It’s nothing new for the fans of the fabulous Kelis to think that the singer deserves to be more successful than she already is, but now Will.i.am is saying it to. In a recent interview with VIBE the artist/producer went as far as to insist that Kelis could even be as big as his record-breaking group the Black Eyed Peas.

“Kelis has always been a best kept secret. The cool people know Kelis. But the majority of people just know ‘Milkshake.’ If Kelis were fashion she would be a girl’s favorite pair of shoes or a coat…high fashion. I would like Kelis to show she’s an international sensation. She can be big. A lot of people think big is being on the radio or that being big is having a show in London, France and sometimes Japan. But that ain’t international…that’s just three countries. The Black Eyed Peas are big; the Black Eyed Peas are international. I think Kelis can be that big. As big as the Peas.

“Fergie is huge. When Fergie blew up she was bigger than me! I believe Kelis can do the same.”

That’s a nice co-sign from Will, but it would’ve helped if Kelis wasn’t signed to his record label. I think her fans (myself included) are happy with her success though. She’s done very well for an artist who isn’t 100% alternative, but isn’t exactly mainstream either.

Anyways Kelis may not be selling squillions of albums like Fergie and the Peas do, but her new dance single “Acapella” is climbing the club charts, reaching a new peak of #2 this week.

The human chameleon Kelis has began promoting her new single “Acapella”, performing it at Eve nightclub in Las Vegas on Friday night.

“Acapella” has yet to dent the Hot 100, but it’s rapidly shooting up the Billboard club charts, this week reaching a new peak of #3.

A video for the David Guetta produced song has already been shot, as has the artwork for Kelis’ next album Flesh Tones which is due out this Spring.

[Pics via Faded Youth]

Kelis has appeared in the latest issue of Complex magazine in a section where she responds to some common concerns from men, including that their girlfriends aren’t ladylike at all times and that the mother of their children will love the kids more than them.

You can also check out some new music from Kelis below. In case you missed there’s the live rip of Kelis’ song “4th of July” from her upcoming album Flesh Tones, as well as a preview of a song called “What You Workin’ With” by Kid Sister featuring Kelis. Thanks to C.S. Perspective for the pic.

[4th of July - Live Clip]

[Kid Sister Feat Kelis - What You Workin' With]

[Pic Credit: Toyas World]

The wacky and wonderful Kelis attended the first annual Data Awards in Los Angeles last night where she took to the stage to perform a mini-concert which was streamed live over Dipdive.

Debuting a crazy new look alongside her new music, Kelis performed her first single “Acapella”, as well as the Jean Baptise produced “4th of July”, and a mash-up of her hit “Milkshake” over the beat of Madonna’s “Holiday”.

As of yesterday I officially decided that I don’t want Kelis doing dance music, but at least when Kelis does something she does it right (well musically anyways), and the fiery “4th of July” is proof of that.

Check out the performances below, and look out for Kelis’ new album Flesh Tones this April.

Check them out below.

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Billboard have been lucky enough to preview Kelis’ new album Flesh Tones (due April), spilling some new details on several of the albums tracks, all of which sound very promising.

Other songs on the anticipated eight-song project include “4th of July,” produced by DJ Ammo; “Kids,” inspired by homosexual clubgoers; the acoustic-guitar based “Carefree American,” produced by Jean Baptiste; and “Alive,” helmed by Diplo. Kelis is currently in the studio with label head Will.i.am. [source]

Kelis has also collaborated with David Guetta on her first single “Acapella”, Brit-pop band La Roux, Free School and several more.

How do you think Flesh Tones is shaping up so far?

Earlier today Kelis announced via her Twitter that she’s flying to the UK to work English electro-pop band La Roux (or “Le” Roux as Kelis incorrectly spelt it).

Kelis didn’t specify what the collaboration was for exactly, but it’s most likely for her upcoming fifth studio album Flesh Tones which is due out later this year through Will.i.am. Music Group/Interscope Records.

Also attached to Flesh Tones are David Guetta, will.i.am, Free School, Boyz Noize, Burnz, Diplo & Switch and DJ Ammo.

How do you think La Roux’s 80’s inspired synth-pop go down with Kelis’ “futuristic disco” on Flesh Tones? Personally I’m not a La Roux fan so I’m not too crazy about this one.

Controversial singer and all around realist Kelis let her mouth run wild once again during an interview with Vibe magazine to promote her new single “Acappella”, venting her frustrations over the restrictions that radio places on artists these days.

