Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1979), known professionally as Kelis, is an American singer, songwriter, and chef whose music combines contemporary R&B, hip hop, funk, soul, pop, and electronic dance music. Recognized for her distinctive raspy voice, forceful delivery, and striking visual style, she has built a career around constant reinvention rather than a single fixed sound.
Raised in Harlem, New York City, Kelis attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she played saxophone and sang with the Girls Choir of Harlem. She began performing professionally as a backing vocalist, including work connected with the hip hop group Gravediggaz. Her career changed direction when she began working with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, the production duo known as the Neptunes. Their collaboration led to a recording contract with Virgin Records in 1998.
Kelis made an early impression through guest appearances on tracks by artists including Ol' Dirty Bastard and Noreaga before releasing her debut album, Kaleidoscope, in 1999. Driven by the singles "Caught Out There," "Good Stuff," and "Get Along with You," the album introduced her as an unusually assertive and experimental presence in late-1990s R&B. Its futuristic production, confrontational lyrics, and colorful presentation established the adventurous approach that would define her work.
Her second album, Wanderland, followed in 2001, although its release was delayed in the United States. Kelis reached a broader audience with Tasty in 2003. The album expanded beyond her earlier Neptunes-centered sound and included contributions from producers and musicians such as Dallas Austin, Andre 3000, Raphael Saadiq, and Rockwilder. Its lead single, "Milkshake," became her signature song, reaching the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a major international hit. The album also produced "Trick Me," which became one of her strongest charting singles in the United Kingdom.
Kelis Was Here appeared in 2006 and featured "Bossy," a collaboration with Too Short. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album and reflected Kelis' continued interest in combining hip hop attitude with pop accessibility. Around this period, she also became a prominent collaborator, appearing on recordings by artists from the alternative hip hop, pop, and electronic scenes.
After leaving Jive Records, Kelis moved in a more overtly electronic direction. Her fifth album, Flesh Tone (2010), was shaped by house and dance music and included production from David Guetta, Benny Benassi, Boys Noize, Diplo, and will.i.am. The single "Acapella" presented a more expansive, celebratory side of her artistry, while her vocal appearances on dance tracks, including Calvin Harris' "Bounce," connected her with a new audience.
Kelis later signed with the British independent label Ninja Tune and released Food in 2014. Built around live instrumentation and influences from funk, soul, and classic pop, the album marked another deliberate change in direction. Its singles included "Jerk Ribs" and "Rumble."
Food also reflected Kelis' long-standing interest in cooking. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu, worked as a chef, presented the cooking program Saucy & Sweet, and developed food-related projects alongside her music. Her career therefore extends beyond recording: Kelis has consistently treated sound, fashion, performance, and cuisine as connected forms of creative expression. After several quieter years, she returned with the single "Midnight Snacks" in 2021, reaffirming her status as one of contemporary pop and R&B's most individualistic artists.