Kelis

Kelis Rogers (; born August 21, 1979), known mononymously as Kelis, is an American singer-songwriter and chef. She attended New York’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she learned to play the saxophone and won a spot in the Girls Choir of Harlem. Upon graduation, Rogers soon landed a role as a backing vocalist for the hip hop group Gravediggaz. She then began working with music producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, collectively known as the Neptunes, who led her to sign with Virgin Records in 1998.Rogers released her debut studio album, Kaleidoscope through the label in December 1999. Inspired by jazz and disco music from the 1970s, the album was met with critical acclaim despite domestic commercial failure; it instead found moderate success on international charts. Spawning three singles: “Caught Out There”, “Good Stuff” (featuring Pusha T), and “Get Along with You”, the album reached number 43 on the UK Albums Chart and earned gold certification by the country’s British Phonographic Industry (BPI). She parted ways with Virgin Records after her second album, Wanderland (2001) received poor sales—not seeing a domestic release until 2019. After signing with the Neptunes’ Star Trak Entertainment, Rogers released her third studio album, Tasty (2003) to a commercial breakthrough while earning continued critical praise. The album was led by the singles “Milkshake”, “Trick Me”, “Millionaire” (featuring André 3000), and “In Public” (featuring Nas). Her fourth album, Kelis Was Here (2006)—preceded by the single “Bossy” (featuring Too Short)—reached number ten on the Billboard 200. Rogers took a hiatus from music after its release, venturing into culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu.

She later signed with will.i.am Music Group to release her fifth album, Flesh Tone (2010), which explored electronic music. Two of its singles, “Acapella” and “4th of July (Fireworks)” found success on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and the UK Dance Singles Chart. Tying-in with her culinary career, she released her sixth studio album Food (2014), which became her second top-20 album in the UK and spawned three singles: “Jerk Ribs”, “Rumble” and “Friday Fish Fry”. The album explored a neo soul recording style.Rogers has been recognized at the Brit Awards, Q Awards, NME Awards, and Grammy Awards. Her musical output as a lead and featured artist encompasses various genres. She has collaborated with R&B and hip hop acts including Nas (whom she married in 2005), Busta Rhymes, Outkast, and Puff Daddy; electronic and dance producers such as Calvin Harris, Disclosure, Giorgio Moroder, Timo Maas, and Richard X; pop and rock acts Enrique Iglesias, Duran Duran, and No Doubt; and indie and alternative musicians including Björk and Dave Sitek. She has sold 6 million records worldwide and has had particular success in the United Kingdom, where ten of her singles have peaked within the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.

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