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.
Scream
Kelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stuck in a race in the wrong line
When it all came down on me.
And I haven't had faith for such a long time
Am I outta place or out of my mind
Should it all fall down on me
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to sing so just scream
You'll never know
If you don't let it out
You've had enough
They'll call your bluff
You cant back down lost in a crowd
You've won the right to scream and shout
They'll talk about you lost your cool
There is no point who makes the rules
So lets get to it
Now you'll prove it
Break out
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Been running in place for such a long time
Stuck in a race in the wrong line
When it all came down on me.
And I haven't had faith for such a long time
Am I outta place or out of my mind
Should it all fall down on me
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to sing so just scream
Sound the alarm
Raise your arms
Your on your own
Your not alone
Big city got you on the ground
Afraid to fight don't make a sound
So lets get to it
Now you'll prove it
Push back
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Scream and shout
Been running in place for such a long time
Stuck in a race in the wrong line
When it all came down on me.
And I haven't had faith for such a long time
Am I outta place or out of my mind
Should it all fall down on me
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to live so just dream
Its not enough to sing so just scream
In Kelis's song Scream, the artist recounts feeling stuck and lost, like she is running in place and stuck in a race in the wrong direction. The weight of the world seems to come down on her, and she hasn't had faith in a long time. But instead of accepting defeat, Kelis encourages listeners to dream and not settle for a life that is merely "enough." She emphasizes that it's essential not only to live but to scream and shout, to let out our emotions and passions, and refuse to back down in the face of adversity.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Scream and shout" four times, emphasizing the need to express oneself fully and without hesitation. Kelis acknowledges that speaking out may make others talk about you, but there is no point in playing by the rules of others, and it's time to push back. The song's lyrics also hint at self-doubt and not feeling right out of place, but the artist encourages listeners not to give up and to embrace their identity fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Been running in place for such a long time
I have been stuck and not progressing for a long time
Stuck in a race in the wrong line
I feel like I am competing in the wrong field
When it all came down on me.
I faced a tough situation
And I haven't had faith for such a long time
I lost my belief in myself a long time ago
Am I outta place or out of my mind
I am questioning myself whether I am in the right place or not
Should it all fall down on me
I fear that everything might crash down on me
Its not enough to live so just dream
Mere dreaming is not the solution to this problem
Its not enough to sing so just scream
Simply singing about problems is not enough, action is necessary
You'll never know
You will never know the outcome unless you try
If you don't let it out
If you don't express yourself, you are holding yourself back
You've had enough
You have suffered enough already
They'll call your bluff
Some people may doubt that you can succeed in what you are trying to do
You cant back down lost in a crowd
Once you start on this path, you cannot quit or else you will get lost in the crowd
You've won the right to scream and shout
You have gained the right to express yourself, even if it means screaming and shouting
They'll talk about you lost your cool
People who doubted you will talk about you losing your composure
There is no point who makes the rules
Rules are arbitrary and can be broken
Sound the alarm
Alert for action
Raise your arms
Positioning yourself to take action
Your on your own
Ultimately, you have to take responsibility for your own life
Your not alone
Others may have experienced the same and can relate
Big city got you on the ground
The environment that you find yourself in is holding you back
Afraid to fight don't make a sound
Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and make noise
Push back
Fight back against the forces that are holding you down
Break out
Break free from the limitations and barriers holding you back
Scream and shout
Express yourself in a powerful and passionate way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PIERRE DAVID GUETTA, TOCADISCO EL, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AndrosBabheira
One of the most underrated albums in music history! Flesh Tone is a masterpiece!
@isaacjoseph1807
Agreed
@urlbadman6604
They don’t know about that
@markmenez4097
Not the. OST underrated album in history, it did well during its time .
@AndrosBabheira
@@markmenez4097 Not as well as it should... according to its quality it was a poor performance.
@markmenez4097
@@AndrosBabheira it did what it suppose to do on the dance charts . Melissa was never really a huge huge artist .
@dirrty06
Who’s here in 2023 for this underrated masterpiece from Kelis?
@annaosaka17
Me
@theresalanice
2022
@rogerstalder7184
mhm