Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com » Kelis

Kelis & Will.i.am Deliver New Dance Track “Anything Like You”

Idolator Staff — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:34:33 +0000

And we thought we’d have to wait until 2012 for new music from Kelis! Leave it to this bouncy diva to exceed our expectations — her track with The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am has hit the internet, and it gives us everything we want and need from the fashionable songbird. The electronic dance jam continues in the same vein as Kelis’ 2009 Flesh Tone offerings, which is the best possible news since that was one of our faves that year. Though we don’t yet know if this is new or just a leaked unreleased track, we can only hope Kelis’ upcoming album is as strong as this track indicates. Listen below.

We know what we’ll be dancing to in 2012!

Kelis Dishes On Her 2012 Album

Idolator Staff — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:08:56 +0000

Kelis has been reasonably quiet in 2011, which is a shame, since her dance-tastic Flesh Tone was on of our pics for 2010’s Best Albums. (Though she did brighten up Calvin Harris’ wonderfully summery “Bounce.”) Fortunately, it sounds like we’ll be getting more Kelis in 2012 than we did this year, since the skeletal songbird revealed to AllSaints Basement Sessions that we’ll be getting a new LP from her in the early part of the new year. Kelis is also featured in Hunger magazine’s latest issue in new shots by Rankin. See the pics and watch the segment after the jump.

Are you as excited as we are about new music from Kelis?

Kelis Wows London Fashion Week (PHOTOS)

Idolator Staff — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:51:10 +0000

Never one to bore us with lazy or uninteresting style, Kelis trotted out a number of eye-catching looks befitting the "Bounce"-y diva at London Fashion Week. The skeletal songbird must have turned a number of heads in these ensembles, from a long leopard-print dress worn at a Robert Cavalli after party to an Alexander McQueen-tributing white T-shirt (also worn at a Roberto Cavalli party). Certainly Kelis' taste in apparel can be described as "Brave" — which look do you think she rocked best? More »

Kelis Shows Her Lovely Bones At Lovebox Festival (PHOTOS)

Erika Brooks Adickman — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:15:20 +0000

"Lovebox was a fun muddy mess!" Kelis tweeted following her performance at Day 3 of the music festival. It seems a weekend of rain couldn't wash away any of the sparkle from bouncy singer's set. In keeping with the 2011 fashion trend of pop stars in Halloween-inspired ensembles, the Flesh Tone artist sported a sequined skeleton jogging suit on stage. Tell us what you think of the brave New Yorker's latest look. More »

Kelis Gives A Little “Bounce” To Calvin Harris’ New Video

Robbie Daw — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:10:25 +0000

We say Kelis gives a little bounce to “Bounce,” because, well, she’s barely in the music video. Still, as we know, the Flesh Tone diva’s vocals dominate Calvin Harris’ peppy new dance track. Head below to watch the Vincent Haycock-directed clip.

Kelis has been lending her voice out to various “featured” appearances over the past year. Most recently she turned up of Duran Duran’s All You Need Is Now track “The Man Who Stole A Leopard.”

Anyway, here in Calvin’s video, Kelis appears briefly in a limo and then gives some short face time while dancing in the desert on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the majority of the clip focuses on a guy who breaks up with his girlfriend, then aimlessly wanders around Sin City with his friends for the day. He eventually ends up at a party Calvin Harris is DJ-ing at and proceeds to hook up with several frisky females.

Is it just us, or is there something very Kids about it all?

Kelis Adds Some “Bounce” To Calvin Harris’ New Track

Idolator Staff — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:07:34 +0000

Just when we were beginning to feel our yards have been boy-free for entirely too long, the diva whose milkshake outdoes everybody else’s is back, lending vocals to Scottish producer Calvin Harris’ new single “Bounce.” Over a chipper club beat, our 2010 fave Kelis croons: “We bounce to this track, and I don’t care what anybody thinks about that.” And while we applaud the “Brave” songbird’s independence, there’s no cause for her indifference — Flesh Tone fans should be perfectly happy bouncing along with this new dance jam all summer long. Listen below.

The Morning Mix: Rebecca Black Bravely Proceeds To Record New Songs

Idolator Staff — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:30:03 +0000

Did You Hear?

:: Rebecca Black, riding the bizarre viral success of “Friday”, is reportedly working on songs for a planned EP with producer Charlton Pettus, who worked with English pop band Tears For Fears. We can’t wait to see what comes… afterwards. [TMZ via Vulture]

:: Britney Spears ventured out of the house this weekend to attend her 5-year-old son’s Little League game. We have high hopes for little Sean Preston’s baseball career, since his mom has such a nice swing. [Just Jared]

:: Ke$ha is lending her good name to PETA’s cause, appearing in a new advertisement that comes down on Canada’s “club scene” — as in, its policy of allowing the clubbing of baby seals. (We’re guessing that thing on her head the other night wasn’t real fur). [MTV Buzzworthy]

:: Kelis will soon be lighting up dance floors again — courtesy of British producer Calvin Harris, who features her on his first new single, “Bounce”. [Music & Lyrics]

After the jump, find out which music acts are performing on the tube today.

Music On TV:
:: Late Night with David Letterman (CBS) — Funeral Party (repeat)
:: Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC) — Cake (repeat)
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) — Jessie J
:: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) — Tres Mts. (repeat)
:: Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS) — Everest
:: Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC) — Fitz And The Tantrums (repeat)
:: Ellen DeGeneres (ABC) — Mark Ballas

David Lynch Directs Duran Duran And Kelis’ Oddball Live Clips For VEVO

Robbie Daw — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:38:10 +0000

With the CD version of their new album All You Need Is Now out this week, iconic New Romantic band Duran Duran did a concert for VEVO’s American Express-sponsored “Unstaged” series yesterday in L.A. As a bonus, one of our fave artists of 2010, Kelis, joined lead singer Simon Le Bon for vocal duties on “The Man Who Stole A Leopard” and “Come Undone.” David Lynch directed live performance clip, which features creepy floating heads and a hovering radio. Watch below.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to experiment with the band, Duran Duran, at the Mayan Theater,” said Lynch, as quoted by MovieLine.com. “The idea is to try and create on the fly, layers of images permeating Duran Duran on the stage. A world of experimentation and hopefully some happy accidents.”

“The Man Who Stole A Leopard”

“Come Undone”

Sadly, Le Bon did not announce anytime during the evening that he likes to sing “Blue Velvet.”

Duran Duran’s new album was produced by Mark Ronson, and also features a guest appearance by Scissor Sisters’ diva Ana Matronic on the track “Safe (In The Heat Of The Moment).”

The Morning Mix: Katy Perry Cannot Be Bought

Becky Bain — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:13:00 +0000

Did You Hear?

:: Katy Perry recently tweeted her thoughts on product placement in music videos: “do it w/style & grace…Not so in ur face like some. U hv to get creative w/it. Some artists don’t care tho, & u can tell.” Hmm… wonder who she’s referring to? [PopEater]

:: Watch Jessie J perform both the studio and acoustic versions of her song “Do It Like A Dude” on French TV. [Music & Lyrics]

:: Kelis and ex-husband Nas both played the Good Vibrations music festival in Australia for the weekend – surprisingly, they managed to keep it drama-free. [Rap-Up]

:: Radiohead – specifically Thom Yorke in the band’s new video “Lotus Flower” – gets the viral treatment with the help of Lady Gaga and Beyonce. [EW Musix Mix]

:: Is Duffy considering giving up music because of the poor sales of her last album, Endlessly? [NME]

After the jump, find out which music acts are performing on the tube today.

Music On TV:
:: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) — Deerhunter
:: Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) — Anberlin
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) — Cake
:: Last Call with Carson Daly (ABC) — RedOne, Menomena
:: Conan (TBS) — Jason Aldean
:: Lopez Tonight (TBS) — 30 Seconds to Mars
:: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) — Destroyer
:: Ellen DeGeneres (ABC) — Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean

10 Out Of ‘10: Idolator’s Favorite Albums Of The Year

Idolator Staff — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:08:26 +0000

With the year just about wrapped up, we here at Idolator decided to get together, pore over our individual iPods and revisit the music that got us motivated in 2010. Perhaps some of the following 10 albums weren’t the most critically acclaimed, but they were ones that inspired our hopes, heart-felt dreams and repeated plays while we navigated Planet Pop here on the website each day over the past 12 months. And so, in no particular order other than alphabetical…

ERIKA’S PICK: The Bird & The Bee, Interpreting The Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates
I can’t decide what The Bird And The Bee accomplished more effectively: covering Daryl Hall and John Oates’ hits, or channeling the ’80s duo when trying their hand at their own tunes (“4th Of July”, “Heard It On The Radio”). This synth-pop/oh-so-melancholy covers album is somehow timeless, thanks in large part to Inara George’s velvety vocals. “Kiss On My List” is a “must add” track to your crush’s next mix CD—better yet, just lend them the whole album. You’ll thank me.

ERIKA’S PICK: Girl Talk, All Day
Though some might argue this album could have been called Feed The Animals Vol. 2, with All Day Gregg Gillis (a.k.a. Girl Talk) proved he hasn’t lost his touch since 2008. To me, this ultimate mash-up album (or mega party playlist) is an amazing comment on the way we consume music on our iPods in 2010: in short 20-second spurts, like an over-excited and overstimulated ADHD kindergartener at Chuck E. Cheese. Seriously, when was the last time you listened to an entire song while driving in your car? As with Belinda Carlisle, Derek And The Dominoes and B.o.B.’s “Haterz Everywhere” all in one song (”Down For The Count”), Greg musically transforms apples and oranges into addictive lemonade. Now, will Nike please get with it and release a Girl Talk workout program? This music was built for a hardcore cardio regimen.

