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.
Emancipate
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's when you meet each other halfway
I'm en route
[Chorus]
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Emancipate yourself
Look in your own mirror and know who you are
Live your life accordingly the truth is on your arm
And it's good, baby
You've done good, baby
Be just who you are make no apologies
And when it's said and done who's really sorry
You're ok, baby
It's ok, baby
[Chorus]
Dare to be a better you each chance you get
We're all human and fall short and nothing's over yet
It's up to you, baby
Give 'em you, baby
Life's too short to waste your time do what you love
Don't be ashamed it's better have peace by a dove
Give 'em you, baby
Give 'em room, baby
[Chorus]
Like the phoenix from the ashes
Or a sunrise off in the distance
I'll try again, I'll try again
I'll try again, we'll try again
Like the phoenix from the ashes
Or a sunrise off in the distance
I'll try again, I'll try again
I'll try again, we'll try again
[Chorus]
The song "Emancipate" by Kelis is a call for self-emancipation and self-love. The first verse talks about the importance of meeting each other halfway in a relationship and how this represents love. However, Kelis also explains that love should not make you sacrifice yourself completely to please the other person. The chorus, with the repetition of the phrase "Emancipate yourself" is a call to action for the listener to free themselves from any emotional chains that are holding them back from being themselves.
The second verse gives specific advice on how to emancipate oneself. Kelis encourages her listeners to reflect on who they truly are and to live accordingly. She also reassures them that they are doing good and that they should never apologize for being themselves. The bridge reminds the listener that it's okay to make mistakes and to keep trying to be a better version of themselves. The final chorus brings a sense of hope and empowerment, as Kelis declares that she and her listeners will keep trying again until they achieve the freedom they seek.
Overall, "Emancipate" is a powerful anthem of self-love and self-acceptance. It urges the listener to break free from any constraints and to embrace their true selves. It encourages them to be confident, to take risks, and to never stop trying to be their best selves. In a world where conformity and fitting in can be stifling, this song is a reminder that the greatest gift you can give yourself is the freedom to be who you truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you what love is
I am about to explain what love truly means
It's when you meet each other halfway
Love is about compromise and meeting in the middle
I'm en route
I am on my way to finding that love
Emancipate yourself
Free yourself from anything that holds you back
Look in your own mirror and know who you are
Take a good look at yourself and understand your true identity
Live your life accordingly the truth is on your arm
Live in accordance with your true self and values
And it's good, baby
This is a positive thing
You've done good, baby
You have done a good job so far
Be just who you are make no apologies
Be yourself and do not apologize for it
And when it's said and done who's really sorry
In the end, who truly regrets being themselves?
You're ok, baby
It's okay to be yourself
It's ok, baby
It's okay to make mistakes or not be perfect
Dare to be a better you each chance you get
Take any opportunity to improve and better yourself
We're all human and fall short and nothing's over yet
We all make mistakes and there's still time to make things right
It's up to you, baby
You have the power to change and improve yourself
Give 'em you, baby
Be true to yourself and show others who you really are
Life's too short to waste your time do what you love
Life is precious and should not be spent doing things you don't enjoy
Don't be ashamed it's better have peace by a dove
Do not be ashamed of who you are, it's better to have peace than conflict
Give 'em you, baby
Show others who you really are
Give 'em room, baby
Allow others to be themselves and give them space
Like the phoenix from the ashes
Like being born again from the ashes of the past
Or a sunrise off in the distance
Like a new day beginning in the horizon
I'll try again, I'll try again
I will keep trying until I succeed
We'll try again
We will all keep trying until we succeed
Emancipate yourself
Free yourself from anything that holds you back
Emancipate yourself
Free yourself from anything that holds you back
Emancipate yourself
Free yourself from anything that holds you back
Emancipate yourself
Free yourself from anything that holds you back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALESSANDRO BENASSI, MARCO BENASSI, JEAN KOUAME, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind