Kelis in Kenya: From “Milkshake” Star to the “African Dream”

Harlem-raised Kelis Rogers, who first shot to fame in the early 2000s through her groundbreaking collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo’s production outfit The Neptunes, has embarked on a profoundly new chapter far from the music industry’s glare. She has traded the bustling streets of her upbringing and her later home in California for the expansive landscapes of Kenya, relocating with her three children: Knight, Shepherd, and Galilee.

The artist behind the multi-platinum third album Tasty, which sold more than half a million copies and unleashed the global mega-hit “Milkshake,” now cultivates a life of purposeful tranquility. In a detailed and candid glimpse into their new existence, Kelis has illuminated both the profound joys and the tangible challenges of this transcontinental move.

She speaks with great affection for the Kenyan people, offering the direct observation that “Kenyans are some of the friendliest people,” and noting their unwavering willingness to assist, whether one has car troubles or needs directions. She is quick to dispel any notions of a lack of modernity, detailing how “You can get Uber and Uber Eats. They have Amazon, which is amazing.”

The vibrant urban landscape offers a full social calendar for her family, as she loves that it is “progressive, and there’s, like, lots of stuff happening all the time.” Beyond the social perks, a pivotal advantage has been the accessibility of essential services, with Kelis revealing, “The healthcare here is also so good and affordable, which is amazing because I don’t have insurance here.”

She has also discovered a fertile ground for enterprise, observing that “Business here is also really easy to do. There’s so much opportunity to do so many things.” True to her passion for agriculture, she is deeply connected to the land, which “feels wild and rural,” and has fully invested in the role of a farmer. However, her assessment remains balanced, as she does not shy away from the challenges.

She offers a stark warning about the infrastructure, expressing that “The roads and some of the potholes will literally take out your car,” and describing unmarked speed bumps that cause a driver to “leave your soul behind you.” Further practical difficulties include a deficient drainage system where “when it rains, it floods,” and she is unequivocal in her critique that “The waste management is trash, absolutely awful.”

The cost of maintaining certain lifestyles can be prohibitive, as she notes, “If you want to live like an American, you’re going to pay double or three times as much,” particularly with imports where “they’re gonna jack up the price.”

Despite these admitted drawbacks, her overall sentiment is one of profound affirmation and inspiration. She has found her perfect equilibrium, declaring, “I’m still a city girl who loves the country. KENYA is the perfect balance for me.” Her vision extends beyond personal comfort to a call for investment and belief in the continent’s potential.

In a powerful conclusion to her journey thus far, she encourages others, stating, “put your money here in Africa, it’s the best place to be. It’s the African dream.”