We like her so much right now

BEATS:

SHE’S sold 6.8 million records across the globe, won countless awards and worked with some of the best producers the music industry has to offer.

But New York songstress Kelis is still keeping it real as she prepares to perform at Manchester’s Warehouse Project on Sunday.

The 31-year-old has brought us unforgettable tracks such as “Caught Out There”, “Milkshake” and recent hit “Acapella”.

She’s won BRIT, Q and NME awards and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Her unusual name is a fusion of her dad’s name, Kenneth, and her mum’s name, Eveliss, and as a child she sang in church choirs and played violin, piano and saxophone.

She formed a band with The Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo and landed herself a record deal with their support.

Her debut album “Kaleidoscope” only hit number 144 on the US Billboard Chart but fared better across Europe.

Leading single “Caught Out There”, which features the iconic line “I hate you so much right now”, reached number nine in the UK and helped Kelis win Best International Breakthrough at the 2001 BRIT Awards.

Kelis finally got the recognition she craved in 2003 with her third album, “Tasty”, which went Platinum, and single “Milkshake” which was the UK’s fourteenth best-selling single in 2004.

Following a messy divorce from rapper Nas and the birth of her son Knight, Kelis brought out her current album, “Flesh Tone”, earlier this year.

The album’s debut single “Acapella” showcased a more dance/pop style for Kelis.