Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Jones began his musical career in 1989 as he adopted the moniker of "Nasty Nas" and recorded demos for Large Professor. He was later featured on the 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source.
Kelis Rogers-Mora, known mononymously as Kelis, is an American singer. She was admitted to New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she learned to play the saxophone and won a spot in the Girls Choir of Harlem. After she graduated from high school, Kelis took on a variety of jobs before landing a backup vocal slot on an album track called "Fairytalez", released by the American hip hop group Gravediggaz. She then began working with music producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, known as The Neptunes, which ultimately resulted in her being signed to Virgin Records in 1998.
Tasty is the third studio album by American singer Kelis, released on December 5, 2003, by Star Trak Entertainment and Arista Records. As executive producer, Kelis enlisted previous collaborators the Neptunes to produce the album, as well as new collaborators such as Raphael Saadiq, Dallas Austin, André 3000, Rockwilder, and Dame Blackmon "Grease". It also features guest vocals from Saadiq, André 3000, and then-boyfriend Nas.
Garrett Robin Hamler known professionally as Sean Garrett, is an American songwriter and record producer. He is responsible for a series of chart-topping compositions, most notably Usher's "Yeah!" which ranks second on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade for 2000–2009, and other songs written by him which include Ciara's breakout track "Goodies", Teairra Marí's debut single "Make Her Feel Good", Mario's single "Break Up", Nicki Minaj's first single "Massive Attack", and The Pussycat Dolls' single "Buttons".
Wanderland is the second studio album by American singer Kelis. It was released on October 17, 2001, by Virgin Records. The album's only single, "Young, Fresh n' New", peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart. As of October 2004, Wanderland had sold 17,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
Mario Dewar Barrett, known mononymously as Mario, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, model, and actor. Born and raised in Baltimore, he signed a record deal with J Records at the age of fourteen, and recorded his self-titled debut album released in 2002. It includes the top 10 single, "Just a Friend 2002". His second album Turning Point, was released in 2004, and produced the number one single "Let Me Love You", which won him two Billboard Music Awards. His third studio album Go was released in December 2007, and included the singles "How Do I Breathe", "Crying Out for Me" and "Music for Love". His fourth studio album D.N.A. was released in 2009, and included the singles "Break Up" and "Thinkin' About You". At the end of the 2000s decade, Mario was ranked No. 98 by Billboard on their "Artist of the Decade" list. His fifth album Dancing Shadows, released in 2018, saw him in a more introspective sound than previous albums.
Marsha Ambrosius-Billups is an English singer and songwriter from Liverpool, England. She embarked on her musical career as a member of Floetry. Ambrosius released her debut solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings in March 2011. She also has a brother, Marvin Ambrosius, a television presenter in the United Kingdom.
"In Public" is a song by American singer Kelis, featuring American rapper Nas, taken from the former's third studio album, Tasty (2003). It was released as the album's fourth and final single on April 4, 2005. Kelis co-wrote the song with its producer, Rockwilder.
Kelis Was Here is the fourth studio album by American singer Kelis, released on August 22, 2006, by Jive Records. Originally titled The Puppeteer, the album features production by Bangladesh, Raphael Saadiq, Max Martin, Sean Garrett, and Scott Storch, among others, and also features collaborations with will.i.am, Nas, Cee-Lo, Too Short, and Spragga Benz. It is Kelis's first album not to feature longtime collaborators the Neptunes. Kelis Was Here received a nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
"Milkshake" is a song by American singer Kelis from her third studio album, Tasty (2003). Written and produced by the Neptunes, the song was originally offered to Britney Spears for her fourth studio album, In the Zone, but was instead given to Kelis. It was released as the lead single from Tasty in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24, 2003. According to Kelis, "milkshake" in the song is used as a metaphor for "something that makes women special". The song is noted for its euphemistic chorus and low beat R&B sound.
"Bossy" is a song by American R&B singer Kelis featuring American rapper Too Short. The song features a Roland 808 drum machine and interpolates "Diamonds on My Neck" by Smitty, which in turns uses a sample of "Dangerous MC's" by The Notorious B.I.G. "Bossy" was released in the United States in April 2006 as the lead single from Kelis' fourth studio album, Kelis Was Here (2006). The song peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the singer's second-biggest Hot 100 hit as well as Too Short's first top-40 hit. "Bossy" also entered the top 10 in Finland and the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, and Spain and top 30 in UK. On December 11, 2006, the song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Jamal Fincher Jones, known professionally as Polow da Don, is an American record producer and rapper.
"Lil Star" is the second international single from Kelis' fourth studio album, Kelis Was Here (2006). Released outside US, the single features Cee-Lo, who was at the time half of the duo Gnarls Barkley. Following the moderate success of "Bossy", the single has proven to be a return to form for Kelis; it debuted at number eight in Ireland and was also a huge hit in the United Kingdom reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. The track was hailed by many music fans and critics as Kelis' "comeback" single, despite the fact "Bossy" was written specifically for Kelis' return to music.
"Young, Fresh n' New" is a song by American singer Kelis from her second studio album, Wanderland (2001). Kelis co-wrote the song with its producers, The Neptunes. It was released on September 25, 2001, as the only single from the album. The single peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, however, it became her third consecutive single to miss the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, German producer Timo Maas' remix of the song managed to chart on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play at number 15 in January 2002. The accompanying music video was directed by Diane Martel and filmed in Los Angeles over the weekend of June 9–10, 2001.
In a Perfect World... is the debut studio album of American singer Keri Hilson. It was released on March 24, 2009, through Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. Originally planned for a 2007 release, it was pushed back numerous times into 2008, amid her label's budget issues and minor single releases. The production on the album was handled primarily by Timbaland, Polow da Don and Danja, among others.
"Kitty Kat" is a song by American singer Beyoncé for her second studio album, B'Day (2006). It was composed by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, and Shawn Carter. "Kitty Kat" is a mid-tempo hip hop soul and R&B song whose lyrics detail a situation where a woman feels that her man has underestimated her. The song was generally well received by music critics who noted it to be a seductive track thanks to its "I'm not feelin[g] it" vibe. However, some music critics felt that the production does not live up to those of other songs featured on B'Day.
"Whatever U Like" is the debut solo single by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, featuring rapper T.I. The duo, along with Sean Garrett and Polow da Don, composed the song for Scherzinger's planned debut studio album Her Name Is Nicole. Interscope Records released "Whatever U Like" as Scherzinger's solo debut single on July 28, 2007.
A Different Me is the third studio album by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was released by Geffen Records in association with Imani Entertainment and Interscope Records on December 16, 2008 in the United States. Cole reteamed with producers Toxic, Ron Fair and The Runners to work on A Different Me, but also worked with a variety of additional collaborators on new material, including Polow da Don, The Outsyders, Kwamé, Carvin & Ivan, Tank, Theron Feemster, and Poke & Tone. Guest appearances include Amina, Nas, Monica and 2Pac.
"The Way You Love Me" is a song recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Keri Hilson featuring rapper Rick Ross from the former's second studio album No Boys Allowed (2010). It was written by Stanley Benton, India Boodram, Paul Dawson, Hilson, Kesia Hollins, Jazmyn Michel as well as William Roberts, and was produced by Polow da Don. "The Way You Love Me" surfaced online on November 7, 2010; its explicit lyrics fueled controversy, with music critics accusing the singer of swerving into a racy lane. However, Hilson clarified in several interviews that the song was not just sexual but also had a message for empowerment of women. She added that "The Way You Love Me" was not a song "meant for children".
"Stuck with Me" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written by Rachel Assil, Kesia Hollins and Jamal Jones for her sixth studio album Love Life (2015), while production was helmed by Jones under his production moniker Polow da Don. "Stuck with Me" is a silky, romantic R&B slow jam in which the singer professes her undying love for her significant other. Musically, the light and airy groove is built upon a liquid, pulsing bass line over which Tamia sings with smoky vocals, also making use of her falsetto range.
