What REALLY Happened to Kelis?

RRG2 minutes read

Kalise, the daughter of Kenny Rogers and Evelys, faced identity struggles growing up but was instilled with strength and individuality. Despite challenges in the music industry and personal life, she pursued her career, releasing albums and exploring her passion for cooking.

Insights

  • Kalise, born to Kenny Rogers, an African-American jazz saxophonist, and Evelys, a Chinese and Puerto Rican woman, faced identity struggles growing up, feeling torn between her racial background and socio-economic status.
  • Despite facing challenges, Kalise's parents instilled in her values of strength, confidence, and individuality, which shaped her resilience in navigating the music industry, where she encountered racial biases and contractual issues.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Kalise?

    A musician facing challenges in her career and personal life.

  • What challenges did Kalise face?

    Struggles with fitting in and career obstacles.

  • How did Kalise start her music career?

    By meeting Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.

  • What albums did Kalise release?

    "Kaleidoscope," "Tasty," and "Flesh Tone."

  • What other passions did Kalise pursue?

    Cooking and launching a sauce brand.

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Summary

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Kalise: Jazz Saxophonist Overcomes Identity Struggles

  • Kenny Rogers, an African-American jazz saxophonist and minister, and his wife Evelys, who was Chinese and Puerto Rican, named their third child Kalise, combining their names.
  • Kalise faced challenges fitting in during her childhood, feeling too black for her white classmates and too middle-class for her Harlem neighborhood.
  • Despite struggles, Kalise's parents instilled in her strength, confidence, and individuality.
  • Kalise attended New York's LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, where she learned to play the saxophone.
  • After leaving home at 16 due to family issues, Kalise met Pharrell Williams through a friend and began working with him and Chad Hugo.
  • Kalise's debut album, "Kaleidoscope," was released in 1999, featuring the hit song "Caught Out There."
  • Kalise faced challenges with her record label, being told her music wasn't "black enough," and experienced issues with her contract and royalties.
  • Kalise married rapper Nas in 2005, but their relationship faced difficulties, including allegations of physical abuse and infidelity.
  • Kalise continued her music career, releasing albums like "Tasty" in 2003 and "Flesh Tone" in 2010, while also exploring her passion for cooking and launching a sauce brand.
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