knew was ridiculous. And so I was like 'I'll take that challenge'." [7] According to Nielsen SoundScan numbers, the album has sold 533,000 copies in the United States[8] and has gained gold status in the U.S., where "Milkshake" also went gold,[9] selling over 500,000 copies.

The single and album immediately found success in Europe. According to the BPI, Tasty went platinum in the United Kingdom,[10] selling over 300,000 copies, and the hit single "Milkshake" went silver,[11] selling over 200,000 units—it was the UK's fourteenth best-selling single in 2004. The album's second single, the Dallas Austin-produced "Trick Me", also proved successful on radio and music video channels in Europe, and went to the top ten in many European countries during mid-2004. However, the song did not garner success in the U.S.,[6] where its music video barely received airplay. "Trick Me" was important because The Neptunes were, for once, not involved in its production. Kelis's success grew in Australia, where Tasty went gold with over 35,000 copies sold, and where "Milkshake" and "Trick Me" went platinum (selling over 70,000 copies each).

"Not in Love", Kelis's collaboration with Enrique Iglesias from his 2003 seventh studio album, 7, was released as a single the following year, reaching number five in the UK. Although the single failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, it topped the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. Kelis followed the success of the third Tasty single, "Millionaire" (featuring André 3000), with the Rockwilder-produced, sexually suggestive track "In Public" (featuring Nas). The single reached number seventeen on the UK chart with no video shot. In Australia, the single was her third consecutive top forty hit.

During this time, she collaborated with Björk on a remix of the first single from Medúlla, "Oceania", which appeared as a B-side to the album's second single, "Who Is It". With the success of Tasty, Kelis went on tour as the opening act for Britney Spears's The Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004.

2006–2008: Kelis Was Here and The Hits

Kelis's fourth studio album, Kelis Was Here (originally due to be called The Puppeteer), was released in August 2006, and debuted and peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200. Despite its top ten debut, the album has sold only 157,000 copies in the United States as of October 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[8] Its lead single, "Bossy" (featuring Too Short), achieved frequent airplay on urban radio and was a moderate hit in the U.S., peaking at number sixteen. The single "Bossy" also went multi platinum in December 2006 according to the RIAA.[9] The album includes production credits by Scott Storch, Cee-Lo Green (from the Gnarls Barkley fame), Raphael Saadiq, will.i.am, Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Knobody, Polow da Don, Damon Elliott, Cool and Dre, Sean Garrett, and Bangladesh. Unlike on Kelis's previous efforts, the production duo The Neptunes are not featured at all; Kelis was quoted as saying that it was "very important to me", but also that it was purely a creative decision and that she has no ill will toward Williams or Hugo. Kelis Was Here was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards, but lost out to Beyoncé's B'Day.

The second single from the album, which was pushed by her American label (Jive), was the collaboration with Nas, "Blindfold Me". The song missed the Billboard Hot 100, and reached only #91 on the R&B chart. Afterwards, her European label (Virgin) decided not to release the single and to go instead with the Cee-Lo-featuring "Lil Star", which was another hit for Kelis in the United Kingdom, peaking at #3. In the UK, Kelis Was Here has shipped 60,000 copies and earned a silver certification from the BPI.[12] It charted at #41 only, but concurrent to the popularity of "Lil Star", it re-entered the albums chart in February 2007. According to the ARIA, Kelis Was Here went gold, selling 35,000 despite the fact the album had a low debut of only ninety-six on the Australian Albums Chart. The popularity of the album's track "I Don't Think So" increased after its use in promotion for the 2008 season of the reality series Big Brother Australia.[13] The song peaked at #27 on the ARIA chart and became a top ten urban hit. During the summer of 2007, Kelis toured in Europe, appearing in numerous festivals among the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Kelis collaborated with Busta Rhymes and will.i.am on the track "I Love My Bitch", the second single from Rhymes's 2006 seventh studio album, The Big Bang. This was the second time Kelis has teamed up with Rhymes, the first being his 2001 song "What It Is". Kelis is also featured on the soundtrack to the 2005 film Just Like Heaven with a cover version of The Pretenders' 1979 classic "Brass in Pocket", as well as on the soundtrack to the 2006 dance film Step Up with a song called "80's Joint". Ford chose Kelis to help advertise the 2007 Ford Edge, and she recorded a theme song for the commercial, entitled "Push It to the Edge", with help from producer Scott Storch.[14] Kelis was set to be working with Annie Lennox on a duet for the Eurythmics' new album, due to release in late November. Artists such as Pink, Mary J. Blige, and Madonna were also to appear on the album.[15]

