I was first introduced to Kelis when I heard the track "Caught Out There". Everyone in America was soon introduced to Kelis' famous statement, "I Hate You So Much Right Now!!!". Kelis' debut CD "Kaleidoscope" was different from any other CD that I had heard. Yes it was r&b music but Kelis' tracks didn't follow the same every day, radio play r&b track. My favorite track was her next single, "Get Along With You" and this CD was in heavy rotation for awhile. Kelis was due to release a 2nd CD for the longest time, "Wanderland" but for some reason the CD was only released overseas, which had many Kelis fans in a fit. One of the tracks "Popular Thug", which originally featured Pusha T of the Clipse was recycled for The Neptunes Presents "The Clones" CD, but featured Nas on the track instead. Kelis' next release in the states didn't occur until 2003's "Tasty". Although some people grew tired of her first single, "Milkshake" because the radio played the track all day, every day, Kelis proved that "Tasty" was far from a one hit wonder. Tracks like "Keep It Down", "Protect My Heart", "In Public" w/Nas, the crazy "Millionaire" w/Andre 3000 and the Raphael Saadiq produced, "Glow", proved that "Tasty" was an all around nice CD.

After you listen to "Kelis Was Here", the first thing that you will notice is that The Neptunes are no where to be found on this CD and unlike "Tasty", "Kelis Was Here" is not on Star Trak. What happened? That only remains to be seen but Kelis still manages to churn some hits out even without the famous 2 man beat team in Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. Kelis' 1st single, "Bossy" features the often retired, Too Short, who even in his forties can still drop a decent verse. Kelis gives a message that only the ladies can love to a tight Bangladesh beat. On "What's That Right Here", although Will I Am kicks out a funky Funkadelic sample, you can't help to think that this track was made for Fergie and not Kelis. Kelis does her best to still make the song a decent effort, but you can't help to wonder when Fergie is going to start saying "London Bridge" on the track. Will I Am and Kelis work things 125% better on "Til The Wheels Fall Off" as you will swear that Kelis is Vanity or Appollonia and Will I Am does his best to re-create a beat from "Purple Rain". This is where Kelis is most comfortable and "Til The Wheels Fall Off" is definitely one of my favorite tracks on "Kelis Was Here". Kelis and Raphael Saadiq hook up once again on "Living Proof". Just as on "Til The Wheels Fall Off", the track sounds very 80ish and Kelis is talking about the fact that her current situation, most likely with her husband Nas is Living Proof that you can actually find your soulmate and there is love out there for everyone in the world. Kelis' 2nd single, "Blindfold Me" continues her tradition of making sexy uptempo jams that may be too risque for some people, but Kelis is almost at her best when she is able to be "free" on a track. Nas is featured on the version in her video but he is not on the version on the CD. Kelis slows things down on the Cool & Dre produced "Goodbyes". While she is her strongest most of the time on uptempo tracks, Kelis proves that she can still have good results when she makes a slow, midtempo track. The Raphael Saadiq produced "Circus", has Kelis explaining how shady the music industry and record labels can be. She gives examples throughout the track about how they just want you to make specific songs and to portray yourself to be something that you really aren't just to try to gain record sales and additional money. It's commendable that Kelis is able to be open and honest about the crooked ways of the music industry. "Weekend" is a decent track. The only problem that I had with the song is that the track sounds awfully familiar to the Janet Jackson song with the same title that isn't going to make the cut for her new "20 Y.O." CD which comes out on September 26th. Had I not heard the Janet Jackson song called "Weekend" first, I would probably like this track alot more. "Like You" is a playful song that has Kelis expressing how she feels about a particular man. Most Kelis' fans will like this track. "Awww S____", which is also produced by Bangladesh has the Kelis we have come to expect talkin' junk on the track like she did on "Milkshake". The track is very catchy and even if you don't like the song on the first listen, the song will begin to grow on you.

The track that caught me out of nowhere and ends up being my favorite track on here is the Cee Lo Green produced "Lil Star". Just in case you have been buried under a rock for all of 2006, Cee Lo Green, who is in Goodie Mob and a well known member of the Dungeon Family is 1/2 of Gnarles Barkley with DJ Danger Mouse. Cee- Lo is able to create a track for Kelis that is basically unlike any track that I have heard her sing on. This track may never be a single but if you are a fan of Kelis you definitely have to check this track out. It's midtempo but Kelis sings about not seeing herself as a big celebrity like some people think of themselves when they are out in the limelight in any form or fashion. Cee-Lo breaks things down on the chorus to let Kelis know while you may not see those qulaities in herself as being someone special, Cee-Lo sees things differently.

Other tracks worth checking out are the Scott Storch produced, "Trilogy", "Handful", which has Bangladesh on the boards again and "Appreciate Me". The only track that I have to use the skip button for is "Have A Nice Day", but after listening to the majority of "Kelis Was Here", you won't find too many tracks that are unbearable.

You can't help but think what some Neptunes' tracks may have done to this CD, however, Mrs. Jones wins you over with her overall personality and her unique style in this r&b game that has alot of people with no originality at all. If you enjoyed "Kaleidoscope" or "Tasty" or if you were one of the fortunate ones to hear "Wanderland", then you can not afford to pass up on "Kelis Was Here".

James' Top 5

1) Lil Star w/Cee-Lo
2) Til The Wheels Fall Off
3) Living Proof
4) Bossy w/Too Short
5) Blindfold Me

Ranking Kelis' Discography

1) Tasty
2) Kelis Was Here
3) Kaleidoscope

Kelis is always a groundbreaker. She does not follow rules but rather rewrites them based on what mood she seems to be in. This time around she wanted to take a harder edge. Bossy, What's That Right There, Blindfold Me, Weekend, Trilogy, Aww S**t, Handful, and F**k Them B**ches are all harder than the material on her last CD. She still has some slow songs such as Lil Star and Living Proof. She is very sexual with her lyrics and usually can get a little silly with them. On Circus she raps about how the music business is a messy place that replaces female artists every day and is also about how she lies to her fans by making songs that are mindless and not artistic. Kelis is a amazingly innovative singer with a unique voice and look on life. I can't wait too see what comes next.

Kelis is known for putting very sexual lyrics in her music, makind it parental advisory. But with this album it is a mix and it is not as sexual as "Tasty" witch makes it a lot better to listen to. Pretty much all the tracks are written by Kelis. Some of the songs are even sad like the song "Goodbyes"!!! Overall I was not upset with the lyrics except for the hidden track "F*** Them B*****s" it's edited and I bought the explcit version I mean thats messed up!, but nothnig major. But the track does make a point and is pretty good. Otherwise it's perfect. Probably kids under twelve shouldn't listen or buy to the explict version, and kids under ten shouldn't listen or buy the album at all because of content! Here are my ratings for the album.

1. Intro 9.5/10
Comment: The Introduction is the best intro I have ever heard and I usually think intro's are stupid, but not this one!

2. Bossy (Featuring Too $hort) 10/10
Comment: Kelis tells the truth with the hit single Bossy with Too $hort she wants to get the point across to everybody that she is still a bossy b****!

3. Whats That Right There 9/10
Comment: Very good track. Kelis brings back the sexuality on this track but nothing too over rated!

4. Till the Wheels Fall Off 9.5/10
Totally classy with a little bit of electric guitar talking about a true love.

5. Living Proof 9/10
Comment: A pretty good song with a good beat and melody and awesome lyrics!!!

6. Blindfold Me 10/10
Comment: I must say this song is very loud, kinda sexual, hott and catchy! I totally love this song and it is so Kelis!

7. Goodbyes 10/10
Comment: As I said this is a sad, soft song with a sad but good melody. It talks about leaving from home but in a very strong way.

8. Trilogy 9.5/10
Comment: A catchy song, kinda about love. It's pretty darn good!!!

9. Circus 9.5/10
Comment: People totally missunderstand this song, it is supposed to be about other artists not putting a lot of effort or though into their music and just doing music for the fame and money.

10. Weekend (Featuring Wil.i.am) 10/10
Comment: Love it! Wil.i.am helps Kelis out on this track! It's very sexy the beat and melody are great and this is a very good song talking about going out to the club on weekend!!!

11. Like You 9.5/10
Comment: It's a wicked good song, love it!

12. Aww Sh** (Featuring Smoke) 10/10
Comment: One of the songs that is just as good as 'weekend', 'blindfold me' or 'bossy' it's very catchy, rockish and sexual and smoke helps out there! But they do use a lot of profanity!

13. Lil Star 10/10
Comment: A cute song but a little depressing, love it!

14. I Don't Think So 9/10
Comment: Kelis is showing how tough she really is! And she sure does a good job of it!!!

15. Handful 9.5/10
Comment: Kelis is showing everybody that she is a piece of work!!! This is one of thoes kinda sing-a-long songs.

16. Appriciate Me 10/10
Comment: Kelis gets down to the point that you should appriciate her! A very good song! Basically she's saying don't waste your time hating her!!!

17. Have A Nice Day 10/10
Comment: A very soft sad but joyful song! It's a very good ending for an album!!!

There is a hidden track called "F*** Them B****es" with is pretty good.

Kelis shows in this album how versatile her voice can be. It shows that she can have more hits then just a catchy song about milkshakes. The album has a real jazzy feel to it which she was able to mix with R&B/Hip Pop. I think she also made a wise choice by not giving herself a skanky cover and cheap pictures. Good job Kelis, I hope your next album will be another hit.
Obviously there is the hit Bossy that is so fun to move to and sing along with. For all of you that want more catchy tunes:

Blindfold Me: Impossibly sexy tune and fun lyrics
I Don't Think So: Fun song to yell at the top of lungs to, this song has a rock feel to it.
What's That Right There: This song is pretty good, either you will be attached to it or get annoyed by it.
Lil Star: Good song that has feeling put into it with a combination of upbeat male vocals then a more soothing voice from Kelis.

With three albums under her belt, Kelis has changed a lot over time. She's now Mrs. Jones, she's changed her hair, changed up her style a bit but the one thing you can count on from Kelis is that she'll give you an eclectic album with lots to offer. Kelis Was Here is no different. She's not flying with The Neptunes anymore and maybe that was a good decision since this album is pure fire.

Kelis Was Here has its infectious songs, its average songs and its songs that seem like fillers. The infectious songs definitely show that Kelis can kick butt on a track and hold her own even with a guest star.

"Bossy" is the catchy 1st single that became a ladies anthem of sorts. Over the Bangledesh beat, Kelis tells everyone she's bossy and she's back with an 808. Throughout the song, Kelis talks about how great she is and conceited songs always show the confidence of the artist. It breaks down with "diamonds on my neck, di-diamonds in my grill" which is my favorite part since it switches up the flow of the song. Too Short drops in for an appearance but he's not that great here. I would have preferred Kelis solo on this one. In general, Kelis brings fire on this track. Kelis teams up with Will.I.Am on "What's That Right There" where the two respond to each other. I really love the beginning but the whole song in general is all right. It sounds really funky and Kelis pulls it off well. Will.I.Am is average, showing that Kelis can hold her own with a guest star. Till The Wheels Fall Off sounds really pretty but in my opinion, this isn't that "Kelis Fire" that she's capable on this one. Raphael Sadiiq produces this one but he does much better production on a later track. I recently discovered how much I love "Living Proof." It's a cute song about how Kelis fell in love. This one is so relatable that you'll love it. Kelis' voice sounds much better than usual on this track and Raphael Saddiq really ups the production value on this one. After sounding sweet, Kelis had to bring sexy and she did on "Blindfold Me." As one of my favorites off the album, Kelis talks about how she gets sexy on her man when he blindfolds her. The video is very raunchy but Kelis being sexy is when she is the most popular. I'm really surprised that this one flopped since it's one of the best songs on the album. Kelis slows down things a bit on "Goodbyes" and once again, I don't see anything special about this track. The music [produced by Cool & Dre] does sound catchy though. Scott Storch drops in as a producer on "Trilogy," which is rumored to be a single not released in the U.S. This track is average but I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. It's not that great but still worth listening to. "Circus" has Kelis sounding much more deep over an amazing beat. She's talking about the bad side to the music industry and you have to respect her for talking about it. Definitely single worthy. "Weekend" sounds like a bit of a filler. Most people will probably like it and maybe it will grow on me, but not now. Kelis once again brings sexy back in "Like You," a nice track where she talks about her man and how he can "fluff her feathers." The metaphor is kind of weird but her point gets across clearly. The best track on the album is hands down "Aww S***." This is the best Kelis Was Here has to offer because Kelis is just being Kelis. The chorus is definitely infectious as she sings "Hicky hicky hicky; aww s***!" Smoke drops in for the best guest appearance on the album as he delivers a great sixteen bars. Bangledesh really brought out the great beats and Kelis delivers that fire she can always do. "Lil' Star" is the next single from the album but I think its the worst one so far. Cee-Lo drops in for a guest appearance but he doesn't help much. I don't see this one doing as well as "Bossy" or "Milkshake." "I Don't Think So" also has a funky flavor but is worse than "Till THe Wheels Fall Off." I must say that this is another filler. My second favorite song is definitely "Handful" where Kelis speeds up her singing on the verses. Bangeledesh once again provides amazing beats and Kelis matches it with her voice. This should have been a single. "Appreciate Me" and "Have A Nice Day" are subpar and should have been left off the album. If you buy the album, you can get my third favorite song on the album "F*** Them B******." It's clean on the album but I've heard it with the swear words and this is Kelis being cocky and cool. Although Kelis didn't want this to be on the album, I'm glad it was. It was one of the driving factors that led me to buy the album.

Kelis Was Here has its faults but it also has its shining stars. I would say this is Kelis' best album and if she can bring some of the fire she put here along with some new fire, then her next album will be recognized by everyone. Even though the album didn't fair so well sales-wise, everyone knows Kelis Was Here.

Best Tracks

1. Aww S*** featuring Smoke
2. Handful
3. F*** Them B******
4. Bossy featuring Too Short
5. Blindfold Me