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.
What's That Right There
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
This just might be the flavor you crave nightly
I'll give it to you nicely, oh
So go ahead and try me, them girlies wanna fight me
But you just wanna bite me, oh
When you get some of what I got
It's gonna knock you right off of your socks
This right here is hot, is hot
I put the shimmy on your cocoa pop
He likes it raw, I likes it on top
I got somethin' for that lollipop
And your heart's gonna stop when I drop down
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
What I got will keep you runnin'
Back for more ?cause you'll been wantin'
More of this so what you frontin' for
You know you addicted
I up and got you whipped on it
Lovin' me is hypnotical
When you get some of what I got
It's gonna knock you right off of your socks
This right here is hot, is hot
I put the shimmy on your cocoa pop
He likes it raw, I likes it on top
I got somethin' for that lollipop
And your heart's gonna stop when I drop down
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
She a freak!
She a freak!
Woo! The lil' mama is a freak!
She a tasty treat
So won't you give me somethin' to eat baby?
When you get some of what I got
It's gonna knock you right off of your socks
This right here is hot, is hot
I put the shimmy on your cocoa pop
He likes it raw, I likes it on top
I got something for that lollipop
And your heart's gonna stop when I drop down
Down, down, down
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
What's that right there?
What's that right there?
What's this right here?
Yea
What's this right here?
Yea, what's that right there?
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
The lyrics of Kelis ft. will.i.am's song "What's That Right There" are about sexual desire and seduction. Kelis is curious about what her partner is looking at and asks, "What's that right there?" She is confident in her sexual prowess and invites her partner to try her out, promising that she'll "give it to you nicely." Kelis seems to have a bit of a competitive edge, as she comments that while other women might want to fight her, her partner just wants to "bite" her.
Kelis uses food innuendos throughout the song, referring to her partner's "cocoa pop" and "lollipop." These lyrics suggest that Kelis is using food as a metaphor for pleasure and sex. They also imply that Kelis is unashamedly confident in her sexual desires and willing to use her power to control and satisfy her partner.
Overall, the lyrics of "What's That Right There" are intensely sexual and confident. Kelis embraces her sexuality and seduces her partner with both her words and her body language. The song is a celebration of sexual desire and female empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that right there?
Curious about something specific
What's that right there?
Repeating the question
What's this right here?
Asking about something nearby
Yea
Confirmation or agreement
What's this right here?
Continuing to ask about the nearby thing
Yea, what's that right there?
Still asking about the same thing
Oh, this ain't nothin' but a lil' somethin' that I got
Saying something is not a big deal
Lil' somethin' that I got, lil' somethin' that I got
Repeating that it's not significant
This just might be the flavor you crave nightly
Suggesting that they might like what you have
I'll give it to you nicely, oh
Offering it in a pleasant way
So go ahead and try me, them girlies wanna fight me
Challenging someone to try it, and admitting others may be jealous
But you just wanna bite me, oh
Suggesting someone may be sexually interested
When you get some of what I got
Making a claim about having something desirable
It's gonna knock you right off of your socks
Claiming that it's powerful
This right here is hot, is hot
Saying it's good or sexually tempting
I put the shimmy on your cocoa pop
Suggesting sexual movements or teasing
He likes it raw, I likes it on top
Discussing sexual preferences or activities
I got somethin' for that lollipop
Implying something sexual or teasing
And your heart's gonna stop when I drop down
Suggesting something sexy or provocative
She a freak!
Admiring someone's sexually adventurous nature
She a freak!
Repeating previous statement
Woo! The lil' mama is a freak!
Excited about someone being a sexual deviant
She a tasty treat
Sexually suggestive comment
So won't you give me somethin' to eat baby?
Requesting something sexual or seeking a response
What I got will keep you runnin'
Suggesting something desirable or tempting
Back for more ?cause you'll been wantin'
Implying that someone will want more
More of this so what you frontin' for
Questioning why someone is holding back
You know you addicted
Suggesting someone is hooked or dependent
I up and got you whipped on it
Claiming responsibility for someone's obsession
Lovin' me is hypnotical
Suggesting that loving them is compelling or captivating
Down, down, down
Repeating a falling or sexual movement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: KELIS ROGERS, KEITH HARRIS, WILLIAM ADAMS, GEORGE S CLINTON, PHILIPPE WYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind