Kelis

Kelis
Jørund F Pedersen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Kelis
Birth name	Kelis Rogers
Birth date	1979-08-21
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Origin	Harlem and East Harlem, New York City
Genres	R&B, neo soul, hip hop, electronic, pop
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, chef, DJ, actress, entrepreneur
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Virgin, Arista, Interscope, Ninja Tune
Associated acts	The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, Sean Combs, Nas, André 3000, Dave Sitek

Kelis Kelis Rogers is an American singer, songwriter, chef, DJ, actress, and entrepreneur whose work spans R&B, neo soul, hip hop, electronic, and pop. She first rose to prominence in the late 1990s through collaborations with The Neptunes and solo albums released on Virgin Records and Arista Records, later branching into culinary arts and media. Her career intersects with notable figures and institutions across music, fashion, gastronomy, and film.

Early life and education

Kelis was born in Harlem and raised in East Harlem and Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Eddie Rogers and Kenneth Rogers; her upbringing connected her to New York City's diverse musical and cultural scenes including Harlem Renaissance-era legacies. She attended Pulaski Street Elementary School and later studied at Bronx High School of Science-adjacent programs and community arts initiatives tied to institutions like Harlem School of the Arts and neighborhood centers near Columbia University outreach. Early exposure to performers and producers in Manhattan clubs and to radio stations such as Hot 97 informed her artistic development alongside contemporaries affiliated with labels like Bad Boy Records and collectives around Def Jam Recordings.

Music career

Her debut album was produced with The Neptunes and released on Virgin Records; early singles gained traction on stations including BBC Radio 1 and MTV. Subsequent albums involved collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Sean Combs, Nas, André 3000, and producers from XL Recordings and Ninja Tune. She toured with acts associated with Lollapalooza, Glastonbury Festival, and Coachella lineups and performed at venues linked to Radio City Music Hall, Apollo Theater, and Madison Square Garden. Releases charted on the Billboard 200, UK Albums Chart, and were promoted through appearances on Late Show with David Letterman, Later... with Jools Holland, and Saturday Night Live. Her single success intersected with remixes by DJs from Ministry of Sound compilations and features on compilations curated by labels such as Rough Trade.

Artistic style and influences

Her musical style blends elements from artists and movements including Prince, Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Madonna, and producers rooted in East Coast hip hop and West Coast hip hop. Production collaborators have included members of the Neptunes collective and artists affiliated with Daptone Records-adjacent soul revivals and Warp Records electronic experimentation. She has cited inspirations from performers who recorded at studios like Electric Lady Studios, worked with arrangers from Motown Records sessions, and drew on songwriting approaches found in catalogs of Stax Records and Atlantic Records artists. Visual presentation and fashion influences connect to designers showcased at Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and photographers represented by Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Acting and entrepreneurial ventures

Beyond recording, she has undertaken acting roles associated with producers from BBC Films and independent companies featured at the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. She trained in culinary arts through programs and mentorships linked to institutions like the Institute of Culinary Education and has appeared on televised competitions tied to networks such as Food Network and BBC Two. Entrepreneurial projects include branded products and pop-up restaurants collaborating with hospitality groups connected to Eater-covered venues and culinary festivals like South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Her DJ sets and residencies have been booked at clubs affiliated with promoters from Pitchfork-covered circuits and festival networks run by Live Nation and AEG Presents.

Personal life

Her personal relationships intersected publicly with musicians and producers associated with Bad Boy Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, and artists who have worked with Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group. She has lived between New York City and Los Angeles and participated in advocacy and charity events hosted by organizations such as (RED) fundraisers, benefits connected to Amnesty International, and community programs linked to The Prince's Trust. Family ties and motherhood were discussed in interviews with publications including The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and NME.

Awards and recognition

Her work has been recognized by industry bodies including nominations and awards tied to BRIT Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and entries on Billboard year-end lists; she has received critical acclaim in outlets like Pitchfork and NME. Culinary endeavors garnered attention from guides and lists compiled by Michelin Guide-adjacent critics and profiles in Bon Appétit and GQ. Institutional honors and festival invites connected to Glastonbury Festival and South by Southwest reflect cross-disciplinary recognition.

Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:American singer-songwriters