After a short spell working as a model, 5'10" Kelis began appearing on songs by Neptunes produced rappers such as 'Got Your Money' by the late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard. Soon afterwards, she released her debut album, Kaleidoscope in 1999 of which the first single was 'Caught Out There,' a song based on the time she caught her boyfriend cheating on her, and she beat him. The video feautures Kelis leading a pack of angry women down the street screaming 'I hate you so much right now!'. The album was released in USA, Europe and Asia, but did not find much audience in the USA. Not a great success, it only sold 249,000 copies to date.
After finding her largest audience in Europe, Kelis released her second album titled Wanderland (2001) in Europe only, which like her first album did not fare well. It only sold 80,000 copies and was entirely produced by The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) again, similarly to her debut. Only one single was released 'Young Fresh N New'.
In 2003 Kelis finally found fame in her country with the single 'Milkshake,' which was a massive success in Europe, Asia and USA, and she began dating rapper Nas (born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones). The single was from the album 'Tasty' which did not feature the Neptunes as heavily as her previous albums. Singles included the popular Dallas Austin produced 'Trick Me' and 'Millionaire', a collaboration with OutKast's Andre 3000. 'In Public's duet with Nas was the fourth single from the album, becoming a top twenty hit in the U.K. without a video.
In 2006, Kelis presented a new album to her fans, entitled Kelis Was Here, which was originally to be called 'The Puppeteer' which was released on 22 August but was due Fall 2005. No Neptunes tracks appeared on this album, but Kelis used other producers such as Max Martin, Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas) and Raphael Saadiq. Singles are the huge 'Bossy', 'Blindfold Me', and 'Lil Star'. Kelis wrote more of the material on this album than she did for Tasty, and carries off the sci-fi, electronica sounds so often considered Neptunes material without them. This is most evident on the brilliant 'Trilogy'. Kelis has said she wants to make her mark with this album, as it will be the last 'album like this' she will make.
In October 2007, Kelis was dumped by Jive Records, for poor sales of Kelis Was Here but a new album is in the pipeline. The Hits - a greatest hits collection - was released in March 2008, including tracks where she was a featured artist, eg, Got Your Money by Ol' Dirty Bastard , N.E.R.D's Truth or Dare, and Richard X's Finest Dreams.
Kelis then signed to Interscope Records, and released her fifth studio album entitled Flesh Tone in May 2010. The David Guetta-produced Acapella preceded the LP in February of that year. Other singles released from the album include '4th of July (Fireworks)', 'Scream' and 'Brave'. The following year, Kelis appeared on Calvin Harris' 'Bounce'.
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. She pointed out that the organization seems to have little concern about the treatment of people of color and that she will continue wearing fur and eating meat.
Songfacts reported that 'Distance', the planned first single from Kelis’ sixth studio album received its first play during the June 30, 2012 show of The Beatnik Mix on London's Reprezent 107.3FM. At the time, the album was set to be house/dance-inspired, but sessions with TV on The Radio's Dave Sitek led to it taking a soul-like direction.
Kelis completed her sixth album in April 2013, and her new label Ninja Tune confirmed details regarding the album in January the following year, 'Jerk Ribs' served as the lead single for the album; the track had however been previously released as a free download the previous year.
Food was released in April 2014 to critical acclaim. Kelis also appeared for the first time at the annual South by Southwest festival, both performing and serving meals to attendees from her food truck.
Biscuits n Gravy
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Either way you'll be cold if it snows.
Everybody wonders where to get the answer,
Silly thought to think the answer knows where to go.
The push up thought used to seem like a really good idea.
But service as better leave enough alone.
And ever since I was a young girl.
Witnessed evidence and proof.
I'm standing in the middle of some other persons life
The funny thing about that is I'm these are lies
I don't where I'm going
Quite a story where I been
The map seems all wrong and my compass says the end.
If it's already written then my script can be forgiven.
Doesn't matter where I thought I'd be
Time to relish where I've been.
Not everyone believes the story, as for me I love the truth.
And ever since I was a young girl.
Witnessed evidence and proof.
