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.
Young Fresh N New
KELIS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sure look down and call it dumb, huh
I can still see the sun, huh
Do you remember 21, huh?
Can I stay the way, huh?
Grow up today, huh
Can you really blame, huh
Shit you can leave or stay, huh
When the world feels like its closin' in
And you don't know what you know
And you think about what's holdin' you
It's relatives and clothes
Just leave it all behind
You got to get away
You got to get away
Everybody
See the look in my eye, huh
I got to get it out, huh
I don't care if they stare, huh
I learn life's not fair, huh
I'm gonna play while I'm here, huh
I gotta get it out, huh
Just watch me run away now, huh
You know sometimes you just gotta
Hey
Run away from
Home
Run away from (Young, fresh n' new)
Home
Run away from
Home
Run away from
(Got to get)
I've got to get away (away)
Hey, hey hey hey...
(I've got)
I've got to get away (away)
Hey
Run away from
Home
Run away from (young, fresh n' new)
Home
Run away from
Home
Run away from
When the world feels like its closin' in
And you don't know what you know
And you think about what's holdin' you
It's relatives and clothes
Just leave it all behind
You got to get away
You got to get away
Everybody
(Got to get)
I've got to get away (away)
Hey hey hey hey...
(I've got)
Oh I've got to get away (away)
But I've got to be
Young, fresh n' new
Hey
Run away from
Home
Run away from (young, fresh n' new)
Home
Run away from
Home
Run away from
Hey
In "Young, Fresh N New," Kelis is reflecting on the joys of being young and carefree. She starts off by acknowledging that while some people may see her as foolish for enjoying her youth, she refuses to let anyone rain on her parade. She reminds her listeners that life is short and that they should take advantage of the time they have on this earth before it's too late. She then encourages everyone to leave behind the things that weigh them down and to run away from their problems. By doing so, they will gain a new perspective and learn to appreciate the world around them.
Throughout the song, Kelis embraces a rebellious attitude and challenges societal norms. She talks of learning that life is not fair and not caring if people stare at her. She sees life as an adventure and encourages others not to take things too seriously. At the end of the song, she concludes that while she may need to get away from her problems from time to time, she wants to remain "young, fresh n' new."
Overall, "Young, Fresh N New" is a fun and upbeat song about the joys of being young and living in the moment. Kelis encourages listeners to take risks, leave their problems behind, and appreciate the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm young and living fun, huh
I'm enjoying my youth and having fun
Sure look down and call it dumb, huh
People might criticize my fun-loving lifestyle as silly or immature
I can still see the sun, huh
I can still see the bright side of things despite any negativity thrown my way
Do you remember 21, huh?
Do you remember what it was like to be young and carefree?
Can I stay the way, huh?
Can I continue living my life the way I want to?
Grow up today, huh
Should I suddenly become more serious and responsible?
Can you really blame, huh
Can you really blame me for not wanting to grow up too fast?
Shit you can leave or stay, huh
You can choose to stick around and accept me for who I am or you can leave.
When the world feels like its closin' in
When life feels overwhelming and suffocating
And you don't know what you know
When you feel lost and unsure
And you think about what's holdin' you
When you start to think about what's preventing you from being happy
It's relatives and clothes
It could be societal expectations, family pressure or material possessions holding you down.
Just leave it all behind
Let go of these things and focus on yourself
You got to get away
You need to escape from the things that are holding you back
I've got to get away (away)
I need to get away from the negativity and close-mindedness of others
See the look in my eye, huh
You can see my determination and drive
I got to get it out, huh
I need to express myself and get my feelings out
I don't care if they stare, huh
I don't care if people judge me for being different
I learn life's not fair, huh
I've learned that life is not always easy or fair
I'm gonna play while I'm here, huh
I'm going to have fun and enjoy my life while I can
Just watch me run away now, huh
Watch me break free from my constraints and take control of my own life
Sometimes you just gotta
Sometimes you just have to go against the norm and do what makes you happy
But I've got to be
But I have to remain
Young, fresh n' new
Young, free-spirited and unique from the norm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD HUGO, KELIS ROGERS, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@goldenxronnie3739
Underrated. Groundbreaking. She single handily put The Neptune’s sound mainstream. There will never be another Kelis
@thepancakereviewer
As much as I like kelis, I feel like her putting the Neptunes into the mainstream is not true at all, Especially due to her first two albums having barely any hits (hell alot of people would probably consider her a one hit wonder) and even the songs she featured on which were big like What It Is or Got Your Money probably had more help from ODB and Busta already ebing incredibly respected. I'd probably say Mase did more for their mainstream sucess than Kelis given he gave them their first really big hit.
@goldenxronnie3739
Wanderland is arguably her best work and Young Fresh n New still sounds SO fresh. An innovator. Her and The Neptune’s were in their galaxy orbited bag
@laurisaarinen1126
Kaleidoscope and Wanderland are the best, hard to say which one is better. Tasty had many good tunes but it's a total shame she is mostly known for Milkshake... I have never liked that song to be honest. Then you have gems like Shooting Stars, Get Along With You, Suspended and so on... At least some people know Caught Out There.
@xxxTIN0xxx
@Lauri Saarinen Let's not forget "Get Even", "No Turning Back", "Mafia"...she has so many gems from her first two albums but I love everything that she did.
@kieana5
I remember I had to order this CD from the record store and wait over a month for it to come in from the UK to US. Best $25 plus shipping and handling I ever spent!
@chefnil
@kieana5 Nice!
@orlandoamaker3154
@Lauri Saarinen kelis was here at some Jams.....I'm sorry she one of my favorite artist
@UnreleasedUnderratedRnBgrooves
The public then and even now were never ready for Kelis’ innovation when she intertwined her signature melodies over Pharrell’s out-there beats. Little did we know dubstep would later take off as a key element to mainstream pop success years later throughout the 2010s. Thing was Kelis and other contemporaries like Aaliyah & Missy had already set that tone ages prior in r&b. I hate when advanced, futuristic gold like this goes unsung.
@feleciaclemons5074
💯