…Everyone wants to discuss to me where I am and where I need to belong. I still have to get on black radio because I’m black. The problem is the bureaucracy of radio. It’s bullshit. I will not deal with it anymore. Radio rules everybody and I don’t give a crap. Play it. Don’t play it.

…I don’t want to be a pop star. I just want to make music that I want to make, enjoy it, love it and still go to the movies.

Kelis also opened up about what a great experience is what recording her new album Flesh Tones without a major label around to stifle her creativity.

…Because I wasn’t signed, there was no pressure. There was no A&R. There was no opinion. I don’t need opinion when it comes to my music. I’m not the greatest singer in the world and I have no desire to be. But I’m honest.

I’m so happy, I have a new lease on life. I’m back in my jeans. I just feel good, man. I’m 30, I love the Lord. I love my son. I love my life. I wake up everyday and think what do I want to do today? I want to create. I am just ridiculously happy. [source]

Yup, Kelis is still the baddest chick in the game. It’s about time that more artists started taking a stand against radio and it’s corrupt ways.

Look out for Kelis’ new album Flesh Tones released through will.i.am’s label under Interscope next Spring!

During a new interview with Honey Magazine trendsetter Kelis was questioned about the crop of today’s young female artists like Cassie & Rihanna emulating her style, and Kelis certainly had no problem with taking her due credit.

Well I was definitely the first to do it. The only other person I would give credit before me is Pepa. Other than that, I expect them to copy me. What else are they supposed to do? They’re young. God bless them.

Yeah. At the end of the day, everyone is just waiting for someone to do something new and if it’s generally me, then I’ll take that responsibility (laughs).

Oh, I don’t know. They’re all duplicates (laughs). I did [it the best] though (laughs). [source]

I can’t argue with that. Whatever your faves are doing now just remember that Kelis has been there done that, and she did it 100x better.

Look out for her new album Flesh Tones in Spring next year. The David Guetta produced lead single “Acapella” is out now.

Nas is going to have to dig a little deeper into his pockets after an L.A. judge ordered him to increase his monthly child and spousal support to 51k.

The decision came after a two-day hearing determined that Nas had made enough money in recent months to pay more to support Kelis and the former couple’s son, Knight. The rapper has been paying nearly $40,000 a month to support them since July. [source]

In other news, Kelis has opened up a little more about her upcoming album Flesh Tones to MTV News.

“Don’t hold ‘em to it — I’m leaning towards Flesh Tone,” she said of the LP’s title. “Going back to it being very animalistic. Flesh and blood, sort of — it’s life. This is what it is. When everything else is stripped away, you’ve got yourself.

“Originally I wanted to do something electro,” she added about the album’s feel. “I kind of went through all these different phases of what I wanted it to be. In recording stuff, it kept changing. Finally it got to this really electronic, dance, really melodic vibe. Everything started to come in that space. I started to fall in love with it. It took a life unto itself. It wasn’t calculated. … All the stuff I fell in love with and stuff I was writing fell into that space. It’s sort of a new-age disco — futuristic disco.”

I can’t think of a hotter sound than “futuristic disco”. Not that I’ve heard futuristic disco before, but whatever it is it sounds amazing!

My girl Kelis sat down for a new interview with PopBytes this week to discuss her new album (tentatively titled ‘Fleshtones’), working with David Guetta on her new single “Acappella”, motherhood, ODB, fashion and much more.

She also surprisingly addressed the claims Rihanna has been swagga jacking her style, acknowledging that it’s happened, but not quite turning it into a catty beef like we all secretly hoped she would.

“You know what. Listen, it’d be totally ridiculous for me to not acknowledge it if someone asks [pause]. The reality is, what is she like 20? I mean [shrugs], what else is she supposed to do? I mean honestly. [pause] I don’t have any animosity at all whatsoever. That’s what she’s supposed to do [laughs].”

The interviewer then pressed Kelis to open up about Lady GaGa.

“She’s a youngin. I appreciate it. It’s interesting actually. I appreciate her visually. I really appreciate her visually. I say this all the time — being pretty is exhausting and it’s boring, and I think that when you’re not afraid to not be pretty and just kind of go there… and I’m not saying that she’s not pretty but I’m saying that as far as the choices she makes fashion wise… That’s what’s fun.”

That was the nice way of saying she doesn’t like Lady GaGa’s music LOL.

Kelis’ new album Fleshtones drops in Spring 2010. Is anybody as excited as I am?