Been given the morning, every dawn brings thoughts of you.
By this time tomorrow I'll be brand new.
Been given the morning,
If you catch me tomorrow I'll be renewed
Been given the morning [x7]
(Thoughts of you)
Been given the morning, every dawn brings thoughts of you.
By this time tomorrow I'll be brand new.
The lyrics of Kelis's song "Biscuits n' Gravy" are a combination of introspective musings and deeper philosophical reflection. The first few lines of the song are about changing circumstances, both internal and external. Kelis seems to suggest that just like hands change with the weather, we must adapt to change and dress accordingly. She also talks about the futility of seeking answers from external sources, implying that the only true answers are already within us.
Kelis then shifts her attention to the subject of beliefs and the importance of finding the truth. She acknowledges that not everyone believes the same story, but she personally values evidence and proof over blind faith. This sentiment is reinforced in the latter half of the song, where Kelis talks about living in the present moment and appreciating what she has been given.
The overall message of the song seems to be that life is unpredictable and constantly changing, but it is ultimately up to us to find our own truth and make the most of every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Hands change like the weather to prepare in a sweater.
I need to be adaptable to life's changes, like wearing a sweater on a cold day.
Either way you'll be cold if it snows.
Regardless of how prepared you are, life can still throw you a curveball.
Everybody wonders where to get the answer,
People are always looking for answers to life's mysteries.
Silly thought to think the answer knows where to go.
It's naive to think that the answers we seek know where to find us.
The push up thought used to seem like a really good idea.
I used to think that pushing myself was always a good idea.
But service as better leave enough alone.
Sometimes it's better to not push past our limits and leave things be.
Not everyone believes the story, as for me I love the truth.
Not everyone believes the same things, but I value honesty and truth.
And ever since I was a young girl.
I've valued truth from a young age.
Witnessed evidence and proof.
Personal experience has shown me the power of evidence and proof.
I'm standing in the middle of some other persons life
I feel like I'm living someone else's life.
The funny thing about that is I'm these are lies
It's ironic that I feel like an imposter in my own life.
I don't where I'm going
I'm not sure what direction my life is headed.
Quite a story where I been
My life has been an interesting journey so far.
The map seems all wrong and my compass says the end.
I feel lost and unsure of where to go next.
If it's already written then my script can be forgiven.
If fate has already predetermined my path, I can forgive myself for any mistakes along the way.
Doesn't matter where I thought I'd be
My expectations for where I thought I'd be don't matter.
Time to relish where I've been.
It's time for me to appreciate my past experiences.
Been given the morning, every dawn brings thoughts of you.
Every morning I wake up with thoughts of someone special.
By this time tomorrow I'll be brand new.
Tomorrow is a new day filled with new opportunities and possibilities.
Been given the morning,
If you catch me tomorrow I'll be renewed,
Been given the morning [x7]
(Thoughts of you)
I'm grateful for every morning and the chance to start fresh, and I think about that special someone throughout the day.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID ANDREW SITEK, KELIS ROGERS, TODD SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tanashee
This is probably one of the best songs Kelis has EVER done. I love this song. This song can take you places.
@feemarie83
This is my favorite song on the album! It stays on repeat!
@SajkoKiler83
This is a masterpiece, brilliant track! So much soul in this , way to go Kelis!
:)
@williamfulgham2010
Kelis has always been underrated become she refuses to fall in line with the greedy producers that want to take advantage of her. She has a natural born perfect pitch and a great soul sound in her music. Her followers will always love her, with her music and her fantastic food recipes. ❤
@LenVrijhof
So amazing!
@valentinomiller2227
Milkshake was a huge hit but it made people dismiss her as a soulless artist, which is far from the truth. I fortunately was with Kelis way before Milkshake. I love you, girl.
@alexmark5780
she has a good voice :O
@Tanashee
If Kelis DOESNT win a grammy for this album ill be disappointed in music period.
@Tanashee
*****
Well thats your opinion for a two year old album lol. It's her best work to me and I think It deserved one.
@tonowari
gosh i love kelis