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.
Fire
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spragga Benz on the track, get over here Kelis
It's like that, it's that Kelis, grazzily insane
Kelis and Sparaggess, dance Kelis
Hollow, watch a little
Go left, go right, go all day, go all night
Keep doing it to the right, in the pocket stuck it up tight
Watcha body do good? Don't move it, babe
Hold it right there, I'm a do my own thing over here
Play all night, here I come
Well, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm comin' through
So hold steady feel the fire like the suns on you
Get it up, keep it up dance with me all night long
No problem, you know I got the flow, come on, let's go
I got Kelis with me and the fire is growing up slow
Where there's fire there danger, don't wanna know where time
Sparks are flying between with me, exchanging blazes
So hurt somebodies bound together, I feel the heat
From my fire and there no return, I don't wanna, let's go
(Go, here we go, watch your flow, graises)
Go left, go right, go all day, let's not fight
Keep listening hold me up tight, don't let me go
It's early in the night, give it up now, hit it too good
Watch me close up, watch my body do good, don't move it
Babe, hold me right there, I'm a do my own thing over here
Play all night here I come
Well, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm comin' through
So hold steady feel the fire like the suns on you
Get it up, keep it up, dance with me all night long
No problem, you know, I got the flow
Come on, let's go I got Kelis with me
And the fire is growing up slow
Where there's fire there danger, don't wanna know where time
Sparks are flying between with me, exchanging blazes
So hurt somebodies bound together, I feel the heat
From my fire and there no return, I don't wanna, let's go
(Go, here we go, here we go, red square)
Danger, danger, let's all be aware, we be raisin' the roof on air
Feelin' excitment, it's in the air, Kelis be changin' the atmosphere
Look out ladies about next year, all our root boys
The one other, the way you movin' your lips
And your sexy lips and loosin' beyond compare
Where there's fire there danger, don't wanna know where time
Sparks are flying between with me, exchanging blazes
So hurt somebodies bound together, I feel the heat
From my fire and there no return, I don't wanna, let's go
(Go, here we go, watch your flow, graises)
The song "Fire" by Kelis featuring Spragga Benz is an upbeat and energetic track about the feeling of being on fire and the danger and excitement that comes along with it. The lyrics are full of metaphors about flames, dancing, and the thrill of being alive. The song starts off with Spragga Benz hyping up Kelis to get her ready to bring the fire.
In the chorus, Kelis urges listeners to dance and move to the beat, building up to an explosive chorus where she declares that the fire is growing slowly but surely. The lyrics hint at the idea that the fire can't be contained and is dangerous in its intensity, but also exhilarating and thrilling.
The verse lyrics are full of commandments to the listener to keep dancing and not to stop moving. Kelis emphasizes her own confidence in her dancing ability and the flow of the music, urging listeners to come along for the ride. The lines about "exchanging blazes" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the passion and intensity of romantic relationships, with Kelis implying that the fire she's feeling could lead to something explosive and unforgettable.
All in all, "Fire" is an empowering and motivating song about embracing energy, passion, and the thrill of living.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay Kelis,making it outta here
Kelis is ready to leave and start something new
Spragga Benz on the track, get over here Kelis
Spragga Benz invited Kelis to join him on this track
It's like that, it's that Kelis, grazzily insane
Kelis brings her unique, crazy style to the song
Kelis and Sparaggess, dance Kelis
Kelis and Spragga Benz are dancing to their own beat
Hollow, watch a little
They're putting on a show, so watch and enjoy
Go left, go right, go all day, go all night
They're encouraging listeners to dance and keep moving
Keep doing it to the right, in the pocket stuck it up tight
They're asking listeners to keep dancing with precision and perfection
Build it up now, get it too good, I'm in patience
They're building up the energy and excitement and asking listeners to match their enthusiasm
Watcha body do good? Don't move it, babe
They're enjoying the way people are dancing and don't want them to stop
Hold it right there, I'm a do my own thing over here
Kelis wants to continue dancing in her own unique style
Play all night, here I come
They plan on dancing and performing all night long
Well, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm comin' through
Kelis is ready to give it her all and perform
So hold steady feel the fire like the suns on you
The energy and excitement of the song is like standing in the heat of the sun
Get it up, keep it up dance with me all night long
They want listeners to keep dancing with them for the whole night
No problem, you know I got the flow, come on, let's go
Kelis is confident in her skills and is ready to keep performing
I got Kelis with me and the fire is growing up slow
Kelis is part of the song and she's adding fuel to the fire
Where there's fire there danger, don't wanna know where time
With all the energy and excitement, there's always a risk that something might go wrong
Sparks are flying between with me, exchanging blazes
There's an intense energy and synergy between Kelis and Spragga Benz
So hurt somebodies bound together, I feel the heat
The energy between them is so strong that it feels like they're physically connected
From my fire and there no return, I don't wanna, let's go
Kelis is fully committed to performing and there's no turning back now
(Go, here we go, watch your flow, graises)
They're getting hyped and encouraging people to keep going (not sure what 'graises' means)
Danger, danger, let's all be aware, we be raisin' the roof on air
They're aware of the risks of performing at this level, but they're still going to give it their all
Feelin' excitment, it's in the air, Kelis be changin' the atmosphere
The energy and excitement is palpable and Kelis is adding to it
Look out ladies about next year, all our root boys
It's a warning that things are only going to get bigger and better next year
The one other, the way you movin' your lips
They're noticing people's moves and style on the dance floor
And your sexy lips and loosin' beyond compare
They're impressed by people's style, especially how they're able to loosen up and get lost in the music
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEITH ERNESTO HARRIS, PRIESE PRINCE LAMONT BOARD, WILLIAM ADAMS, KELIS ROGERS, GEORGE PAJON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lemme C.
This is the final version. This was on the UK version of Kelis Was Here.
MyFriendIsaac
Still 💣🔥🥵
Goldenrod636
I wonder if she was gonna make this a single hence the remix with Sean Paul. This isn't a demo. This was the version on the international version.
Jacob Flores
BLOODSHY AND AVANT CLASSIC
N Y
Exactly