Kelis - The Hits

More than just her Milkshake should bring you to this yard

Breaking out in 1999 with her album Kaleidoscope and hit single Caught Out There, Kelis Rogers shone brightly at the forefront of the jittery, stop-start funk of contemporary hip-hop and R&B. It helped that she was cosying up with Pharrell Williams, one-half of production demigods The Neptunes, who were then smearing their sound all over every single worth listening to as the 90s became the 00s.

It’s not just that half of the magic (and half of these tracks, including Milkshake and Young, Fresh & New) featured The Neptunes’ touch. Kelis’ fantastic voice and persona didn’t have to work hard to win you over, either. She’s one of the few that easily straddles dancefloor and bedroom, sounding totally at ease in either. Even light funk ballad Lil’ Star comes as equal amounts seduction and heartstring-tugging.

Classic guest spots with Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Got Your Money) and The Neptunes’ own project N*E*R*D (Truth Or Dare), show that you could ask for no better backup than Kelis, while even without The Neptunes (though with new beau Nas) she was just as… well, just listen to In Public. This may be all you need of her, but it’s also some of the greatest contemporary R&B of the last 10 years.

Virgin | tbc

Reviewed by Jason Draper
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