In October 2007, Kelis's manager told Entertainment Weekly that the singer was working with Cee-Lo Green on an alternative dance album and would be shopping a pop album produced by songwriter Guy Chambers, who co-wrote hits such as Robbie Williams's "Angels".[16] Scottish electronica producer Calvin Harris was also said to be collaborating with her.[17]

After Kelis left the Zomba label, the label released a fourteen-track greatest hits album entitled The Hits (previously due to be titled Good Stuff – The Best of Kelis) in March 2008 in the United Kingdom. The album does not contain any previously unreleased songs, although Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Got Your Money", N.E.R.D's "Truth or Dare", and Richard X's "Finest Dreams" appear on the album, which is unusual for a hits collection album as she was a featured, not headlining artist on these tracks. The Hits includes every charted Kelis single to that date with the exception of "Blindfold Me" (featuring Nas). Kelis never had any intention of releasing The Hits herself.

2009 – Present: Flesh Tone

Kelis confirmed through her official Twitter page that she was finishing her fifth studio album to be released in 2010 under Interscope Records via the Will.I.Am.Music Group. Kelis worked with various producers and contributors on the album, including Ammo, Jean Baptiste, Benny Benassi, Burns, Diplo, Boys Noize, Free School, DJ Switch, Will.i.am and David Guetta. There is also an unreleased collaboration with La Roux and a song with Kid Sister, of which clips have leaked online. Before the release of her own dance oriented album, Kelis experimented with the genre. She appeared on Electro DJ Benny Benassi's single "Spaceship", featured on his upcoming 2010 album, together with Apl.de.ap and Jean Baptiste. Kelis was also featured on the Crookers single "No Security" from their debut album Tons of Friends[18] and she appeared on Basement Jaxx 2009 album Scars on the title track. [19]

In late 2009, Kelis premiered the first single from the album titled Flesh Tone, called "Acapella", produced by David Guetta, about her newborn son Knight. The song and it's accompanying video, directed by John "Rankin" Waddell, Chris Cottam and Nicole Ehrlich, received good reception reaching over 2 million views on YouTube within the first 2 weeks. The single debuted in the top five in the UK Singles Charts, peaked at number three on the Slovakia Top 100 Airplay Chart and reached number one in the U.S.Hot Dance Club Songs and on the UK Dance Chart. It reached the Top Twenty in a total of seven European countries.

The album was released on May 14th 2010 in Europe and Asia, and on July 5th in the US. The second single of "Flesh Tone", "4th of July (Fireworks)" was released in June 2010 in America and on July 5th in the UK. The song was an instant hit in the Europe electro scene. The video for the song debuted June 16th on Youtube and VEVO.[20][21][22] The video was, like "Acapella", directed by John "Rankin" Waddell and Nicole Ehrlich, but is co-directed by Kelis. The video reached 2 million hits after two weeks on YouTube.

The album marked Kelis' transition into dance and pop music, a different direction from her previous R&B based sound.[23]" She stated that she wanted to have a more dance and pop sound to the album, as well with tribal elements, which is also visible in the visuals, videos and promotional shots for "Flesh Tone". The album was critically acclaimed as one of the best dance albums of its time and is considered Kelis' return to commercial success in Europe.

Kelis started promotion for the album in early 2010 with various club and television performances. A worldwide club/festival tour accompanying the album in spring and summer 2010, was announced trough Kelis' official website. Kelis is set to go on her US only tour titled All Hearts with Robyn starting July 23rd.[24]. In between tour dates (and after) Kelis will also be performing solo gigs.

