Kelly Key

Biography

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, Kelly Key has remained a fixture in Brazilian popular culture.
She is also the president of Kiala FC and the only female president of a soccer club in Angola.

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.
While her debut single, "Escondido," was only a minor radio hit, it generated significant buzz 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. Subsequent singles, "Cachorrinho" and "Anjo," continued her success, reinforcing her image as a strong, independent voice for young women.
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. That same year, she also released a remix album called Remix Hits×Remix hits2 April 2002 · Album · RemixSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Cachorrinho (The Groove Pop mix)3:262Baba (Band FM mix)3:123Só quero ficar (Breakbeat remix)6:004Anjo (Cuca's Arabian mix)3:125I Deserve It (FC Nond NYC edit mix)7:236Escondido (Cuca extended mix)4:597Brincar de amor (extended Tauz mix)4:098Só quero ficar (Cuca's Bomb club mix)4:289Anjo (Summer Beat mix)2:2610I Deseve It (extended mix)6:1011Baba (DJ PM Só Love extended mix)5:4712Party Medley (Escondido / Só quero ficar / Baba / Anjo / Cachorrinho)4:0913Cachorrinho (Karaokê version)4:0614Baba (Karaokê version)3:45 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. Do Meu Jeito was released the following year. 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, 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?×Por que não?20 September 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Pegue e puxe3:222Shake boom3:403Toda linda3:254Analista3:175Por que não?3:446Olhão3:257Numa boa3:358Me pega de jeito3:219Demorô3:4610Chamada a cobrar2:5011Conquistador3:0112Uma pessoa especial4:28 (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 No Controle×No controle3 February 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1A nossa música3:432Quarto 3133:253Quem é3:314Meu anjo3:165Bem mais você3:426Controle3:207Turn Around3:458Craving for the Summer3:459Let It Glow3:2510Shaking4:3111Controle (remix)4:4412Quarto 313 (remix)4:15 , which features a sound inspired by the rhythms kizomba, zouk and electronic music. In 2019, she released an EP titled Do Jeito Delas×Do jeito delas12 June 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Baba2:482A falta que me faz3:123Escondido2:244Anjo2:545Montanha russa2:426Adoleta2:267Só quero ficar2:378Pegue e puxe2:479É ou não é pra chorar (Por causa de você)3:1310Sou a Barbie Girl2:5311Chic chic…2:5812Aumenta o som2:33 , and the following year expanded it into an album of the same name.

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.