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.
In Public feat Nas
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like being single (ha ha)
Outside, in my mind (Get Tasty)
I liked the way we were (Cookies, Tasty)
(Tasty, yeah, let's go)
He was next to me (come closer)
Our flight was s'posed to leave around 2:53
Is what would he do if I dropped down to my knees
I want to play a game
If someone come in, it don't matter, just the same (I like it)
Try something fun with me
Let's take our clothes off all over the balcony
[Chorus]
Let's get it on in public
Just let it go, I promise that you'll love it
Oh Daddy, don't you want to be my soldier? (yeah)
Ooh-ooh, let's get it on in public, ooh
Don't try to run from me
I'll make your toes curl up and make your body scream
Come take a walk with me
We can do it over there by all the trees
Drive this car real fast
I'll lay my head and I'll make your body blast
Ow!
[Chorus]
Let's make a movie baby (Sit over there)
Can we get away with it? (Open your legs)
I'll be an animal (yeah)
All lights on (I want to see you)
I like it when we do it to this song (You like that)
Let's make a movie baby
Can we get away with it? (I'll be directing, heh)
So nasty
All lights on (I like to see)
I like it when we do it to this song (Yeah, yeah yeah)
Yeah? Talk to me
The pussy or the mouth? That is the question (Okay) like Shakespeare
But my erection is the case here (yeah)
I ain't got time to drive you all the way home
But instead I can slide you to a club bathroom (Okay)
Or a restaurant's men's room
Then I can zoom in your womb
We both get what we want (Okay), then we can assume
To doing what we was, smokin' that bud and chillin'
But first I got it up, before anything, you willing?
To win it, it's animal behavior
La chic, la freak-out, with a sexy beast ma (yeah?), who slays ya
This is for the mature who love the natural love
Making outdoors on the hood of your car (Oh, yeah)
Nas is good at it all when it comes to givin' it ?war?
Do I have to convince you now?
We don't need hotel keys
We jump in the trunk and stain everything upside ya G-string
[Chorus: x2]
So nasty, girl
If they gon' see us, cool, they gon' see us (ha ha)
I think they seen us, ha ha ha ha
Kelis, sexy beast (yeah)
Yeah, Nasty Nas (that's my boy)
Yeah, uh, outside, in my ride, ha
Let's ride, ma
Yeah, let's go
The song “In Public” by Kelis and Nas is an explicit exploration of sexual desire and passionate lust between two people. The track opens with Kelis admitting that she enjoys being single and then quickly transitions to details about the couple's trysts outside and in public areas. The lyrics are explicit, and Kelis and Nas describe in vivid detail their fantasy of engaging in sexual acts in public areas with the added excitement of not getting caught. The couple is so consumed with their passion that they are willing to engage in sexual acts in bathrooms, car trunks, and anywhere else they can get away with it.
The chorus of “Let's get it on in public, just let it go, I promise that you'll love it” is a seductive invitation to engage in the moment and embrace desires with no judgment. It is a song that explores human intimacy and passion in the most sensual way possible. The song is not about sex but sexual desire and passion existing between two adults. The lyrics of “In Public” are all about exploring the moment, enjoying each other's bodies, and seizing the moment of intense passion. The lyrics are a graphic depiction of sexual passion and the sensations that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
You see, it's this thing
I have a certain thing I enjoy doing
I like being single
I enjoy the freedom of not being tied down to a relationship
Outside, in my mind
I am enjoying a fantasy in my head
I liked the way we were
I enjoyed the previous state of our relationship
(Tasty, yeah, let's go)
Let's proceed
He was next to me
I was with my partner
Our flight was s'posed to leave around 2:53
We had a specific travel schedule
All I wanted to see
I was curious about my partner's reaction
Is what would he do if I dropped down to my knees
I was testing the limits of our public display of affection
I want to play a game
I want to do something spontaneous and fun
If someone come in, it don't matter, just the same (I like it)
I enjoy taking risks and getting caught
Try something fun with me
Let's have an adventure together
Let's take our clothes off all over the balcony
Let's have sex in public
Let's get it on in public
Let's have sex in a public place
Just let it go, I promise that you'll love it
Let's not worry about consequences and just have fun
Oh Daddy, don't you want to be my soldier? (yeah)
I am asking my partner to be bold and adventurous with me
Don't try to run from me
Don't be scared and back out
I'll make your toes curl up and make your body scream
I'll make sure you have an amazing orgasm
Come take a walk with me
Let's go somewhere we can be alone
We can do it over there by all the trees
Let's have sex outdoors
Let's make a movie baby
Let's have sex on camera
Can we get away with it? (Open your legs)
Can we have sex without getting caught?
I'll be an animal (yeah)
I'll be passionate and wild
All lights on (I want to see you)
I want to have sex while being watched
I like it when we do it to this song (You like that)
I enjoy having sex to this specific song
The pussy or the mouth? That is the question (Okay) like Shakespeare
I'm asking my partner what they prefer - oral sex or vaginal sex
But my erection is the case here (yeah)
My arousal is influencing the situation
I ain't got time to drive you all the way home
I don't have time for a long-term relationship
But instead I can slide you to a club bathroom (Okay)
Let's have sex in a public restroom
Then I can zoom in your womb
I will be long-lasting and vigorous
We both get what we want (Okay), then we can assume
Let's satisfy each other's desires and then proceed
To doing what we was, smokin' that bud and chillin'
Let's relax after we had sex
But first I got it up, before anything, you willing?
Let's have sex now
To win it, it's animal behavior
Let's unleash our primal desires
La chic, la freak-out, with a sexy beast ma (yeah?), who slays ya
We will be wild and intense together
This is for the mature who love the natural love
This is for people who enjoy having sex outdoors and in public
Making outdoors on the hood of your car (Oh, yeah)
Let's have sex on the car hood
Nas is good at it all when it comes to givin' it ?war?
I am skilled at giving great sex
Do I have to convince you now?
Are you ready to have sex now?
We don't need hotel keys
We can have sex anywhere
We jump in the trunk and stain everything upside ya G-string
Let's have sex in the back of the car
So nasty, girl
This is so perverse
If they gon' see us, cool, they gon' see us (ha ha)
If we get caught having sex in public, we don't care
Kelis, sexy beast (yeah)
I am confident and sensual
Yeah, Nasty Nas (that's my boy)
My partner and I are both enjoying this experience
Yeah, uh, outside, in my ride, ha
We are having sex in a car
Let's ride, ma
Let's continue this adventure
Yeah, let's go
Let's proceed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANA STINSON, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind