Kelly de Almeida Afonso Freitas (born March 3, 1983), better known professionally as Kelly Key, is a Brazilian pop singer-songwriter, YouTuber, and television personality. She rose to prominence in 2001 with her singles "Baba" and "Cachorrinho" which became defining hits of the early 2000s Brazilian pop music scene. Known for her blend of pop, dance, and funk music, she quickly established herself as a pop icon in Brazil.[1] Over the course of her career, she has sold millions of records, earned numerous awards, and helped shape the genre of Brazilian pop for a new generation.[2] Often compared to American contemporaries like Britney Spears for her playful and provocative image,[3][4] Kelly Key has remained a fixture in Brazilian popular culture.[1]
Kelly Key | |
|---|---|
 Key at fitness event in 2016. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kelly de Almeida Afonso Freitas |
| Born | March 3, 1983 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | kellykey |
Biography
edit1999–2002: Career beginnings and breakthrough with debut album Kelly Key
editKelly Key’s career began in 1999 when she worked as host on the TV show Samba Pagode & Cia.[1][4] In early 2000, she recorded a demo, which was picked up by Warner Music.[1][5][6] Her eponymous debut album was released in 2001[7] to great commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies within six months of its release[8] and earning a platinum certification.[9] The album's themes of female empowerment and independence set it apart from previous Brazilian pop music, giving it lasting influence.[1]
While her debut single, "Escondido," was only a minor radio hit, it generated significant buzz[10] prompting her record label to release a follow-up single, "Baba Baby." The song became a massive hit,[11] catapulting her to national stardom and earning comparisons to international stars like Britney Spears.[4] Subsequent singles, "Cachorrinho" and "Anjo," continued her success, reinforcing her image as a strong, independent voice for young women.[1]
In 2002, Kelly Key expanded her reach to Hispanic America with Kelly Key en Español, a Spanish-language version of her debut album, which helped her establish a fan base in countries like Chile and Argentina.[12][13] That same year, she also released a remix album called Remix Hits.[14]
2003–2004: Do Meu Jeito and live album
editKelly Key began working on her sophomore album in 2002.[4] Do Meu Jeito was released the following year.[1] The album continued to explore familiar themes from her debut but also expanded into socially conscious issues, such as racial prejudice. Do Meu Jeito was both a commercial and critical success, selling over 300,000 copies,[15] and producing several hit singles, including "Adoleta" and "Chic, Chic." In 2004, she released a live album.
2005–2009: Kelly Key, Por Que Não? and music hiatus
editIn 2005, after changing the writers and producers of her first works, Key went through a transformation to her third studio album, Kelly Key 2005 which featured teen pop songs. The album featured the hits "Escuta Aqui, Rapaz" ("Listen Hear, Boy") and a remake of Aqua's 1997 hit "Barbie Girl", selling about 100,000 copies in Brazil. In 2006 she released her last album on the Warner Music label, Por Que Não? (English: Why Not?), selling 45,000 copies. The album spawned the hits "Pegue e Puxe" ("Grab and Pull"), "Shake Boom" and "Analista" ("Analyst").
In 2007 Key released her first compilation, 100% Kelly Key, by Som Livre ("Free Sound") Records, her new label, selling 50,000 copies. The album released the smash "Você é o Cara" ("You're the guy"), reaching her seventh number one single in Brazil. In 2008 Key released her fifth studio album Kelly Key, rescuing adult themes and selling 40,000 copies. In 2009, Key left Som Livre Records to become a presenter.
2010–2019: Television career and No Controle
editIn 2009 she became host of the Rede Record's TV show Hoje em Dia with other presenters. In 2010, she became host of her own TV show, the Game Show de Verão. In 2011 she returned to music and released her first house music single, "O Problema é Meu" ("The Problem is Mine"), which featured DJ and producer Mister Jam. On November 15, she released her debut English single, "Shaking (Party People).[16]
In 2014 Kelly announced return to the stage; the single "Controle" marked her return to music after five years dedicating herself exclusively to television. On February 3, 2015, the singer released her sixth studio album No Controle , which features a sound inspired by the rhythms kizomba, zouk and electronic music. In 2019, she released an EP titled Do Jeito Delas , and the following year expanded it into an album of the same name.
Philanthropy and other activities
editKey has a great success with the LGBT people in Brazil, and she supports same-sex marriage in the country. She was a spokesperson to high-school age young adults in a campaign in which she said, "Show how you've grown up. This Carnaval, use condoms."[17]
Key became a friend and business partner of singer and digital influencer Clei Ribeiro and shared videos by him.[18]
Discography
edit- Kelly Key (2001)
- En Español (2002)
- Do Meu Jeito (2003)
- Kelly Key (2005)
- Por Que Não? (2006)
- Pra Brilhar (2008)
- No Controle (2015)
- Do Jeito Delas (2020)
Tours
edit- 2001–2003: Turnê Kelly Key (247 concerts – In Brazil)
- 2003–2004: Turnê Ao Vivo e do Meu Jeito (118 concerts in Brazil)
- 2005: Turnê O Filme Já Começou
- 2006: Turnê Por que Não? (46 in Brazil)
- 2008–2009: 100% Tour (90 concerts in Brazil)
- 2010: Holiday Tour (7 concerts – Brazil)
- 2011–2013: In the Night/Shaking Tour (43 concerts – Brazil)
- 2015: Turnê No Controle (19 concerts – Brazil)
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | SP&C | Presenter | |
| 2004 | Band Kids | Presenter | |
| 2003 | Celebridade | Herself | Telenovela; 1 episode |
| 2004 | Contando Histórias com Kelly Key | Presenter | 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Prova de Amor | Herself | Telenovela; 1 episode |
| 2006 | Dança dos Famosos | Celebrity contestant | Season 2 |
| 2008 | Astros | Judge | Season 1, 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Hoje em Dia Especial | Presenter | 2009–10 |
| 2009 | Mestres do Ilusionismo | Presenter | Special TV show; 1 program |
| 2010 | Game Show de Verão | Presenter | 2010–11 |
| 2012 | Ídolos Kids | Herself/Judge/Mentor | 2012–13 |
| 2014 | Domingo Da Gente | Presenter | 1 program |
| 2015 | Vai Que Cola | Herself | 1 episode |
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | O Cupido Trapalhão | Herself |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Por que estreia de Kelly Key antecipou pop de divas no Brasil com empoderamento dançante?". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). December 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Contém POP entrevista Kelly Key! ~ Contém POP". April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "No começo de sua carreira, Kelly Key foi sondada para ser a 'Britney Spears brasileira'". Purepeople (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "KELLY KEY: SÓ SEI QUE ARREBENTEI". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Que susto! Fãs de Kelly Key já fizeram loucuras por ela". Rede TV. June 28, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ "Kelly Key: Average". Music-Online. June 30, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ "Official release of Kelly Key debut Album". All Music. October 17, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "Revista da Folha - A RAINHA DO "TCHU, TCHU, RU, RU" - 16/02/2003". November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "CERTIFICADOS". Pro-Música Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Contém POP entrevista Kelly Key! ~ Contém POP". April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Diario de Cuiabá". Diario de Cuiabá (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Kelly Key - Baba". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Kelly Key - Cachorrinho". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ https://music.apple.com/us/album/remix-hits/1513868.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Nobrega, Eliane (April 21, 2008). "Jornal do Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese).
- ^ "Kelly Key se lança no mercado internacional com Shaking". Fica Quietinho. August 17, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ Okie, Susan (May 11, 2006). "Fighting HIV – Lessons from Brazil". The New England Journal of Medicine. 354 (19). Massachusetts Medical Society: 1977–1981. doi:10.1056/NEJMp068069. PMID 16687709.
- ^ "Kelly Key dubla áudio de Clei Ribeiro". Celebs. February 8, 2023.