ROBBIE’S PICK: Goldfrapp, Head First
When Brit duo Goldfrapp’s fifth album arrived in March, it provided the perfect soundtrack to thaw out to as both the winter and the previous decade faded away. Personally, their albums have always been hit or miss with me. But something about Head First just clicked: the Atari-on-the-dancefloor kick of “Rocket”; the exuberant “Young Turks”-esque bounce of “Believer”; the yearning and synth-y rush of “I Wanna Life.” In the interview I did with Alison Goldfrapp earlier this year, she said, “We wanted to write good, strong melodies… It was just time to get out the synths again, put your hands in the air.” Mission accomplished. Both Head First and its single “Rocket” are Grammy-nominated.

BECKY’S PICK: Gorillaz, Plastic Beach
Damon Albarn has always been able to blur (pun somewhat intended) the line between pop, electro, hip-hop, funk and sounds I can’t begin to compartmentalize. But the aural trip of Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach captures some of his most visceral, glittering, twinkling melodies yet. The result of his copious collaborations and sunny synth work on this set of tunes is something just as beautiful and lush as the scenic album cover implies.

ERIKA’S PICK: Kate Nash, My Best Friend Is You
Kate Nash managed to transport me back my 17-year-old self with this album. Listening to My Best Friend Is You hit me very much the way Fiona Apple’s When The Pawn… did, sitting on the floor of my bedroom with the liner notes spread out in an attempt to learn and decipher every lyric. If I was a teen today and on the hunt for my musical idol, Taylor Swift would come off too sweet and Lady Gaga too intense. Kate speaks to the girl who at first listen seems bright and cheerful, but on closer inspection is packing a razor sharp bite.

BECKY’S PICK: Kelis, Flesh Tone
Kelis was able to effortlessly transform from a quirky R&B/hip-hop artist to electro queen with this non-stop dance album, one that has yet to grow old on me after an infinite number of plays—while driving in my car, running the treadmill, dancing during a house party or just sitting back and taking in her collection of hypnotic beats. Not only was this surprising set irresistible, it was also one of the sweetest albums of the year—many of the songs are about the love for her son Knight, whom she was pregnant with while writing and recording the LP. Aww.

BECKY’S PICK: Ke$ha, Animal
As much of a guilty pleasure it is to earnestly enjoy K-Dolla’s debut Animal, I really don’t feel that guilty about it. The hooks on this album last for days and stick in your head long after the hangover is gone. Just like the masses flocking to Hot Tub Time Machine or Jersey Shore or some similar lowbrow form of entertainment, I get why Ke$ha became so popular with her drunk-and-proud-of-it persona, boasting lyrics so dumbed-down they make a tween’s text messages come off as clever. It’s all about not having to think too hard while letting loose and having fun—and fun is had in abundance on every incredibly-catchy track.

ROBBIE’S PICK: Kylie Minogue, Aphrodite
Like Madonna with Confessions On A Dancefloor, hooking up with producer Stuart Price turned out to be the perfect way for Kylie to give her already impressive career a fresh jolt. The Aussie pop queen’s 11th album hops from sweet (”All The Lovers”) and sassy (”Get Outta My Way”) dance-pop tunes to harder club jams (”Put Your Hands Up”) and fist-in-the-air anthem-like (”Aphrodite”) tracks. And yet Price somehow deftly made it all cohesive. Aphrodite pretty much was my Summer 2010.

ROBBIE’S PICK: Robyn, Body Talk
I’m not exactly sure how Robyn cuts right to the heart of the universal longing we all feel with her icy-cool pop jams, but she’s pretty damn good at it. Anyone who doesn’t believe music with electronic drums can evoke emotions needs to give “Call Your Girlfriend”, “Stars 4-ever” and “In My Eyes” a spin. Then deal yourself a final blow with the Grammy-nominated “Dancing On My Own.” Collecting the previous Body Talk mini albums as they were released over the course of the year was a fun exercise, but do yourself a favor and grab the whole LP.

BECKY’S PICK: Scissor Sisters, Night Work
The Scissters made a triumphant dance mix with producer Stuart Price (who also worked his magic on Kylie’s Aphrodite), and it’s impossible to stop yourself from moving and grooving to this disc, which brims over with tracks as perky as the derriere on the album’s cover art. Although not fully unappreciated—this disco-rave party album has scored them even more fans, including Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga—we still can’t believe this haunting, wicked, cheeky record didn’t make more year-end lists.