Kelela - Frontline

Kelela's sims-inspired video for 'Frontline', from her debut album 'Take Me Apart'.
Buy/Stream: kelela.ffm.to/...
Animation & Visual Effects Director: Claudia Matè
Concept and Creative Direction: Kelela and Mischa Notcutt
Follow Kelela:
Mailing List: found.ee/kelela...
Spotify: found.ee/Kelela...
Instagram: found.ee/Kelela_IG
Twitter: found.ee/Kelela_TW
Facebook: found.ee/Kelela_FB
'Frontline' Lyrics:
there's a place you hold
i left behind
i’m finished
since you took your time
you should know why
i’m quitting
the secrets i hide, i do nothing
you’ll always deny that we're going in circles
but i'll override
could be winter but i burn inside
in the back of my mind i hear nothing
keep this feeling alive, i fear nothing now
then i'm in my ride
anything i left behind
don't mean nothing now
couldn't take it back
even tho you wish i could
if you think i'm going back
you misunderstood
cry and talk about it, baby
but it ain't no use
see you wasn't lookin when i pushed
hold up, wait
you fuckin wit my groove
gettin on this plane
making moves
cry and talk about it, baby
but it ain't no use
i ain't gonna sit here with your blues
if it ain't your life
i don't know how
to live it
and it broke me down
i almost drowned
it's not the ending
the secrets i hide, i do nothing
you'll always deny that we're going in circles
but i'll override
could be winter but i burn inside
in the back of my mind i hear nothing
keep this feeling alive, i fear nothing now
it's a race against time
when you're on the front line...
couldn't take it back
even tho you wish i could
if you think i'm going back
you misunderstood
cry and talk about it, baby
but it ain't no use
see you wasn't lookin when i pushed
hold up, wait
you fuckin wit my groove
gettin on this plane
making moves
cry and talk about it, baby
but it ain't no use
i ain't gonna sit here with your blues
i’ll tell you what
there's no luck
it’s all me
i’m staying up, don't wait up
cuz they're betting on me
coming up with the sun around me
fire me up, now i'm up
and i won't be taken down
little luck, tell you what, it's all me
i’m stayin up, don't wait up
cuz they're betting on me
coming up with the sun around me
fire me up, now i'm up and there's no coming down
vevo.ly/4P44Oe

[@SimgmProductions]

I connect to this video on a spiritual level.

[@HaydenMCasey]

first thing i thought of was simGM 😂

[@ririschannelx]

SimgmProductions IM DYYYYYYING

[@JoeBrayYouTube]

Love your videos!

[@Mariooo57]

Love your channel so much

[@gianfranco_5362]

I love

[@MickAneworderfan]

There's an amazing contrast here between a video which looks like made in 2005 and a song which sounds like made in 2025

[@louschwick7301]

the sound is distinctively 2018. classy and transcendent, but distinctly of this era 2025 is too near to be a romanticized future. for all we know, we could be going back to country

[@tarynestrada3760]

I think it's got a sexy late 90s vibe to it-- to which i assumed the video style was throwin back.

[@guiafb99]

@@louschwick7301 you are a very boring person

[@goddessbrya888]

Taryn Estrada right!!! That’s the vibe I got

[@aastanton251]

Great Observation

[@STANKBREATH]

KELELA IS CHANGING THE GAME...She giving us the sims fan remake of the non-existent live-action video...she her own fan!!!

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

Who can be mad when even Kelela wants to make a SIMS Kelela? Hahaha

[@syannouucoco6588]

It’s not the sims but it’s IMVU

[@STANKBREATH]

Syannouu Coco She said in the description it's inspired by the sims.

[@drewjohnson9459]

Insertname Here deadass!!!

[@ajschlesinger]

Okay so does that mean that the fan remake has to be live-action ??

[@devinthedu-ohwait587]

Every early 2000s game ever is quaking right now

[@dabonthem6311]

My digital wig is snatched.

