Kelis discography explained

Artist:Kelis
Studio:6
Live:1
Compilation:1
Singles:40
Music Videos:29

American singer and songwriter Kelis has released six studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, 40 singles (including 21 as a featured artist), and 29 music videos. At age 16, she left her parents' home; at the age of 20 she was signed to Virgin Records.[1] Her debut single, "Caught Out There", was released in 1999, reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart in the United Kingdom. Her debut album, Kaleidoscope, was released in December 1999 and charted at number 144 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 249,000 copies in the country to date. In the United Kingdom, it was certified gold and has sold over 167,000 copies. Two more singles were released from the album: "Good Stuff" which reached the UK top twenty and "Get Along with You" which failed to chart in the US and charted poorly in the UK. In 2001, her second studio album, Wanderland, was released and featured similar "raw emotion and sophisticated musicianship" of her debut album.[2] The album was not released in the United States, however, and the only single, "Young, Fresh n' New", charted poorly.[3]

In 2003, she signed with Arista Records and released the single "Milkshake".[1] The song reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her best-charting single to date. The song was the lead single for the album Tasty, which was released in December 2003. Arista later folded (although it would be relaunched in 2018) and Kelis was transferred to Jive Records.[4] In Europe, she was still signed to Virgin, and singles continued to be released there.[4] Tasty was certified gold in the United States, becoming Kelis's first album to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America. It has sold 535,000 copies in the US to date. In 2006, her next album, Kelis Was Here, was released on Jive Records. The album was preceded by the lead single, "Bossy". The single was certified double platinum in the US and reached the top twenty of the US Hot 100. The album debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 and has sold 160,000 copies in the United States to date. The album's third single, "Lil Star", features Cee-Lo Green, and reached number three in the UK and number eight in Ireland.

In late 2007, Jive dropped Kelis, and she signed to Interscope Records and will.i.am Music Group in 2009. She released her fifth studio album, Flesh Tone, in May 2010. The album saw Kelis departing from her previous R&B sound, and adapting a new dance sound.[5] The album was preceded by the lead single, "Acapella", and spawned three singles that achieved moderate success in the charts; "4th of July (Fireworks)", "Scream" and "Brave". In 2011, Kelis began work on the follow-up to Flesh Tone, however, she left Interscope and signed to Federal Prism, before officially signing to the British independent label Ninja Tune for the release of Food.[6] The album was released on April 18, 2014, and is an R&B and soul album with a diverse musical style that incorporates funk, Afrobeat, Memphis soul, R&B and neo-soul. Its songs feature crackling horns, brass, earthy guitars, simmering electronics and vocals from Kelis that were noted as being breathy, smoky and sultry. The album was viewed as a return to Kelis's previous music prior to Flesh Tone, and was described by her as "a kind of unspoken lovefest".[7] In September 2023, Kelis released "Milkshake 20" (Alex Wann Remix); Kelis resung the lyrics and co-produced the single.

Albums

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
DetailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertifications
US
[8]
AUS
[9] [10]
FRA
[11]
GER
[12]
IRE
[13]
NL
[14]
NZ
[15]
SWE
[16]
SWI
[17]
UK
[18]
Kaleidoscope 144 136 73 50 46 47 92 43
Wanderland
  • Released: October 17, 2001
  • Label: Virgin
  • Format: CD, cassette, LP, digital download
133 79 78
  • UK: 17,000
Tasty
  • Released: December 5, 2003
  • Label: Star Trak, Arista
  • Format: CD, cassette, LP, digital download
27 41 60 51 15 16 48 48 14 11
Kelis Was Here
  • Released: August 22, 2006
  • Label: Jive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
10 96 104 77 82 51 22 41
  • BPI: Silver
Flesh Tone
  • Released: May 14, 2010
  • Label: will.i.am, Interscope
  • Formats: CD, digital download
48 162 132 61 54 81 49 46
Food
  • Released: April 18, 2014
  • Label: Ninja Tune
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
73 112 145 81 94 32 20
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

