Kelis Says She's "Shocked" To See Rare "Wanderland" Album On Streaming Services

BY Erika Marie 4.0K Views
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Kelis
She said she'd almost given up on ever seeing the day when the album would be available to the masses.

Earlier this week, and without notice, Kelis's sophomore project Wanderland suddenly appeared on streaming services. The 2001 record mysteriously appeared after 18 years of not being available in North America. According to Kelis, she was having issues with her label, Virgin, which led to the album only being sold overseas. 

For anyone that has never heard Wanderland, as soon as you push play and listen to the first song, you'll be able to identify the producers. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo—The Neptunes—are responsible for the project's production that swims with musical experimentation. Following its release, Kelis told Fader that she had no idea that Wanderland was going to be made available to the masses. Even so, she's delighted that the album finally is able to attract new listeners, even if it's two decades after it first dropped.

"It's been a long time coming, I had given up... well almost. I was shocked to wake up this morning to see it had been streamed," she said. "All the politics of it aside, it feels good and I'm happy that it's been given it's time to live on speakers across the country." Check out Wanderland here and let us know what you think of the record.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.