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.
Jerk Ribs
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His name was just way down in my feet
And this moment, well, I can't breathe
You can't control, something that's getting free
And the rhythm's, exciting
Oh when I start this road full of streets
I'm glad you get this one for cheap
Your beat was like a soundtrack to me
I was the girl, my daddy was the world
He played the notes and keys
He said to look for melody in everything
It feels just like it should
I wake up, this, this is what it looks like
So don't miss this, this is what it looks like
So call on me, it feels just like it should
So call on me
The best favorites, go through me
I press the strings, I love everything
Hurtful pain, forget the time and keep staying
Hold the doors, dance and give it away
Just around me, I hear it
And melody was right over me
But whistleblowers happened for me
It feels just like it should
I wake up, this, this is what it looks like
So don't miss this, this is what it looks like
So call on me, it feels just like it should
So call on me
In Harlem, where I started to breathe
Your beat was like a soundtrack to me
I was the girl, my daddy was the world
He played the notes and keys
He said to look for melody in everything
It feels just like it should
I wake up, this, this is what it looks like
So don't miss this, this is what it looks like
So call on me, it feels just like it should
So call on me
[x3]
The verses of Kelis's song Jerk Ribs are full of personal references, evocative descriptions, and a general theme of the power of music. Kelis talks about how her ear drum reminds her of someone whose name was way down in her feet, which is a play on the idea of someone being buried deep in your heart. She underscores how the rhythm of the music is exciting and how it moves her to her core, something that is so powerful that it cannot be contained or controlled. In the second verse, Kelis references her home in Harlem and how the music there was like a soundtrack to her life. She paints a picture of her father playing notes and keys and teaching her to find melody in everything.
The choruses of the song emphasize how good it feels to be in the moment and to be fully immersed in the music. Kelis urges the listener not to miss out on this experience and to call on her, implying that she is a conduit for that feeling. The repetition of "it feels just like it should" reinforces this idea that music is a natural, necessary part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
And my ear drum, reminds me
The sound of the beat is so strong that it resonates in my ear drums and reminds me of something.
His name was just way down in my feet
The beat is so powerful that it feels like it's coming from deep within my body, especially from my feet.
And this moment, well, I can't breathe
The intensity of the beat has taken over me to the point where I can't focus on anything else nor breathe properly.
You can't control, something that's getting free
The beat is something that cannot be restrained as it is constantly increasing in strength and intensity.
And the rhythm's, exciting
The rhythm of the music is exhilarating and thrilling to my senses.
Oh when I start this road full of streets
I feel like I'm embarking on a journey that's full of twists and turns, just like the streets in a city.
I'm glad you get this one for cheap
I'm pleased that you can experience the song without paying a lot of money for it.
In Harlem, where I started to breathe
Harlem is where I first encountered this music and where it became an integral part of my being.
Your beat was like a soundtrack to me
The beat of the music is like a personal soundtrack to my life that I can always listen to.
I was the girl, my daddy was the world
Growing up, my father was everything to me and music was our bond.
He played the notes and keys
My father was a musician who played different instruments and introduced me to the world of music.
He said to look for melody in everything
My father taught me to find beauty and harmony in all aspects of life, not just in music.
It feels just like it should
The music feels perfect and exactly how it's meant to be, with no need for improvement or alteration.
I wake up, this, this is what it looks like
I wake up each morning and realize that this music is a significant part of my life and something that I cherish deeply.
So don't miss this, this is what it looks like
I encourage others not to miss out on this incredible experience and to appreciate the beauty of the music.
So call on me, it feels just like it should
I'm always here to share and embrace the music with anyone who wants to experience it and it will always feel perfect as it is.
The best favorites, go through me
As someone who loves music, I am a good judge of what is great and the best music always comes through me.
I press the strings, I love everything
As a musician myself, I enjoy making music and appreciating it in all its forms.
Hurtful pain, forget the time and keep staying
The music has the power to make me forget my problems and worries and lose track of time while I stay in the moment.
Hold the doors, dance and give it away
I invite others to join me in dancing to the music and sharing the experience with one another.
Just around me, I hear it
The beat and rhythm of the music is constantly around me, even when I'm not directly listening to it.
And melody was right over me
The melody of the music surrounds me, enveloping me and affecting my mood and emotions.
But whistleblowers happened for me
Even though I'm surrounded by the music, sometimes there are people or things that try to distract me from it.
[x3]
Repeats the previous chorus or stanza three times.
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
TheShadeQueen
I love Kelis. Always making music on her own terms. She creates trends, doesn't follow them.
Adrienne Martin
The ones who generally want to do what they want to do, go through the bs to get there.
l kofie
AGREED....Since the first album.
Pamela Jacobs
Yes indeed she does
joyelle
This songs makes me want to dance.. outside with my friends.. at dusk..with wine and great Food !! Love all her songs
Waheed Rehman
Kelis does reinvention better than most, this may not be commercial enough to appeal to the masses, but I love how different it is to everything in the R&B world, what a great Mix of different genres.
B!Babyboomer Jesus
Amen
greattimed
She got a top 20 album in England!!! Proud of her! Love the new music!
Blue Lotus
I wish she was top 10, but it's okay. And her new music is great. I usually listen to only electronic music plus some Lana and Florence, but I hate R&B, and downloaded this album out of curiousity. And I was so surprised that I liked it! Friday Fish Fry is my fav song.
greattimed
She released the album on such a small label so it is understandable.