TitleDetails
Live in London
  • Released: November 24, 2014[29]
  • Label: Concert Live, Ninja Tune
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Live from Metropolis Studios
  • Released: August 28, 2015[30]
  • Label: Music on vinyl, Ninja Tune
  • Formats: LP

Compilation albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
DetailsPeaksCertifications
UK
The Hits
  • Released: March 1, 2008
  • Label: Jive, Legacy
  • Formats: CD, digital download
71
  • BPI: Gold

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[31]
US
R&B
[32]
AUS
GER
IRE
NL
NZ
SWE
SWI
UK
[33]
"Caught Out There"199954 9 26 40 23 4 32 10 35 4
  • BPI: Silver
Kaleidoscope
"Get Along with You"200057 93 51
"Good Stuff"
132 72 49 78 44 74 19
"Young, Fresh n' New"200189 32Wanderland
"Milkshake"20033 4 2 22 1 7 3 5 22 2 Tasty
"Trick Me"20045 10 4 4 3 24 8 2
  • ARIA: Platinum
  • BPI: Gold
  • RMNZ: Gold[36]
"Millionaire"
23 65 8 37 27 50 43 3
  • BPI: Gold
"In Public"
200522 17
"Bossy"
200616 11 18 64 21 72 15 39 41 22
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
Kelis Was Here
"Blindfold Me"
91
"Lil Star"
200799 8 95 3
"Acapella"2010169 21 17 12 61 5
  • BPI: Silver
Flesh Tone
"4th of July (Fireworks)"32
"Scream"168
"Brave"2011
"Jerk Ribs"[37] 2014Food
"Rumble"[38]
"Friday Fish Fry"[39]
“Midnight Snacks”2021rowspan="2"
“Feed Them”2022
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
US
R&B
AUS
FRA
GER
IRE
NZ
SWE
SWI
UK
"Got Your Money"
199933 19 82 39 11
  • BPI: Gold
Nigga Please
"Honey"
200056 17[40]
"Supa Love"[41]
2001
"Candy"
48 Broken Silence
"When the Last Time"
200219 8 41Lord Willin'
"Help Me"[42]
94 65Loud
"Take You Home"[43]
85 62 Animal House
"How You Want That"[44]
200388 Loon
"Let's Get Ill"[45]
37 38 25
""Finest Dreams""
35 8Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
"Make This Run"[46]
Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions Part 1
"Not in Love"
200415 36 14 7 36 11 14 5
  • ARIA: Gold
7
"I Love My Chick"
200641 18 22 38 18 8 22 8The Big Bang
"Not a Criminal"
2007
"No Security"[47]
2009Tons of Friends
"Spaceship"[48]
201016 94Electroman
"Bounce"
20117 6 6 2
  • ARIA: 3× Platinum[49]
  • BPI: Platinum
  • RMNZ: Gold[50]
18 Months
"Tomorrow Changed Today"[51]
2012rowspan="2"
"Give It All"[52]
2013
"Hearts"[53]
Do Not Revenge
"The Key"[54]
2014rowspan="2"
"Do It Like Me (Icy Feet)"[55]
2017
"Deal with It"
202184Demidevil
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Fairytalez"1997GravediggazThe Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel
"Cocaine Business (Hysteria)"1999NoreagaMelvin Flynt – Da Hustler
"Jamaica Way"2000Beenie ManArt and Life
"This Must Be Love"2001Dane BowersUrban Renewal
"I Don't Care Anymore"
"I'm Leavin'"Outsidaz, Rah DiggaThe Bricks
"Dandelion"LFOLife Is Good
"I Don't Know What"Krayzie BoneThug on da Line
"What It Is"Busta RhymesGenesis
"Truth or Dare"2002N.E.R.D, Pusha TIn Search Of...
"Consider This"N.O.R.E. featuring KelisGod's Favorite
"My Life"LatrelleDirty Girl, Wrong Girl, Bad Girl
"Popular Thug"NasThe Neptunes Present... Clones
"So Be It"
"Hey Nas"Nas, Claudette OrtizGod's Son
"Dracula's Wedding"2003OutkastSpeakerboxxx/The Love Below
"Fight for Your Right"Mondo GrossoNext Wave
"Oceania" (Remix)2004Björk"Who Is It"
"American Way"NasStreet's Disciple
"4 Ur Ears"2005Timo MaasPictures
"Brass in Pocket"Just Like Heaven Soundtrack
"Not Going Back"2006NasHip Hop Is Dead
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"2007Dionne WarwickMy Friends & Me
"Scars"2009Basement Jaxx, Meleka, ChipmunkScars
"The Man Who Stole a Leopard"2010Duran DuranAll You Need Is Now
"Copy Cat"2012SkreamSkreamizm, Vol. 7
"Back and Forth"2015Giorgio MoroderDéjà Vu
"Watch Your Step"2020DisclosureEnergy
"Talkin"2022Kojey Radical, Tiana Major9Reason to Smile

