Kelly Key

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 and R&B, she quickly established herself as a pop icon in Brazil. 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. Often compared to American contemporaries like Britney Spears for her playful and provocative image,

Biography

1999–2002: Career beginnings and breakthrough with debut album Kelly Key Kelly Key’s career began in 1999 when she worked as host on the TV show Samba Pagode & Cia. In early 2000, she recorded a demo, which was picked up by Warner Music. Her eponymous debut album was released in 2001 to great commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies within six months of its release and earning a platinum certification. The album's themes of female empowerment and independence set it apart from previous Brazilian pop music, giving it lasting influence. prompting her record label to release a follow-up single, "Baba Baby." The song became a massive hit, catapulting her to national stardom and earning comparisons to international stars like Britney Spears. That same year, she also released a remix album called Remix Hits and posed nude for the December 2002 issue of Brazilian Playboy.

2003–2004: Do Meu Jeito and live album Kelly Key began working on her sophomore album in 2002. 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

In 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

In 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).

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 , which features a sound inspired by the rhythms kizomba, zouk and electronic music. In 2019, she released an EP titled , and the following year expanded it into an .

Philanthropy and other activities Key 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."

Key became a friend and business partner of singer and digital influencer Clei Ribeiro and shared videos by him.

Discography

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

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 +Television 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

+Films Year Film Role 2003 O Cupido Trapalhão Herself