[@ChrisHerrera]

Dab on Them lmaoooo

[@TiaFoster39]

And so are my digital edges

[@nergeliedorival49]

😂😂😂😂

[@alexism9641]

I'm literally crying lol

[@greylove2064]

🤣

[@afterglow9946]

This should've been a worldwide hit, just saying

[@cadencedaniels425]

Right?!??!?

[@BatkoNashBandera774]

too ahead of its time, and boo's voice too hot

[@JumboMutumbo]

Right. Dope out the pot.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

Only mainstream music becomes worldwide hits and Kelela doesn't make mainstream music.

[@teefosterx4398]

FACTS

[@jjaredzz]

the sims are screaming in simlish as we speak!!!!!!

[@VMKDeeeguy]

😂😂😂😂

[@hellowhitepeople]

what gagged me is the much needed patch notes texture pack update of pores-more so of black skin. what a legend, queen of diversity patch notes

[@jjoonnaassdb]

hello to you too. Not sure I understood but I think I agree

[@Iriswildgem]

Jonas d sims

[@algonzalez6853]

ur username lmao yikes

[@cll27]

Girl thoes patch notes are from the 2025 update

[@cbullou4]

i found some really good ones the other day and i’m living for em honestly

[@riggamorrischan]

omg i love sims 5

[@esther3396]

lol

[@pleaseinsertusernamehere]

riggamorrischan Best comment in this comment section.

[@Loveandfamex1]

Best Comment oh my god

[@dasummerbaby]

It kinda reminds me of Second Life, lmfao.

[@destinydeja5067]

riggamorrischan this is a downgrade from The Sims 4 and The Sims 3 . Its basically going back to The Sims 2

[@malikwilliams7951]

She done took it to the vibe of a game...

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

YAAAAAS! She knows it's a game. She's been knowing!

[@tonywhite6121]

She said oh so you wanna play games I'll show yo 😅

[@jobananas3052]

the dance part is hypnotic

[@wlflwronline]

THE DANCING IS SENDING ME

[@FaerieFartz]

Dooky me too!

[@Macio418]

every time

[@rudomarufu3943]

But it’s hella catchy

[@keniawall6715]

And when they jump off the Cliff 😭😂🤣💀

[@Warren_90210]

That’s how me and my friends dance.

[@karynmayo4964]

That walk in the black dress! Work it queen 🔥

[@nerojuge8405]

For real!!

[@RafaelRoden2024]

The creative direction of this album is next level

[@user-uq6vv2vn7z]

sims 2 finally getting the recognition it deserves

[@NubianQueen_xo]

Giving me the Sims Bustin Out vibes lmao!!!

[@Y.fm-radio]

I actually really love this, it’s cute, colorful and it tells the story well. You don’t even notice that this song is almost 6 min long

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

Yaaaas! They paced it out Wakanda style

[@bruhcomeon.]

@@RFlex-vw9fcLmao what does this comment mean

[@mermaidtingzzz]

I need to know who put that much effort and detail into these melaninated Sims-like characters! Her lips look amazing in that close up!

[@jodem7]

I died when she picked up her homegirls from the gas station 😂😂😩😩

[@emilg89]

Me too ☠️

[@CentriPetalLover]

But lighting up that cone raw is really what gets me lmao

[@entertheVoid123]

Why?

[@JuannCaarloss]

@@entertheVoid123 cause she is just getting high

[@queenv4340]

Lmao

[@velvetvixen9602]

sims and imvu were just found scalped and in a ditch, holding each other and sobbing

[@KaiInMotion]

casey IMVU is shaking and wigless

[@BBrunnel]

casey that’s what sims deserves for getting rid of map view

[@dezzid.2558]

I wish I like your comment twice lmao

[@tyahmad4950]

SIMVU

[@nerojuge8405]

Pahahhaahahahha

[@theOstenHugo]

still fuming that this album received not a single GRAMMY nom in 2018 for best album or best breakthrough artist or nothing...this album is perfection from beginning Frontline to end Altadena

[@lambchop24]

Lmao only a Queen could pull this off.