Music videos

Title! scope="col"
YearDirector(s)
"Caught Out There"1999Hype Williams[56]
"Good Stuff"2000David LaChapelle
"Get Along with You"Paul Hunter
"Young, Fresh n' New"2001Diane Martel
"Milkshake" (unreleased video)2003Paul Hunter[57]
"Milkshake"Jake Nava
"Trick Me"2004Mr. X
"Millionaire"
Giuseppe Capotondi
"Bossy"
2006Marc Klasfeld
"Blindfold Me"
"Lil Star"
2007[58]
"Acapella"2010Rankin, Chris Cottam and Nicole Ehrlich[59]
"4th of July (Fireworks)"Kelis, Rankin and Nicole Ehrlich[60]
"Scream"Rankin[61]
"Brave"2011
"Jerk Ribs"2014Laurent Levy[62]
"Rumble"Christian Lamb[63]
"Midnight Snacks"2021Adrienne Raquel[64]
Title! scope="col"
YearDirector(s)
"Got Your Money"
1999Nzingha Stewart, Scott Kalvert,
Hype Williams and D'Urville Martin
[65]
"Supa Love"
2000Andrew Dosunmu
"Help Me"
2002Rojo
"When the Last Time"
Diane Martel[66]
"Take You Home"
Chris Robinson
"Finest Dreams"
2003Oli Goldsmith
"How You Want That"
Little X
"Not in Love"
2004Jake Nava
"I Love My Chick"
2006Benny Boom
"Spaceship"
2010Ray Kay
"Bounce"
2011Vincent Haycock and AG Rojas[67]
"Hearts"
2013Chic & Artistic[68]
"The Key"
2014Oliver Hadlee Pearch[69]
"Watch Your Step"
2020Kid. Studio, Glenn Michael and Christo Anesti[70]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilson . MacKenzie . Kelis Biography . . June 13, 2016.
  2. Web site: Chambers . Veronica . Uptown, girl! . The New York Times . August 19, 2001 . July 22, 2018.
  3. Web site: Patel . Joseph . Kelis Turning Heads Again With Her Tasty 'Milkshake' . https://web.archive.org/web/20151001105138/http://www.mtv.com/news/1479616/kelis-turning-heads-again-with-her-tasty-milkshake/ . dead . October 1, 2015 . . October 7, 2003 . July 22, 2018.
  4. Web site: Exclusive Interview with Kelis . . April 26, 2006 . November 5, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230036/http://www.mp3.com/features/stories/4233.html . September 29, 2007.
  5. Web site: Bee . Sarah . Review of Kelis – Flesh Tone . . May 14, 2010 . December 3, 2010.
  6. Web site: Kelis Signs to Ninja Tune . . December 11, 2013 . July 22, 2018.
  7. Web site: Food / Kelis / Releases . Ninja Tune . February 28, 2014.
  8. Web site: Kelis Chart History: Billboard 200 . Billboard . July 22, 2018.
  9. Peak chart positions in Australia:
    • All except Kelis Was Here: Web site: Discography Kelis . australian-charts.com . September 30, 2010.
  10. Web site: Kelis ARIA chart history (1999-2010), received from ARIA in May 2024. ARIA. Imgur.com. July 14, 2024. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  11. Web site: Discographie Kelis . lescharts.com . French . September 30, 2010.
  12. Web site: Discographie von Kelis . Offizielle Deutsche Charts . German . June 10, 2016.
  13. Web site: Discography Kelis . irish-charts.com . October 4, 2010.
  14. Web site: Discografie Kelis . dutchcharts.nl . Dutch . October 4, 2010.
  15. Web site: Discography Kelis . charts.nz . July 22, 2018.
  16. Web site: Discography Kelis . swedishcharts.com . October 4, 2010.
  17. Web site: Kelis . select "Charts" tab . swisscharts.com . June 13, 2016.
  18. Web site: Kelis . . June 10, 2016.
