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The genius of Kelis in 5 iconic videos
Beyoncé’s unpredictable use of one of Kelis’s hits on her album Renaissance (2022) led the latter to come back in the spotlight. This high-profile dispute is a reminder that, before the R’n’B singer became a chef and ranch owner in California, she used to be a true music pioneer in the 2000s. One who paved the way for Rihanna and many other R’n’B and hip-hop stars today.
By Violaine Schütz.
Published on 11 August 2022. Updated on 1 July 2026.
Beyoncé‘s album Renaissance (2022) is still a controversial record. Indeed, Queen B had to delete some of her lyrics deemed ableist, and American singer Kelis accused the singer of Break My Soul of sampling her 2003 hit Milkshake (2003) on her track Energy without her permission. These criticisms were expressed by Kelis on her social media and propelled the singer to the forefront of the scene. Indeed, before she went after Beyoncé, few people knew about her.
Yet, the former model, who graduated from an art school in New York, was one of the leading R’n’B figures of the 2000s. With her colorful outfits, punk energy, polished videos, and charisma, she paved the way for today’s stars, like Rihanna. Kelis’ discography is full of daring and ambitious hits, produced by The Neptunes – the duo gathering Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo – or André 3000 from OutKast, among others.
Musically speaking, the one who used to collaborate with CeeLo Green and Ol’ Dirty Bastard has been keeping a low profile over the past few years. Now, the R’n’B diva is mostly known for her culinary adventures, since she converted into a chef. Nas’s ex-wife published a book entitled Life on a Plate (2015) and launched a cooking show on Netflix called Cooked with Cannabis. She used to multiply references to food in her songs, such as her notable single Milkshake and her album Food (2014), before she recently came back with a new video called Midnight Snacks (2021). Produced by the duo The FaNaTix, who have previously worked with Nicki Minaj and Popcaan, the suave but effective song plays on the intrinsic links between sex and food, two very similar elements according to Kelis.
The forever badass 42-year-old pioneer now lives in a Californian farm surrounded by animals, including a cow named Whitney Houston and a llama named Marvin Gaye. She is making her own olive oil and growing citrus fruits, but she doesn’t waste any time when it comes to reminding people on her social media of the major role she played in pop culture. Her high-profile feud with Beyoncé gives us a chance to look back at her forward-thinking aura through five of her best music videos and tracks.