Other projects

Kelis is writing a cookbook with Robert Teamer[25] and designing her own line of fashion accessories, called Cake.[26] Kelis is in talks to host a Project Runway-esque show for VH1, and is auditioning for various film and TV roles.[8][16]

Personal life

Kelis married rapper Nas in January 2005. In April 2009 she filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences". She was seven months pregnant at the time.[27] On July 22, 2009, Kelis gave birth to a baby boy named Knight.[28] The birth was announced by Nas via an online video.[29] On July 23, a judge in New York City ordered Nas to pay Kelis $55,000 per month in child and spousal support after Kelis tried to collect $100,000 a month in child support.[30] The couple's divorce was finalized May 21, 2010.[31].

Arrest

In March 2007, Kelis was detained by police in Miami Beach, Florida, and charged with disorderly conduct. The arrest report said the officers were posing as prostitutes along a main avenue in the South Beach nightclub district when Kelis started screaming racial profanities at them. She was sent to Miami-Dade County Jail, and was later released on a $1,500 bond.[32] On September 12, 2008, Kelis was acquitted on charges of resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct stemming back to the 2007 arrest. "I'm thrilled that justice prevailed in the end", Kelis said in a statement. A spokesperson for Kelis further commented that the artist will still be moving forward with a lawsuit against the Miami Beach Police, claiming unlawful arrest and the violation of her civil rights.[33] Kelis was cleared of all charges.

Conflicts with PETA

In the beginning of 2010, Kelis received a letter by animal rights organization PETA, in which she was informed about the cruelty that comes along with the production of fur coats. In her Myspace blog, she mocked PETA and stated that she would go on wearing fur, referencing several fur coats she had made for her pet dogs.[34]