[@dominantpersona3326]

Whom'st • Of England????

[@lilyzemengist8091]

She did say this was about her ex but didn't expect the Sims looking just like him. Dang...put him on blast why don't you. Love you tho my fellow Ethiopian princess! Kelelelelelelelelelel ....

[@theOstenHugo]

her ex is a female. kelela is a lesbian. the character in the vid may be a man or that’s ur pov but irl her ex is an entire woman

[@theOstenHugo]

and isn’t she Eritrean not Ethiopian...what Wiki page did i read with all the incorrect facts bruh

[@lilyzemengist8091]

@@theOstenHugo From what I remember her saying in an interview that she's second generation Ethiopian-American. Also, that her first boyfriend was a West African man whose name I forget. Anyhow check interviews she's done. Get the info from the source. ✌🏿

[@multijxde1855]

s m b x she could’ve dated a man that hurt her before she realized she was a lesbian.

[@spacecloud2825]

Sims visuals on point!

[@cyberbutterfly432]

Zarius Kyle its actually Sims I thought it was imvu for a second

[@LeThysor]

Looks more like Imvu to me yea

[@JoaoPedro-rc8wg]

jazisalienx this is not sims sweety

[@hehepudding]

Y'all read the description

[@spacecloud2825]

edited lmao

[@jonnedo3484]

OMG how have I never heard of her and why are her views so low?? Shes so fresh and oldschool at the same time

[@Zephb94]

wig flew to pleasantview

[@cyberbutterfly432]

Joseph Bicalho 😂😂

[@5gramsinsilentdarkness74]

Karoofa Booshta!

[@Zephb94]

oxym4sk soo soo

[@Liliharmony]

MEEE

[@user-zd5zt8zk7j]

LMFAOOOOO

[@user-eo4vu2xu3h]

this album hittin after 3 years

[@Shaycey78]

When they start dancing 😄💃🏽💃🏿💃🏾 #Queens

[@grapesyrop]

everyone is focused on R9 while we're waiting on new kelala

[@rickyp1548]

Wow I love the new sims expansion pack trailer!

[@zooso3785]

Lmao

[@novo_ephemera]

women are killing the game today , FKA Twigs, Laurel Halo, Caroline Eartheater, Sophie, Solange, Polachek, do I need to continue?

[@inspiwa]

yes please. so i know more beautiful artists

[@amorhardkore]

ravyn lenae too

[@BBrunnel]

Arca too

[@whatinthe1126]

tinashe, sza, kali uchis

[@justinward3886]

Hey queen you're driving in the middle of the road be safe

[@hbhbahbhba]

Justin Ward lmao

[@peculiarshanice4586]

She is!!!!!😂😂😂😂

[@storeboughtramonaflowers]

lmfao

[@bundleofdaisies7523]

Let's talk about the lack of seat belts. If she crashes, that's it.

[@justinward3886]

Ariana Daniels shit your right I’m keeping her in my prayers

[@GorgonDrageil]

It feels crazy that something this dope existed for over 4 years and I'm just hearing it... Makes it even more surreal for me. Like I stumbled into a different timeline or something, where the futures the past already.

[@nuhbudi]

I love these 1993 CGI IMVU graphics it's giving me life

[@lordharryx]

I connect and can relate to this song. Always remember to leave the people who make you unhappy. Their song of Frontline of letting go and moving on

[@adam2u]

we decided to stan forever

[@CNAlisson]

Adam R we did

[@cascadaluv]

Stan?

[@radobay]

Okay but also at the end she literally just drove off going the wrong way down a one-way street 😭😭

[@unathi4782]

Lol, I love the static movement of the avatars when they dance. And I love how there are legit endless possibilities with this method of video!

[@HybridxKing40]

This is DOPE but did her friends just.....die??🤣😂

[@08choclate]

🤣🤣

[@theOstenHugo]

“told her to wear her seatbelt” iykyk 😂😂😂

[@dajamsteryo]

The definition of "Ride or Die" lol

[@Kyoukichi]

@@dajamsteryo You mean "ride and die"

[@dajamsteryo]

@@Kyoukichi lmao I didn't see this till now. Thank you for making my day

[@FarrahFawx]

Damn he went and got a becky

[@AngelAustin]

Okuuurt?!

[@kbg12ila]

She got some nice hair tho

[@YoungBurr94]

Yasmine here we go 😭

[@danceent4134]

Omg I didn’t want it to end. This is too good

[@jonasorens7863]

The Sims 5 looks amazing

[@semjon02]

Imagine if Rochelle Jordan and Kelela would team up for a song. That would be so amazing.

[@leoniekiki3734]

YES YOU GET IT

[@CoolAssMom]

Your imagination motivates me! Thank you once again Kelela!

[@Dr.FinbarrCalamitous]

It still kills me that they all jumped off the cliff, but only one landed in the car😂🤣

[@lamricelo]

bella goth is no longer THAT girl in the sims

[@eggressive_]

Mateo C. IM SCREAMING

[@happyplace3385]

LMAO 😂

[@phoebexxlouise]

i still can't fucking believe this iconic video doesn't have 10 million views

[@marsasaboy5833]

This is cured my depression

[@infamousNfamous]

This video is amazing but I'm dying at the fact that the guy sim looks exactly like Tosin Abasi. Like. Damn girl lmao

[@christopherlewis7115]

I love this song! Kelela is so unique and her music is just incredible. I always get a Janet Jackson vibe from her.

[@anthonyfregala]

yeah she even tales about her as an influence in some interviews

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

Janet left such an impression on all of us. She just comes up when we try to create. She's the true heir of pop

[@anthonyfregala]

+R. Flex right! Queen Janet

[@gisele__________________]

There's a place you hold I left behind, I'm finished Since you took your time, you should know why I'm quitting The secrets I hide, I do nothing You'll always deny we're going in circles But I'll override Could be winter but I burn inside In the back of my mind, I hear nothing Keep this feeling alive, I feel nothing now Then I'm in my ride Anything I left behind don't mean nothing now Can't take it back even though you wish I could If you think I'm going back, you misunderstood You cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use See you wasn't lucky when I pushed Hold on, wait, you're fucking with my groove Gettin' on this plane, making moves Cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use I ain't gonna sit here with your blues If it ain't your life, I don't know how to live it And it broke me down, I almost drowned It's not the ending, it's not the ending The secrets I hide, I do nothing You'll always deny that we're going in circles But I'll override Could be winter but I burn inside In the back of my mind, I hear nothing Keep this feeling alive, I feel nothing now It's a race against time when you're on the frontline Can't take it back even though you wish I could If you think I'm going back, you misunderstood You cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use See you wasn't lucky when I pushed Hold away, you fucking with my groove Gettin' on this plane, making moves Cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use I ain't gonna sit here with your rules I'll tell you what, there's no luck, it's all me I'm staying up, don't wait up 'cause they're betting on me Coming up with the sun around me Fire me up, now I'm up and I won't be taken Down on my luck, tell you what, it's all me I'm staying up, don't wait up 'cause they're betting on me Coming up with the sun around me Fire me up, now I'm up and there's no coming down Can't take it back even though you wish I could If you think I'm going back, you misunderstood You cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use See you wasn't lucky when I pushed Hold away, you fucking with my groove Gettin' on this plane, making moves Cry and talk about it, baby, but it ain't no use I ain't gonna sit here with your blues Why are you testing me? No, no, no, I'm not the one Why are you testing me? No, no, no, I'm not the one Why are you testing me? No, no, I'm not the one Why are you testing me? No, no, no, no, I couldn't wait for you I couldn't wait for you Couldn't wait for you

[@lilijiko2325]

💜

[@GiganticSky]

kELELA WENT FULL ON CITA'S WORLD!