  19. Web site: Caulfield . Keith . Ask Billboard: Diva 'Was Here' . . November 2, 2006 . September 29, 2010.
  20. Web site: Robbie compilation beats sales record for entire year . . October 25, 2004 . June 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030749/http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/robbie-compilation-beats-sales-record-for-entire-year/027142 . November 29, 2014.
  21. United Kingdom. Kelis. July 27, 2024.
  22. Web site: Concepcion . Mariel . Exclusive: Kelis Signs To will.i.am Music Group/Interscope . Billboard . December 1, 2009 . October 5, 2010.
  23. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts Analysis: Paolo Nutini retains No.1 album slot with 52k sales . Music Week . April 28, 2014 . June 13, 2016 . subscription .
  24. United States. Kelis. June 10, 2016.
  25. Australia. 2004. album. October 4, 2010.
  26. Mitchell . Gail . Kelis: Summer Album Preview 2010 . Billboard. May 26, 2010 . June 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180510060258/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958038/kelis-summer-album-preview-2010. dead. May 10, 2018.
  27. Web site: Key Releases: 22.05.10. . Music Week . May 22, 2010 . June 13, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20150228052523/http://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-226791714/key-releases-220510 . February 28, 2015.
  28. Web site: Upcoming Releases . . August 9, 2014 . https://archive.today/20140129032930/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi . January 29, 2014.
  29. Web site: Live in London . Amazon (UK) . June 10, 2016.
  30. Web site: Live from Metropolis Studios . Amazon (UK) . January 24, 2020.
  31. Peak chart positions for singles in the United States:
  32. Peak chart positions for singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States:
  33. Peak chart positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
  34. Australia. 2004. single. September 22, 2010.
  35. New Zealand. Kelis. Milkshake. single. 1267. April 4, 2004. June 10, 2016.
  36. New Zealand. Kelis. Trick Me. single. 1288. August 23, 2004. June 10, 2016.
  37. Web site: Jerk Ribs – EP by Kelis . iTunes Store (US) . June 13, 2016.
  38. Web site: Rumble – EP by Kelis . iTunes Store (Ireland) . June 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140726225052/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/rumble-ep/id836016714 . July 26, 2014.
  39. Web site: Friday Fish Fry – EP by Kelis . iTunes Store (US) . June 13, 2016.
  40. Web site: Moby / Moby Feat. Kelis – Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? / Honey . Discogs . 30 January 2022.
  41. Web site: Supa Love – Single by Guru & Kelis . iTunes Store (UK) . June 13, 2016.
  42. Web site: Help Me . Amazon (UK) . June 13, 2016.
  43. Web site: Take You Home [Vinyl] ]. Amazon (US) . June 13, 2016.
  44. Web site: How You Want That/Relax Your Mind [Vinyl] ]. Amazon (US) . June 13, 2016.
  45. Web site: Let's Get Ill . Amazon (UK) . June 13, 2016.
  46. Web site: Make This Run (Neptunes) [Vinyl Single] ]. Amazon (Germany) . German . June 13, 2016.
  47. Web site: No Security (Remixes) by Crookers & Kelis . iTunes Store (UK) . June 13, 2016.
  48. Web site: Spaceship (feat. Kelis, apl.de.ap & Jean-Baptiste) by Benny Benassi . iTunes Store (US) . June 13, 2016.
  49. Australia. 2012. single. June 10, 2016.
  50. New Zealand. Calvin Harris feat. Kelis. Bounce. single. 2000. September 12, 2011. June 10, 2016.
  51. Web site: Tomorrow Changed Today (Tomorrowland Anthem 2012) [feat. Kelis] – Single by Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike & The WAV.s ]. iTunes Store (Belgium) . June 13, 2016.
  52. Web site: Give It All (feat. Alex Clare & Kelis) – Single by Don Diablo . iTunes Store (Netherlands) . June 13, 2016.
  53. Web site: Hearts (feat. Kelis) – Single by Dan Black . iTunes Store (US) . June 13, 2016.
  54. Web site: The Key (feat. Kelis) – Single by Breach . iTunes Store (UK) . June 13, 2016.
  55. Web site: Do It Like Me (Icy Feet) [feat. Sage the Gemini & Kelis] – Single by TCTS ]. iTunes Store (UK) . March 17, 2017.
  56. Web site: Kelis artist videography . mvdbase . June 15, 2016 . March 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315174206/http://www.mvdbase.com/person.php?id=A2693 . dead .
  57. Web site: Fuchs . Cynthia . Top 12 Music Videos of 2003 . . January 14, 2004 . July 22, 2018.
  58. Web site: Lil Star – Kelis . select "Details" tab . . October 13, 2010 . June 15, 2016.
  59. Web site: Acapella – Kelis . select "Details" tab . Vevo . February 18, 2007 . June 15, 2016.
  60. Web site: Kelis . IMVDb . June 15, 2016.
  61. Web site: Scream – Kelis . select "Details" tab . Vevo . October 13, 2010 . June 15, 2016.
  62. Web site: Kelis – Jerk Ribs (Official Video) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/wQgppPHXJSs . 2021-12-22 . live. . February 19, 2014 . June 15, 2016.
  63. Web site: Ortiz . Edwin . Kelis Becomes One With Wilderness in Her New Music Video for "Rumble" . . March 24, 2014 . June 15, 2016.
  64. Web site: Kelis Midnight Snacks (Official Video). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/3EJLxF0mElM . 2021-12-22 . live. YouTube. October 8, 2021. October 12, 2021.
  65. Web site: Plagenhoef . Scott . The Top 50 Music Videos of the 1990s . . August 22, 2010 . June 15, 2016.
  66. Web site: Ahmed . Insanul . Pusha T Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs . Complex . March 21, 2011 . June 15, 2016.
  67. Web site: Knight . David . Calvin Harris's Bounce feat Kelis (Directors Cut) by Vincent Haycock and AG Rojas . Promo News . May 19, 2011 . June 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150501002142/http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2011/05/19/calvin-harris%E2%80%99s-bounce-feat-kelis-directors-cut-vincent-haycock-and-ag-rojas . May 1, 2015 . dead .
  68. Web site: Dan Black ft Kelis 'Hearts' by Chic & Artistic . Promo News . May 28, 2013 . June 13, 2016 .
  69. Web site: Knight . David . Breach ft Kelis 'The Key' by Oliver Hadlee Pearch . Promo News . November 14, 2014 . June 13, 2016.
  70. Web site: December 11, 2020 . Disclosure, Kelis "Watch Your Step" is a Classic Filipino Family Hall Party in Toronto ft. Dante Basco . MYX.