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.
Millionaire Ft Andre 3000
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said, him from the country, so him got to be funky
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like a bum
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like the only one
I I I I woke up early this mornin'. I don't think why'all heard me
I woke up early this mornin'. I don't think why'all heard me
I woke up early this mornin', I don't think why'all heard me
Uh uh uh oh uh oh (repeat three times)
Papa, I'm a millionaire
But Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
(Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection)
Papa, I'm a millionaire
But I ain't moving in the right direction
Somethin' ain't right. I know
I am rich. He is rich. She is rich. We is rich
Oh, I am rich. He is rich and she is rich. We is rich (repeat twice)
Where there is cheese, there are rats
Wherever there are rats, there are cats
Wherever there are cats there are dogs
If you got the dogs, you got bitches
Bitches always out to put their paws on your riches
If you got riches, you got glitches
If you got glitches in your life computer
Turn it off and then reboot her
Now you back on
Can't just put the cap on the old bottle once you pop it
That'll spoil it. Go on. Drink it and enjoy it
Mama, I'm a millionaire
What's a girl to do when she just has diamonds. No time. Just pay
What's a girl to do? Instead of me; it's you. Be true
What's a girl to do in a world of greed when you're in pain?
What's a girl to do when she's lost her long time friends
That's life
The song “Millionaire” by Kelis and Andre 3000 explores the concept of wealth and its effects on one’s physical and emotional state. The lyrics start with a comparison between the two characters, the singer and their partner, who are from different backgrounds but have qualities that complement each other. Then the singer, who is a millionaire, expresses that despite their wealth, they feel like a “bum” and the only one in the world. This is a reflection of their emotional state, where they feel hollow and unfulfilled despite their material possessions.
The lyrics then address the singer’s father, who is aware of their wealth but acknowledges that it cannot buy affection, and the singer feels like they’re not moving in the right direction. This points to the idea that money alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment, and highlights the importance of having genuine relationships and a sense of direction in life. The chorus emphasizes the idea of being rich, where the singer repeats the phrase “I am rich” with a sense of ambivalence and uncertainty.
The final lines of the song refer to the challenges that come with wealth, using metaphors like rats, cats, and dogs to represent the people who try to take advantage of someone’s riches. The lyrics end with a series of rhetorical questions that suggest the singer’s confusion and disillusionment with their life despite the material wealth they possess.
Line by Line Meaning
I said, her from the city, so her got to be witty
I said that because she is from the city, she likely has developed wittiness.
She said, him from the country, so him got to be funky
She said that because he is from the country, he likely developed a funky style.
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like a bum
Even though I have millions in my bank account, I still feel like I am not worth much.
Mama, I'm a millionaire, but I feel like the only one
Even though I am a millionaire, I still feel alone.
I I I I woke up early this mornin'. I don't think why'all heard me
I woke up early this morning, and I don't think anyone heard me.
I woke up early this mornin'. I don't think why'all heard me
I woke up early this morning, and I don't think anyone heard me.
I woke up early this mornin', I don't think why'all heard me
I woke up early this morning, and I don't think anyone heard me.
I said I woke up early this mornin' but I still ain't see the sun
I woke up early this morning, but the sun had not yet appeared.
Uh uh uh oh uh oh (repeat three times)
Vocalizations with no clear meaning.
Papa, I'm a millionaire
Father, I have millions of dollars.
But Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection
While I have million dollars, I can not buy love or affection.
(Saks Fifth Ave. don't sell affection)
Parenthetical repetition of the previous line.
Papa, I'm a millionaire
Father, I have millions of dollars.
But I ain't moving in the right direction
Despite my wealth, I am not progressing in life as expected.
Somethin' ain't right. I know
I know that something is not right despite my wealth.
I am rich. He is rich. She is rich. We is rich
I am wealthy, and so are others included in my reference.
Oh, I am rich. He is rich and she is rich. We is rich (repeat twice)
Repetition of previously stated wealth.
Where there is cheese, there are rats
Proverbial statement about the existence of rats where there is food.
Wherever there are rats, there are cats
Felines often follow where rats are present.
Wherever there are cats there are dogs
Canines often follow where felines are present.
If you got the dogs, you got bitches
If you have dogs, then female dogs are also likely present.
Bitches always out to put their paws on your riches
Female dogs are always after your wealth.
If you got riches, you got glitches
If you have wealth, then you likely have problems.
If you got glitches in your life computer
If your life has problems, it is similar to computer glitches.
Turn it off and then reboot her
Suggestion to turn life off and then restart it to resolve problems.
Now you back on
Once resolved, you are back on in life.
Can't just put the cap on the old bottle once you pop it
You cannot return things to the way they used to be once changed.
That'll spoil it. Go on. Drink it and enjoy it
Metaphor suggesting that you should enjoy life as it is.
Mama, I'm a millionaire
Mother, I have millions of dollars.
What's a girl to do when she just has diamonds. No time. Just pay
A girl with diamonds but no free time to enjoy cannot do much but pay bills.
What's a girl to do? Instead of me; it's you. Be true
In the absence of diamonds, you should be true to yourself.
What's a girl to do in a world of greed when you're in pain?
When the world is greedy and you are in pain, there are no solutions.
What's a girl to do when she's lost her long time friends
When a girl loses her friends, she may feel lost.
That's life
End statement that life is what it is despite its good and bad aspects.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IVAR LISINSKI, GAVIN JONES, ROBERT HANNA, NINOS HANNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@midnightrayne2469
The song, the beat, the lyrics, the adorable kids, the video! I love it all! It’s mesmerizing. The early 2000’s was a beautiful time.
Blessed🥰
@MaisonwwUntilusDavis
It’s not better than all my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
@quesoqueso7598
Depends on what you like more
@PeepersT
These lyrics just hit different during this time we're living through, this song was years ahead of its time. At the time I thought it was a banger and still do, but these lyrics! "I know I ain't rich, 'til he is rich, 'til she rich, and we is rich"? "No time, just pay"? Damn. Criminally underrated.
@vhsuniverse2624
idk if u listen to kelis religiously, but her song called ghetto children is also criminally underrated and timeless. Check it out if you havent
@saritamilla9177
Not really ahead of the time. That sentiment is timeless. Valid from prehistory all the way far into the future.
@vhsuniverse2624
@@saritamilla9177 i think they just mean that it can be enjoyed today as though it was made for today's style. Obviously, some of the foundations to today's music whether one agrees or not, but didnt receive much recognition.
@cali22boi
@@vhsuniverse2624 wasn't that written by Pharrell Williams?
@feeniix6
Kelis is soooo underrated. Its sad.
@reginageorge9125
I don’t feel like real people need the notoriety 🧑🏽🎤🖕🏽👻💩👾😍