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.
Public
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 lyrics of Kelis and Nas's "In Public" convey a sexy and risque exploration of public intimacy. Kelis declares that she likes being single, but is joined by Nas as they engage in a series of sexual encounters in public places. The song starts off with Kelis reminiscing about how much she enjoyed being with Nas. She suggests playing a game where they have sex in public places, regardless of who might see them. Throughout the song, they detail different locations they could have sex, promising each other an exhilarating experience. Nas speaks about how it doesn't matter where they do it, as long as they both get what they want in the end. The song continues with sexually explicit language, describing various locations they could fool around with each other.
The song is a testament to the lust and excitement of public sex, one of the ultimate taboos. Kelis puts forward the idea that there is a thrill that comes with engaging in sexual activity in public, despite the risk of being caught. She celebrates the excitement that comes with being with someone she is attracted to and is not afraid to indulge in their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
You see, it's this thing
There's something that I'm into
I like being single
I enjoy being unattached
Outside, in my mind
I'm daydreaming about being outside
I liked the way we were
I enjoyed our previous relationship
He was next to me
He was physically close to me
Our flight was s'posed to leave around 2:53
We were supposed to catch a flight soon
All I wanted to see
I was curious about his reaction
Is what would he do if I dropped down to my knees
I wondered how he'd respond if I performed a sexual act
I want to play a game
I want to experience something new and exciting
If someone come in, it don't matter, just the same
I don't care if someone catches us in the act
Try something fun with me
Let's experiment together
Let's take our clothes off all over the balcony
Let's have sex in a bold, public space
Let's get it on in public
Let's engage in sexual activity in a public place
Just let it go, I promise that you'll love it
Relax and enjoy the experience, I guarantee you'll enjoy it
Oh Daddy, don't you want to be my soldier?
A playful reference to him being her partner in this sexual adventure
Don't try to run from me
Don't be afraid, let's pursue this
I'll make your toes curl up and make your body scream
I'll give you pleasure beyond your imagination
Come take a walk with me
Let's explore our sexual desires together
We can do it over there by all the trees
Let's have sex in nature
Let's make a movie baby
Let's capture this experience on video
Can we get away with it?
Can we have public sex without getting caught?
I'll be an animal
I'll be passionate and wild with you
All lights on
I want to see everything in this sexual encounter
I like it when we do it to this song
This song enhances our sexual experience
The pussy or the mouth? That is the question
A reference to oral sex
But my erection is the case here
I'm sexually aroused and ready to act
I ain't got time to drive you all the way home
We're already caught up in passion, let's not waste time
But instead I can slide you to a club bathroom
Let's have sex in the bathroom of a crowded place
Or a restaurant's men's room
Let's have sex in the men's room of a public place
Then I can zoom in your womb
I want to give you intense pleasure
We both get what we want, then we can assume
We both get pleasure from this sexual encounter
To doing what we was, smokin' that bud and chillin'
After sex we can relax and smoke marijuana
But first I got it up, before anything, you willing?
But first, are you ready for sex?
To win it, it's animal behavior
To fully engage in sex, we have to be primal and passionate
La chic, la freak-out, with a sexy beast ma, who slays ya
We'll be exotic, wild and adventurous together
This is for the mature who love the natural love
This is for those who enjoy sex in its natural form
Making outdoors on the hood of your car
Let's have sex outside, on the car's hood
Nas is good at it all when it comes to givin' it ?war?
Nas is experienced and skilled in satisfying his partners sexually
We don't need hotel keys
We can have sex wherever we please, without needing a hotel room
We jump in the trunk and stain everything upside ya G-string
We can have sex in the trunk of the car, and leave a mess behind
So nasty, girl
This sexual experience will be scandalous and wild
If they gon' see us, cool, they gon' see us
I'm not afraid of being caught in the act
Kelis, sexy beast
Kelis is passionate and adventurous in the bedroom
Nasty Nas,
Nas is skilled in sexual pleasure
Yeah, uh, outside, in my ride, ha
We can have sex outside, in my car
Let's ride, ma
Let's go on this sexual adventure together
Yeah, let's go
Let's engage in adventurous sex
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANA STINSON, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind