Will.i.am Has Big Plans For Kelis, “She Can Be That Big, As Big As The Black Eyed Peas”

Black Eyed Peas' frontman Will.i.am recently talked about signing singer Kelis to his label and said she has potential to become a superstar.

According to Will, the singer is capable of reaching a large international audience.

“Kelis has always been a best kept secret,” Will said in an interview. “The cool people know Kelis. But the majority of people just know ‘Milkshake.’…I would like Kelis to show she’s an international sensation. She can be big. A lot of people think big is being on the radio or that being big is having a show in London, France and sometimes Japan. But that ain’t international…that’s just three countries. The Black Eyed Peas are big; the Black Eyed Peas are international. I think Kelis can be that big. As big as the Peas. A lot of time rappers have these labels and they don’t let their artist become bigger than them. I’ve proven that’s not me. Fergie is huge. When Fergie blew up she was bigger than me! I believe Kelis can do the same.” (VIBE)

Kelis spoke on joining Will at Interscope Records last December.

“There were definitely people that were interested in signing me before [choosing will.i.am’s label],” she revealed in an interview. “I played it for a few of the key labels that I liked that I thought would understand a record like this…I’ve worked with will before and I love him. I love [Interscope chairman] Jimmy [Iovine]. It was a good marriage…As far as this generation goes, there’s not a single song that you can bring up to [will.i.am] or a reference or an artist or an era of music that he is not privy to or that he doesn’t understand.” (Rap-Up)

Reports of Kelis’ move made headlines in early December.

After much speculation following the release of a song titled “Acapella” on the Internet last week, singer-songwriter Kelis has announced that she has signed to Interscope Records through Will.i.am Music Group. “I love that I am now a new part of the Interscope family,” Kelis said via a statement. “2010 is around the corner and I can’t wait to put out new music and spend time with real music fans on tour again.” (Billboard)

The move marked her official departure from former record company, Jive Records.

Kelis’ last label deal was with Jive Records, and she reportedly was dropped in late 2007. Her as-yet-untitled album features production from the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am as well as Free School, Boyz Noize, Burnz, DJ Ammo and David Guetta, who produced the above-mentioned retro-dance track. (Reuters)

No further album details have been revealed as of now.

Check out a past Kelis SOHH interview down below: