Kelis

Wielding emotional transparency, eclectic sounds, and a punk spirit, Kelis created a modern R&B archetype rooted in fearless originality. Born Kelis Rogers in 1979, the Harlem native got her musical start singing in a church choir and playing multiple instruments in private school. By 1998, she'd connected with the Neptunes and recorded Kaleidoscope, her 1999 debut that swirled soul, funk, and hip-hop with ruminations from a quirky romantic. It was as ahead of its time as it was stylish, and it laid the groundwork for her third U.S. release, Tasty. The 2003 LP saw Kelis reconnect with the Neptunes and producers like Dallas Austin as she oscillated between rock, funk, and playful R&B. With its flirty lyrics and pulsing dance beat, "Milkshake" became her most indelible single. Subsequent releases like Kelis Was Here (2006), Flesh Tone (2010), and Food (2014) only saw Kelis burrow further into her creative impulses, encouraging a generation of R&B singers to do the same.