Kelis recently sat down with The Guardian to discuss a myriad of topics, including her early work with The Neptunes — the production duo comprised of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo — and their subsequent fallout.
During the interview, the “Milkshake” singer claimed she was “blatantly lied to and tricked” by the duo, their management and lawyers. She added she didn’t make any money off her first two albums — 1999’s Kaleidoscope and 2001’s Wanderland — which The Neptunes produced.
For her third album Tasty, Kelis elected to work with other producers and she said The Neptunes were “really offended.”
“I was told we were going to split the whole thing 33/33/33, which we didn’t do,” she said. “Their argument is: ‘Well, you signed it.’ I’m like: ‘Yeah, I signed what I was told, and I was too young and too stupid to double-check it.'”
Despite her allegations, Kelis insisted she isn’t angry.
“To be honest with you, I think if it were not for my faith, I feel like that would probably be the case,” she explained. “It’s very clear to me, especially being on a farm, that whatever you put in the ground, that is what’s going to come back to you.”
Several years ago, Kelis saw Pharrell perform at an industry event where she was in the crowd.
“He did that thing to me that he’s notorious for, which is making a nod from the stage [to someone in the audience], so it seems like there’s mutual respect, when in reality …,” she said with a laugh. “I’m like, OK, I’m not going to yell back: ‘You stole all my publishing!’ So you end up nodding back and everyone thinks everything’s great. Like, whatever.”
Wanderland was finally made available for streaming last June, 18 years after its original release. It’s unclear what the arrangement was between the two parties to make that happen.
Elsewhere in the interview, Kelis touched on the relationship with her ex-husband Nas. The former couple was entangled in a contentious custody battle over their son in 2018, with Kelis accusing Nas of physically abusing her during their marriage.
“Any rational person would look at this situation and say [to Nas]: ‘Well, if you want to see [your child], you have to actually show up!'” she said. “My kid is a really happy child, because I don’t tell him when [his father] says he’s going to come and doesn’t show up.”
In September 2018, Nas denied the allegations in a lengthy Instagram post and insisted she was the abusive one.
“You used to turn my phone off so my professionals couldn’t reach me and take the battery,” he wrote. “You insulted any and everyone whoever was around me. Not a single person in my life loved or could even stand you. Luckily for you our assistants all signed NDA’s or you would have a list of men and women who would happily talk about how verbally abusive and evil you are.”
He added, “I do not beat women. I did not beat up my ex wife. Stop. You got beat up in court. How much money do you want? Do you want me to relinquish my rights to see my son is that what you want? Just tell me. After all the tweets and posts you made thru the years disrespecting me and my family I still have love for you as the mother of my child BUT I am done with this.”
“Mad at your boyfriend ain’t you” used to be at least. She seems not to admit that they were together. EOD you signed the contract you could’ve had a lawyer look at it but you didn’t. Typical. To cry about it now is never a good look, but then again any publicity…
Crazy fucking bitch turns everything she touches to poison, so why wouldn’t Nas, Pharrell and probably hundreds of other people that she’s encountered distance themselves and not fuck with her anymore? This woman is miserable, she’s got too many issues to count, no reason why everyone around her should have to suffer
She stole everything from nas
Kelis really out here like everyone owes her something. smh.
So now its everyone else fault she didn’t read a CONTRACT huh?? How milkshake play victim about not reading haha..
sounds like she isnt collecting childsupport anymore and needs a new paycheck.
Why wouldn’t she be collecting child support? Are you implying that Nas is broke and or a deadbeat dad who beats women?
That was just your pops that did that homie. I can sense the anger you have towards him every time you comment on this site.
She constantly complains about everything
These black females is what we have to deal with. Nothing new
Seriously, she signed a horrible deal with a record label (Virgin) and now she is blaming the production duo that launched her career?!?! Additionally, they gave her the biggest hit of her career on her third album that she, of course, isn’t contesting. Let’s be honest, both Wanderland and Kaleidoscope were Neptunes albums but they needed a female singer to make them come to fruition. Pharrell and Chad were the only writers on all of the tracks! FACTS.
Wait didn’t this bitch gets 1 million a year (look it up) in child support from Nas. She still TRIED to sue for more which was (thankfully) denied. Now she claims the Neptunes owe her? Lmao for what giving her some of their hottest beats when they were the most wanted producers in hip hop.
So she shouldn’t be entitled to her fair share from her albums from them because she also receives child support payments for her child from her ex husband? What?????
Nope she trash
You just overlooked his entire statement on her receiving A MILLION A YEAR AMD SUEING FOR MORE? Like that isn’t a sign of character, or lack thereof?
Man I could say so many things, but none of them are good. So I’m gonna share this blueberry muffin recipe instead:
PREPARATION
Preheat the oven to 375.
Cream the butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar until light.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder, and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk.
Crush 1/2 cup blueberries with a fork, and mix into the batter. Fold in the remaining whole berries.
Line a 12 cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners, and fill with batter. Sprinkle the 3 teaspoons sugar over the tops of the muffins, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes.
Remove muffins from tin and cool at least 30 minutes. Store, uncovered, or the muffins will be too moist the second day, if they last that long.
She was tricked not once but twice.
This hoe tricked Nas with the child support nonsense. We do not fall or this.
how do you trick someone with child support??? just because you like Nas raps doesn’t mean he doesnt have to support his children
No to the cost that she allegedly needs!
60K a month? LOL.
You will believe anything someone reads..you dont know the real story so stop defending things you dont know about!
How much more money do you need Kelis??? Get outta here
What a moronic statement! Like how much more money does Jay-Z, Beyonce or P Diddy need??? What a stupid fucking question. Yall are talking like because she gets child support from her abusive ex husband she should forfeit all other potential earnings from her lifes work.
the difference is jay z beyonce and diddy make valuable contributions to the world.
*Aleggedly abusive*
Wanderland didn’t get a U.S. wide release as it did in other countries when it was released but it was a dope album.
She hates Neptunes so much right now.waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
She’s a really bitter, scorned person. Hasn’t let go of the past. She’s rich as hell and still isn’t happy. Bad energy.
And you Kelis are continuously trying to fleece NAS of all his money ? The Irony! What do they say about people who live in glass houses?
I heard she smells like full court basketball
That makes total sense!
Whenever I see Kelis name in the media I know it’s either about more money from Nas or whoever the nxt black man she can accuse of abuse so #Meetoo can come running to her defense all her interviews go the same direction sigh
Ummm pretty sure they write and produced 99% of the music for her while she was signed to them.