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.
Song for the Baby
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like my mother told me.
She always said say yes before you say no and say maybe.
See I never sugar coat any life lessons for you,
'cause I wanna make you equipped for the best.
And I can't always be here to rescue you when life gets crazy.
With you love never dies.
With you love never dies.
'Cause I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
No I can't promise to have all the answers to all of your questions.
But I'll never lie and I'll raise you without; not an obsession.
See I never sugar coat any life lessons for you,
'cause I wanna make you equipped for the best.
And I can't always be here to rescue you when life gets crazy.
But I love you more than you'll ever know.
With you love never dies.
With you love never dies.
'Cause I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
You can do it if you try.
You can do it if you try.
You can do it if you try, try.
You can do it if you try.
You can do it if you try.
You can do it if you try.
You can do it if you try, try.
You can do it if you try.
The lyrics to Kelis's Song for the Baby are a love letter to her newborn child. She begins by acknowledging her mother's advice of saying yes before saying no and saying maybe, suggesting that she will always be supportive of her child and teach them to be open to new experiences. Kelis also recognizes the importance of not sugar coating life lessons, preparing her child for the best and worst of life. She promises to be honest and raise her child without obsession, acknowledging that she won't have all the answers but will always love and support them.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I love you more than you'll ever know," emphasizing the depth of Kelis's love for her child. She believes that with love, anything is possible, and that her child can achieve anything they set their mind to. With the repeated phrase "You can do it if you try," Kelis is instilling confidence and self-belief in her child, empowering them to reach for their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
So I'm writing this letter to you, baby.
I am writing this letter with the intention of imparting some life wisdom to you.
Just like my mother told me.
This is the same advice and wisdom that my own mother gave to me.
She always said say yes before you say no and say maybe.
My mother advised me to always approach situations with a positive and open mindset before immediately shutting them down.
See I never sugar coat any life lessons for you,
I always aim to be honest and upfront with you when giving advice and life lessons.
'cause I wanna make you equipped for the best.
This is because I want you to be well-prepared for all the challenges and opportunities that life may present to you.
And I can't always be here to rescue you when life gets crazy.
I acknowledge that I won't always be able to protect you from difficulties and that sometimes you will have to face them on your own.
But I love you more than you'll ever know.
Despite this, my love for you is unwavering and immeasurable.
With you love never dies.
Love with you is eternal and never fades away.
'Cause I love you more than you'll ever know.
I repeat this message because it's truly how I feel and want you to always remember it.
No I can't promise to have all the answers to all of your questions.
Although I am always here for you, I know that I can't always provide you with a solution to every problem you encounter.
But I'll never lie and I'll raise you without; not an obsession.
However, I promise to always tell you the truth and not become overbearing or overly controlling in my parenting.
You can do it if you try.
This is a message of encouragement and support, letting you know that you have what it takes to succeed.
You can do it if you try, try.
I repeat this message because I believe in you and your abilities to overcome any obstacle.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KELIS ROGERS, PRIESE PRINCE LAMONT BOARD, MICHAEL OJIKE MCHENRY, JEAN BAPTISTE KOUAME, ALAIN GORDON WHYTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind