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 Kelisโ 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.
Ghetto Children
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ghetto children
Wake up wake up
Ghetto children
Ghetto boy
You're my life
And there's so much for you to protect and to say
Don't hit your wife
'Cause your kids may grow up someday to be this way
You don't know
What you may be
To some boy
In society
There's a secret to why
You must survive
So listen to what we say
'Cause this type of shit happens everyday
Go for yours cause dreams come true
And this is the message we bring to you
Hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
No matter what teachers say to you
Ghetto children are beautiful
Say hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
Baby girl
You're my life
It's important that you smile
And never cry
Study math and your sciences
Maybe you'll figure why we subtract and multiply
You don't know
What you may be
To some girl
In society
There's a secret to why we must survive
So listen to what we say
'Cause this type of shit happens everyday
Go for yours cause dreams come true
And this is the message we bring to you
Hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
No matter what teachers say to you
Ghetto children are beautiful
Say hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
Crack town
Ghetto in the city
Buildings are abandoned
The girls are still pretty
A child looks in the mirror
Here to see my life clearer
All I see is ghetto keys to this jet black carrera
Of course 911 don't mean help
The only ones that need help is them sons without wealth
It's apparent that this nation
They don't know what they facin
Young natural born killers
And these street corner masons
You want that type of money
That you see in a mob flick
Would you stash it your wallet?
Yes with the lumps under my carpet
Listen to your heart
Why should I listen to you?
I was here from the start
But you don't bring no money through
Look I only fill capes
And to get it I kill jakes
By the time I'm 21
I'll be the ghetto bill gates
You were born to be an angel
That it was in my brain too
Now the only star spangled
Is coming outta my bangle
Now that I'm out (ghetto ghetto boy)
It's like the whole world blames you
Although the ghetto's nothing like the conclusion I came to
Your friends ill you claimin' both sides (ghetto ghetto girl)
Now they don't claim you
Ghetto children change the world
Don't let it change you
Go for yours cause dreams come true
And this is the message we bring to you
Hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
No matter what teachers say to you
Ghetto children are beautiful
Say hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
Go for yours cause dreams come true
And this is the message we bring to you
Hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
No matter what teachers say to you
Ghetto children are beautiful
Say hey now hey now now
Hey now hey now now
Little children the ones that caught up
The whole world wants to be a part of
A little ghetto thang
A little ghetto thang (to fade)
The lyrics of Ghetto Children by Kelis featuring Marc Dorsey and N.E.R.D. serve as a message of hope and empowerment for children living in urban areas. The song is a call to action, urging children to wake up and realize their potential. The lyrics address the struggles and challenges that come with growing up in a ghetto, and the need to rise above them. The song recognizes the beauty and worth of ghetto children and encourages them to pursue their dreams.
The song is split into two verses, each focused on a different gender. The first verse addresses ghetto boys, emphasizing the importance of protecting their families and avoiding violence. It highlights the potential impact that one's actions can have on society and encourages boys to survive and thrive. The second verse addresses ghetto girls, urging them to smile, study hard, and recognize their worth. The lyrics suggest that through education and hard work, ghetto children can rise above their circumstances and achieve their dreams.
