In hindsight, one would expect a single, let alone an album, produced by the Neptunes (Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams) to chart well, considering Kaleidoscope's sonic novelty at the time. In 1998, the production duo was just starting to gain widespread notoriety in the music business and Kelis had become their muse, an honor and appreciation the Neptunes have not bestowed on a female singer ever since.
Unfortunately, for Kelis, the fate of Kaleidoscope was doomed, with poor sales leading to half-hearted promotion inside the United States. Two additional singles followed: "Good Stuff" (featuring Terrar of Clipse) and "Get Along with You." Alas, neither single managed to chart on the Billboard's Hot 100 and, with that, the writing was on the wall for Kelis' relationship with her label, Virgin Records. Although "Get Along with You" was a remarkable ballad, the song's stark change in artistic direction muddled Kelis' image, when compared against "Caught Out There," and never generated enough steam in the United States, regardless of the fact that the song peaked at #6 on the U.K. R&B Singles chart.
Having three sizable hits in the United Kingdom and following her receipt of a BRIT Award for "International Breakthrough Act," Kelis' second album, Wanderland (Virgin, 2001) was exclusively released to the European market. Even with much critical acclaim, Virgin Records opted to can an American release, because "Young, Fresh ‘n' New," Wanderland's lead single, failed to chart in the United States.
Soon thereafter, Kelis left Virgin Records in a storm of controversy and mainstream success would evade the artist until the release of her third album, Tasty (Star Trak/Arista, 2003), with the meteoric success of her fifth single, "Milkshake." The time between the release of Wanderland and Tasty was well spent, nevertheless, with Kelis touring with U2 and Moby.
To be certain, "Milkshake" is Kelis' signature song, if only for the global success the song achieved: a top five performance on the United World Chart, a GRAMMY nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance (2004) and her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since 1999. As sales exceeded 500,000 copies, Tasty was certified with gold status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Sadly, promotion for Tasty soon crashed, due to the folding of her American label, Arista Records. Virgin Records, her European label, continued to promote the album—releasing singles for "Trick Me," "Millionaire" and "In Public." As with Kaleidoscope and Wanderland, Kelis continued to have much success in the United Kingdom, with Tasty amassing platinum sales and generating four top twenty hits (of which three, "Milkshake," "Trick Me" and "Millionaire" were top three hits).
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Great article Clayton, although it seems as much a history of the artist as it does a review of her hits album. I never knew that Kelis had such a tough time of it in the U.S...you'd think between that rainbow hair, the great songs, and the Neptunes producing that she would be more of a gimme as far as success goes. Amyway, well done sir.
-Glen
2 - Clayton Perry
Glend Boyd:
I appreciate your comments. ;o)
As a life-long fan (who has owned every Kelis album), I felt forced/compelled/encouraged to tell "HERstory," due to her limited success in the United States.
Consider this article a "historical music review" of Kelis' greatest hits.
Best wishes,
Clayton Perry
3 - MadMusicManny
True music lover got her. How many artist do you know that work with Timo Maas, Richard X, Eurythmics and Moby and pull it off? I would like to see some of these "pop tarts" try pulling that off.