[@peculiarshanice4586]

I forgot about Cita's world!!!

[@Liliharmony]

THROWBACK! 😂

[@MiillieMesh]

Omg I just asked myself what was the name of that show the other day. Yup, it was Cita on BET! lol

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

Cita is forever! Kelela just joined her in the afterlife to come back with this!

[@December_baby04]

GiganticSky THROWBACK

[@keianajohnson1836]

She’s so beautiful....even as a Simms digital character!💖💖💖💖

[@Chezasflower13]

😍 I want Kelela and Janelle Monáe to do a song together. 👄💅🏾👑

[@cmcm5878]

Yeah Janelle dropped those fire tracks, I could totally see them going at it with a new track. Monáe worked with Grimes so why not Kelela?

[@lilyl.6715]

Janelle: im a dirty computer Kelela: okay but can we play sims on this computer?

[@ghaithghazi6748]

Also with Rina Sawayama

[@nurlani9010]

Noooo lol but her and Banks yes!

[@denzelajstowers]

dolor hic tibi proderit olim and erykah badu on the track 👌

[@watchlistenlearnwll6614]

Kelela is that chick super dope and unique

[@luisg3235]

2011 tumblr aesthetic on lock

[@bestrock6583]

I am surviving cancer. Healing from surgery last of 7 in the past 4 years. It has taken it toll and left it's scars. I am here. Healing. Your music helps. Thank you so very much.

[@MK-rs7dn]

Music seriously saves lives! 💜✨💫

[@jesusbertink3350]

The harmonizing at 4:18 makes me think of the original sugababes... love it!!!

[@ParoDeezTV]

yes for the joint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheJuly48]

Love your videos!!

[@Augustum19999]

Skinny Kween

[@varietypak9106]

omg fucking done!

[@oosbey1]

Ayyye paro deez!!!!

[@fabrices8144]

Paro is divine 😉👌🏾

[@goldenxronnie3739]

Frontline was one of my FAVORITES from the album. First track and I was on the floor. Connected to it on a spiritual level. And only Kelela can be THIS creative. No she did not give it us a 2011 tumblr sims aesthetic. Done with her lmao

[@goldenxronnie3739]

Sims and imvu are scalped! Wig missing!

[@AoiKyuuketsuki]

the uncanny valley vibes are like a slap to the face... effective

[@drednd5837]

MY DIGITAL WIG IS NONEXISTENT

[@YoungBurr94]

Ever since I heard this on Insecure, its been heavy in the rotation. Song is straight fire 🙌🏾✊🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@storeboughtramonaflowers]

me stunting on Second Life

[@haleymichelle8975]

I'm screaming😂😂

[@jimjimjimmy7793]

Lmaooooo I'm m@d late

[@amandagaskill7609]

I used to play that so so much a long time ago lol

[@maderose86]

9:09

[@gizmoe9685]

okay a bop. but she did not drive in her damn lane lmao

[@marjicasantos]

Sis is always giving the children what they need. God bless her.

[@meganh7065]

THE “IM QUITTING” PART IDK WHY IM IN TEARS

[@ririschannelx]

SHE WENT OFFFFFFF AND THIS SONG BANGS

[@nelly1746]

Why am I just now knowing about this song

[@nixnyxx5749]

2017-18 was a timmmmmeeee!!!❤

[@JasonTopo]

ok where can i download the game where Kelela breaks my heart over and over again?

[@RFlex-vw9fc]

This is it!

[@boughtbot2639]

Man. As if the song alone wasn't dope enough. You are an artist, keep up the fire work

[@Peterrdee]

Sims been awfully quiet ever since this video dropped

[@eberromo4805]

6 years later and this is still such an exhibit of true art in every way possible omg

[@lucaswhetselsings1028]

I kinda forgot about kelela since she hadn’t made music in like 4-5 years but omg her music is nostalgic as hell.