Discography

Studio albums

Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2001 Kelis BRIT Awards, International Female Breakthrough Act Won
2004 "Milkshake" MTV Europe Music Awards, Best R&B Nominated
2004 "Milkshake" Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance Nominated
2005 Kelis BRIT Awards, International Female Solo Nominated
2007 Kelis Was Here Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album Nominated
2007 "Bossy" Urban Music Awards, Best Music Video Nominated
2007 Kelis Urban Music Awards, Best R&B Act Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Nas and Gray Help Kelis Celebrate Birthday". ContactMusic.com. August 2006. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/nas%20and%20gray%20help%20kelis%20celebrate%20birthday_1006476. Retrieved January 9, 2007. 
  2. ↑ She can be heard singing her name in the song "Blindfold Me"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pool, Hannah (February 1, 2007). "Question time: Kelis". Guardian Unlimited (London). http://music.guardian.co.uk/urban/story/0,,2003411,00.html. Retrieved March 5, 2007. 
  4. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (November 2, 2006). "Ask Billboard". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003349841. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  5. ↑ "KELIS , KALEIDOSCOPE , Gold". British Phonographic Industry. March 2, 2001. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=29467. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rolls, Chris (April 24, 2006). "Exclusive Interview with Kelis". MP3.com. CNET Networks, Inc.. http://www.mp3.com/features/stories/4233.html. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  7. ↑ Kelis interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' December 2003 (reprinted March 2008)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Crosley, Hillary (October 29, 2007). "Report: Kelis Splits With Jive". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.). http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003664644. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Gold and Platinum – Searchable Database". RIAA.com. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  10. ↑ "KELIS , TASTY , Platinum". British Phonographic Industry. October 22, 2004. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31783. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  11. ↑ "KELIS , MILKSHAKE , Silver". British Phonographic Industry. February 13, 2004. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=31470. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  12. ↑ "KELIS , KELIS WAS HERE , Silver". British Phonographic Industry. September 29, 2006. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32684. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  13. ↑ Pycroft, Chris (April 27, 2008). "Kelis out of the charts? I don't think so!". GenQ. http://music.generationq.net/bm/news/kelis-returns-to-charts-001.shtml. Retrieved June 4, 2008. 
  14. ↑ "Ford Chooses Kelis To Push Edge". TheCarConnection.com. December 19, 2006. http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/Ford_Chooses_Kelis_To_Push_Edge.S173.A11606.html. Retrieved January 9, 2007. 
  15. ↑ "Annie Lennox To Collaborate With Madonna On New Album". Newsvine. May 2, 2007. http://poolparty.newsvine.com/_news/2007/05/02/697230-annie-lennox-to-collaborate-with-madonna-on-new-album. Retrieved May 4, 2007. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Halperin, Shirley (October 26, 2007). "Jive Records drops Kelis". Entertainment Weekly. http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/10/jive-records-dr.html. Retrieved October 28, 2007. 
  17. ↑ "Kelis To Work With Calvin Harris?". PR-inside.com. May 14, 2007. http://www.pr-inside.com/entertainment-blog/2007/05/14/kelis-to-work-with-calvin-harris/. Retrieved November 25, 2007. 
  18. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:k9frxzldldje
  19. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfuxzwaldte
  20. ↑ KELIS FOLLOWS NO. 1 HIT “ACAPELLA” WITH NEW DIGITAL SINGLE “4TH OF JULY” OUT JUNE 8TH
  21. ↑ '4TH OF JULY' VIDEO TO PREMIERE WORLDWIDE WED JUNE 16th
  22. ↑ Watch the WORLD PREMIERE of the '4th Of July' video now!
  23. ↑ http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/reviews/music/r-n-b-rap/kelis-flesh-tones-$21378312.htm
  24. ↑ All Hearts Tour
  25. ↑ Lelinwalla, Mark (March 14, 2006). "Kelis Talks Cookbook, New Album and Nas' Ex Carmen". vibe.com. http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/03/kelis_talks_cookbook_new_album_and_nas_ex_carmen/. Retrieved May 22, 2009. 
  26. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (September 25, 2006). "Kelis Wants To Help You Dress, Cook — But She Won't Do Your Taxes". mtv.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1541682/20060925/kelis.jhtml. Retrieved May 22, 2009. 
  27. ↑ "'Milkshake' Singer Kelis Files for Divorce". people.com. April 30, 2009. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20276008,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines. 
  28. ↑ "Kelis Welcomes a Baby Boy!". usmagazine.com. July 22, 2009. http://www.usmagazine.com/news/kelis-gives-birth-to-baby-boy-2009227. Retrieved July 22, 2009. 
  29. ↑ Jayson, Rodriguez (July 22, 2009). "Nas Announces Birth Of Son With Kelis In Online Video". mtv.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616720/20090722/nas.jhtml. Retrieved July 22, 2009. 
  30. ↑ "Judge Sides With Kelis, Orders Nas To Pay $55K In Monthly Support.". http://www.idiomag.com/peek/93313/kelis. 
  31. ↑ "Nas & Kelis -- Officially divorced!". http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/24/nas-kelis-divorced/. 
  32. ↑ "Cops: Singer Kelis Arrested for Screaming Profanities at Florida Police". FOXNews. March 3, 2007. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256359,00.html. Retrieved September 15, 2007. 
  33. ↑ "Kelis Acquitted On Charges Of Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest". MTV News. September 12, 2008. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594700/20080912/nas.jhtml. Retrieved September 13, 2008. 
  34. ↑ "Kelis about her contact with PETA". Myspace. January 14, 2010. http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=58092027&blogId=525841025. Retrieved January 14, 2010. 

26. ^Cline, Georgette (December 15, 2009). "Kelis Calls New Label Deal ‘Good Marriage'". rap-up.com. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

27. ^Cline, Georgette. (December 9, 2009). "Kelis’ New Album Will Make You Sweat". rap-up.com. Retrieved December 16, 2009.

External links

Kelis
Studio albums
Kaleidoscope · Wanderland · Tasty · Kelis Was Here · Flesh Tone
Other albums
The Hits
Singles
"Caught Out There" · "Good Stuff" · "Get Along with You" · "Young, Fresh n' New" · "Milkshake" · "Trick Me" · Millionaire" · "In Public" · "Bossy" · "Blindfold Me" · "Lil Star" · "I Don't Think So" · "Acapella" · "4th of July (Fireworks)" · "Scream" · "Brave"
Featured singles
"Got Your Money" · "Finest Dreams" · "What It Is" · "Candy" · Not in Love" · "Oceania (remix)" · "I Love My Chick" · "Not a Criminal"
Related articles
Discography · All Hearts Tour