Kelis

Kelis Rogers Jones born August 21, 1979) is an American singer and songwriter. She is currently married to hip-hop star Nas.

Kelis Rogers was born in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Her father, Kenneth, was a black jazz musician and a Pentecostal minister; her mother, Eveliss, was a fashion designer, who inspired her to pursue her singing career. "Kelis" is a combination of her father's and mother's names. Kelis' name is pronounced 'Kuh-Leese'. Kelis' father is African-American and her mother is of Puerto Rican and Chinese descent.

As a child, she sang in church choirs and played violin, piano, and saxophone while attending a private school. Kelis left home at age thirteen, but continued her education and at age 16 Kelis went to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia? High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she formed the R&B trio BLU (Black Ladies United). After graduation, she formed a band with The Neptunes and, with their support, landed herself a record deal.

She has since worked with a variety of musicians including Gravediggaz, Busta Rhymes, ...