[@coloh9928]

This song is 50x as good with speakers/headphones that capture the breadth of tones and pitch in the bass. And it's still pretty fuckin good without it.

[@timchromecast]

Hegel + Kef R7 sounds great. Curious how it will sound on the new Kef LS50 Wireless II, John Darko reviewed them recently on his youtube channel :)

[@chrisf8293]

The dude is obviously supposed to be Tosin Abasi. The guitar and the haircut are a dead giveaway.

[@robchitsonzojr.9056]

Just came for this comment! It is definitely him

[@VXMAudio]

Was looking for this!

[@acdee3133]

@@lizzy6319 He's a guitarist

[@TacoCrisma]

Lizzy best guitarist in the world at the moment

[@tootalasmore]

this is probably my fav r&b song of all time.

[@S4Leagueftw]

imvu is shutting down sims 5 is cancelled

[@sedonabarkocus5476]

IMVU IS SHIVERING HAHAHA

[@hellowhitepeople]

imvu.... my eyes are tilting to the back of my head.

[@9290SC]

😂😆

[@tirthankarbose8950]

Is that Yeri I see?

[@akeemrogers3060]

Digital or not I'ma need her to stop driving in the middle of the street

[@djones148]

😆🤣😂

[@C_oboe]

I said the SAME THING

[@Daniel-ll2cl]

Loool

[@DrDanielle86]

Hahahhaha hilarious

[@johndoh5316]

Akeem paid attention in Driver Safety Class.

[@jackninja1]

Finally, took way too long! My favorite album in a very long time, such an amazing artists! Really Kelela keep on being the greatest!

[@tlg-]

this song helped me learn some massive lessons

[@jae7798]

literally can't stop watching or listening, i'm hypnotized

[@drednd5837]

SIMS COULD NEVER

[@dariocastillostudio]

She was ahead of her time...

[@futasupastah]

2018s anthem Why are you testing me I’m not the ONE !

[@peachtasty7706]

futasupastah yaaas😭

[@AngelAustin]

I'm just not!

[@1Trutje1]

04:18

[@nathanneelyoutlawdiditprod2891]

Just started watching Insecure after all these years and within seconds of hearing this, I had to know who sang this and what song this is. Just bought her CD.

[@terencereyes696]

This is art. I'm glad she was able to execute this concept well.

[@CorpseTongji]

ok but this whole album is a fucking modern odyssey

[@relly.b3an]

This song and video was too real! Everybody involved with this piece is gifted ✨👍🏾🤍

[@relly.b3an]

Lol “too real”

[@annaharris1655]

So we just gunna act like this not a hit ?

[@talkativenatasha]

Anna Harris we just gunna pretend huh

[@maderose86]

Top 10 records of the decade 2010-2020

[@davidjacobs375]

Maybe ok

[@hitto_dubstep]

dis chorus hits fn hard daaaamn. whole track is a fn masterpiece

[@katherinet9390]

Kelela is so underrated its criminal

[@unathi4782]

I love the audio as usual! And the avatar is so accurate!🔥

[@nokuno]

I swear Kelela is so talented 🔥🔥💗

[@jstarang1]

Song is straight gas 🔥

[@michaelfounty7121]

🔥🔥🔥

[@MichelleNgozi]

I just love her.

[@BrandonScheepers]

One of my favs from the album! This video is too dope damn

[@gregorywilliams2962]

Her vocal dynamics are crazy ❤❤❤❤

[@axeslinger94]

This song really goes awf!! What a queen!! I instantly recognized that TAM 100 Ibanez tho sis Tosin got some explaining to do!! LMAOOOOO

[@chefboyarzee]

a timeless classic

[@toriikinsz]

This video is a vibe 😂. Im too high for this but its such a good song 💞