Born and raised in Detroit, she began DJing in the late 80s, producing her own music and founded the label Acacia Records, to release tracks spanning jackin’ house, ghettotech and Detroit techno. She began touring in Europe by the mid-1990s with Warp Records releasing the single 'Global Warning' in 1994. She released the first of seven studio albums in 1995, and steadily continued to release music until 2020.
K-Hand’s musical development began at a very early age in Detroit. At just six years old Kelli was already embracing the study of voice, piano, and bongos and went on to play the drums and a variety of percussion instruments throughout High School. In college she studied Music Theory and frequented legendary clubs such as “The Paradise Garage” as well as started her own inspirational Classic House vinyl record collection that her mentors Larry Levan and Timmy Regisford were playing in the early to mid 80’s. In 1990, with Kelli’s enthusiasm and knowledge for this musical sound, she was quickly recruited by the late Ken Collier to DJ for “Zippers” club in Detroit as well as started collaborating with the Collier brothers, Greg and Ken. Within the same year, she released her 10th twelve inch release,”Everybody”, and “Freak them Hoes”, while launching what is now known as one of the most remarkable record labels in electronic music history; Kelli Hand’s own “Acacia Records”. Hand decided to release her 1st music license “Mystery” under the pseudonym “K-HAND” to avoid gender stereotyping in 1991, which is known today as her darker Techno side (with “Kelli Hand” being her soulful House side, as well as her now well known Live Public Appearance surname). With fervent passion and drive, Hand had started forging her highly regarded and respected path, and was professionally and publicly acknowledged as the very first woman to ever release electronic music in the world.
Additional 12" hits like “Candlelights,” “Flash Back” and “Think About It” cemented her career and by 1994 her name took off in earnest with equally strong Techno and House releases throughout the early and mid-90’s breaking her name overseas, appearing on Warp (UK), Distance (France), Reload (UK), Studio !K7 (Germany), Ausfahrt (Germany), Tresor (Germany) alongside various high-profile compilation appearances and a downpour of music licensing worldwide. This was, of course, in addition to maintaining her own stellar Acacia Records recordings. Kelli Hand’s first full-length album was released in 1995 on the highly-regarded Studio !K7 imprint in Germany, which in turn was also the very first album to ever be released on this label.
In addition, Hand launched the careers of many now prestigious and internationally well-known artists, which first appeared on the Acacia label. These artist’s include Claude Young (1990 to 1993), and Wamdue Kids now aka Wamdue Project/Chris Brann (1995-96) just to name a few.
HAND also appears on a host of Record labels Worldwide:
Warp, Studio !K7,d:tour,A&M London, ausfahrt, columbia, blanco y negro, emi music (uk) virgin, caroline, bmg france, sony music (austrailia), Radikal fear, sony (japan), moonshine, uWe, tvt, peacefrog, EMI, Virgin and BMG Ariola, Distance,Diki Records, Maffia,R&S records,global cuts,plus recordings, Loriz Sounds, open,ministry of sound, underground liberation, substance, remote recordings, filth, apricot records, Astralwerks, NovaMute, clubstar,x-sight, pure sonik records, big time, elypsia, international, anter-subway, ariola, arcade, react, electrofunk records, statra recordings other records, beast records, next music, loveslap! recordings, essential dance music,low price music, m.c. projects, school records, undercover music group, fourone1,yume,molecular, t&B vinyl,never records,mk2 music,independence records, wax magazine,recordings, future frontier, zipper, tripoli trax, groove kissing, music world, bla bla records, wallshaker, arcade, revive the soul, ubl, basic beat, mishpucha, Sub Terranean, push & pull, basic beat recordings, generations, tresor, gum (german underground movement), ec records,volume, level2, dance pool,bbk special projects, fcommunications, pandamonium, re-load,sub-lime,Sub Terranean,hyperspace, matrix records (detroit), ministry magazine, pmg records, legal records
Roots
K-Hand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryna find the root of my problems
I gotta conquer and solve them
I swear everything I do it feel like I do it backwards
Chai copped the mac book
I had copped the lens
Could've used that payment to cop a Benz
Definition of friends
It's hard to come across genuine people who gone stick with you till the end
Lucky I got some individuals in my inner circle
Sipping Element instead of sipping purple
Messing round with Quigg he got me up past my curfew
Anything to see my niggas more successful than me
Even if that mean they gotta come first
I was raised by church folk
Not to mention
Having interventions with a higher power
Telling me my time is any hour
Tryna find the root of my problem
I gotta conquer and solve them
Tryna find the root of my problem
I gotta conquer and solve them
I swear everything I do it feel like I do it backwards
So I keep it pushing
In K-Hand's song "Roots," the artist delves into personal struggles and the need to overcome them. The opening lines, "I gotta conquer and solve them, tryna find the root of my problems," highlight the theme of self-reflection and introspection. The artist acknowledges feeling like they are moving backwards despite their efforts, but they remain determined to push through their struggles. The mention of buying a Macbook and a lens instead of a Benz shows the artist's focus on investing in tools that can help their career goals rather than material possessions.
K-Hand also touches on the importance of genuine connections with people who have a shared vision. They acknowledge that it is difficult to come across genuine people who will stick by them till the end, but they are grateful to have individuals in their inner circle who prioritize success without compromising their character. The artist mentions sipping on Element instead of purple, referencing the importance of maintaining a clear mind and staying focused on goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta conquer and solve them
I must overcome and resolve my issues
Tryna find the root of my problems
Attempting to locate the core of my difficulties
I gotta conquer and solve them
I must overcome and resolve my issues
I swear everything I do it feel like I do it backwards
I feel as though my actions are counterproductive
Chai copped the mac book
Chai bought a MacBook
I had copped the lens
I purchased a camera lens
Could've used that payment to cop a Benz
I could have spent that money on buying a Mercedes-Benz
Definition of friends
The true meaning of friendship
Got a mutual vision
We share a common goal
It's hard to come across genuine people who gone stick with you till the end
It is challenging to find authentic individuals who will stay loyal to you until the end
Lucky I got some individuals in my inner circle
Fortunate that I have certain people close to me
Sipping Element instead of sipping purple
Drinking Element bottle water instead of consuming codeine cough syrup
Messing round with Quigg he got me up past my curfew
Hanging out with Quigg led me to stay out later than I was allowed
Anything to see my niggas more successful than me
I will do anything to see my friends succeed more than I do
Even if that mean they gotta come first
Even if that necessitates putting them ahead of myself
I was raised by church folk
I was brought up by religious people
Not to mention
Additionally
Having interventions with a higher power
Interacting with a divine being
Telling me my time is any hour
Informing me that I can approach anytime
Tryna find the root of my problem
Attempting to locate the core of my difficulties
I gotta conquer and solve them
I must overcome and resolve my issues
Tryna find the root of my problem
Attempting to locate the core of my difficulties
I gotta conquer and solve them
I must overcome and resolve my issues
I swear everything I do it feel like I do it backwards
I feel as though my actions are counterproductive
So I keep it pushing
Therefore, I persist and continue onward
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Trenton King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind