Singer-songwriter Kelis was born Kelis Rogers on August 21, 1979, in Harlem, New York City. Her first name derives from a combination of her father’s first name, Kenneth and her mother’s first name, Eveliss. Kenneth is a jazz musician, Pentecostal minister, and University professor; and Eveliss is a fashion designer. Kelis’s musical gifts were encouraged as a child; she sang in the church choir and played violin, piano, and saxophone at Manhattan Country private school. At age sixteen, Kelis attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. At this time, she also formed the R&B trio BLU, which stands for Black Ladies United.

In 1997, eighteen-year-old Kelis released her debut album, Kaleidoscope, produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes. The album was a hit, particularly in Europe, where Kelis received a Brit Award in 2001 for International Breakthrough Act. That same year, Kelis released her second album, Wanderland. Kelis later revealed that both she and her record company, Virgin, did not like Wanderland , and it sold a lackluster 80,000 copies worldwide.

Kelis finally cracked the U.S. market in 2003, with her album Tasty, which featured the hit "Milkshake" and sold over 400,000 copies in the U.S in just two months. Her efforts were recognized with a 2004 Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance, which eventually went to OutKast. On the success of the album Tasty, Kelis went on to open for Britney Spears on her 2004 Onyx Hotel Tour. She has since also opened on tour for U2 and Moby.

In 2006, Kelis released her fourth studio album, Kelis Was Here, featuring production by Scott Storch, will.i.am of The Black-Eyed Peas, and many more. The album also features collaborations with Nas and Busta Rhymes; and received a nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.

In addition to making music, Kelis is currently writing a cookbook, as well as designing her own line of fashion accessories, called Cake. Kelis is also teaming up with Ashanti to market their own line of high-heels.

On March 2, 2007, Kelis was charged with two misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and for resisting arrest without violence in Miami Beach, Florida. According to police reports, Kelis had screamed racial obscenities at two female officers that were working undercover as prostitutes. Kelis was later released on a $1,500 bail bond.

Kelis has worked with some of the best in the business, including Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, OutKast, Diddy, Usher, Moby, Björk, No Doubt, and Enrique Iglesias. She has also worked with rapper Nas, whom she married on January 8, 2005.

YUDDY