Ghetto Children is a powerful and inspiring song that celebrates the resilience and strength of children growing up in challenging environments. It encourages children to believe in themselves and their potential, and to work hard to achieve their goals, despite the obstacles they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up wake up
We want you to pay attention
Ghetto children
Kids who grow up in poor neighborhoods
Wake up wake up
We want you to pay attention
Ghetto children
Kids who grow up in poor neighborhoods
Ghetto boy
Young boy from the ghetto
You're my life
You matter to me
And there's so much for you to protect and to say
There are important things that you have to take care of and to voice out
And baby boy
Young boy from the ghetto
Don't hit your wife
Don't be violent towards your partner
'Cause your kids may grow up someday to be this way
Your kids might end up being violent too
You don't know
You're not aware
What you may be
What role you might play
To some boy
To a young boy somewhere
In society
In the world we live in
There's a secret to why
There's a reason why
You must survive
You have to make it through tough times
So listen to what we say
Pay attention to our message
'Cause this type of shit happens everyday
Violence and hardship in the ghetto are common occurrences
Go for yours cause dreams come true
Work towards your goals because they can be achieved
And this is the message we bring to you
This is what we want to tell you
Hey now hey now now
Listen up
No matter what teachers say to you
Don't let negative opinions discourage you
Ghetto children are beautiful
Kids from poor neighborhoods have value and worth
Say hey now hey now now
Listen up
Baby girl
Young girl from the ghetto
You're my life
You matter to me
It's important that you smile
You should be happy
And never cry
Don't be sad
Study math and your sciences
Learn and work hard in these subjects
Maybe you'll figure why we subtract and multiply
You might understand the importance of these skills
Crack town
Neighborhood affected by drug addiction
Ghetto in the city
Poor area in the urban center
Buildings are abandoned
Structures are left unused
The girls are still pretty
Despite the difficult circumstances, people can still be attractive
A child looks in the mirror
A young person stares at their reflection
Here to see my life clearer
Trying to gain clarity about their existence
All I see is ghetto keys to this jet black carrera
The only way out is through illegal activity
Of course 911 don't mean help
Emergency services aren't always effective in the ghetto
The only ones that need help is them sons without wealth
The poor need assistance
It's apparent that this nation
The country as a whole
They don't know what they facin
They are ignorant about the reality of the ghetto
Young natural born killers
Kids in the ghetto can become killers
And these street corner masons
People involved in street crime
You want that type of money
You desire wealth obtained through crime
That you see in a mob flick
That you see in mafia movies
Would you stash it your wallet?
Would you hide it in your wallet?
Yes with the lumps under my carpet
Yes, I would hide it under my carpet
Listen to your heart
Follow your instincts
Why should I listen to you?
Why should I take your advice?
I was here from the start
I've been in the ghetto for a long time
But you don't bring no money through
But you haven't made any money either
Look I only fill capes
My role is to be a criminal
And to get it I kill jakes
I have to kill law enforcement officers to succeed
By the time I'm 21
Before I turn 21
I'll be the ghetto bill gates
I'll be the richest person in the ghetto
You were born to be an angel
You were meant to be a good person
That it was in my brain too
I also had good intentions
Now the only star spangled
The thing I'm known for
Is coming outta my bangle
Is coming from my jewelry
Now that I'm out (ghetto ghetto boy)
Now that I'm not naive anymore
It's like the whole world blames you
People look down on you because of where you come from
Although the ghetto's nothing like the conclusion I came to
Despite its negative image, the ghetto is not what I thought it was
Your friends ill you claimin' both sides (ghetto ghetto girl)
Your friends betray you by being part of two gangs
Now they don't claim you
Now they don't support you
Ghetto children change the world
Kids who grow up in poverty can make a difference
Don't let it change you
Don't let the hardships of the ghetto affect who you are
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD HUGO, RICKY M L WALTERS, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
De'Ron World
This deserved a music video ๐ญ๐๐ฝ
vqgav
It has 21 comments
KreativeKontrolz
Maybe if the Neptune's weren't robbing her blind and promoted her better๐ขkelis was ahead of her time and these songs are still legit๐ฏ
DeadPool Lil Cuzin
@KreativeKontrolz they probably wrote this song for her lol
blade brown
โ@KreativeKontrolz it wasn't their job to promote her. They did their part, which was help create the records we hear today. It was Virgin's incompetence stateside that failed her ultimately.
He Hj
This song makes me believe in myself and others even tho we go through hardships i feel sunshine from this song
Roger Roberto
Mรบsica muito boa bastante brasileiros curtindo top de ver โค
Raw Ross
This album is so beautiful.
Luciene e lawany Silva Delmiro
Som bom nunca morreโค
Troy Jones
Been bumping her ever since she came out, definitely a Kelis fan