Kaleia Brown grew up on the west side of Baltimore, Maryland. As young as Three years old, it was clear that singing came natural to her as she could sing songs on the radio in perfect pitch. Soon after, she’d join the children’s choir in church where her soulful voice was developed. During Kelli’s Middle and High School years, she continued developing her voice singing in the school’s choir. And on many occasions was chosen to sing lead. Influenced by the greats, Kelli honed her skills listening to R&B/Soul music. Studying the likes of Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin and Sylvester, she crafted a sound that paid homage to them yet was her very own.
In her late teens Miss Kelli, formerly known as Marty St. Michaels, began her transition and started performing in the DMV area. Wanting to do more than perform live, she began writing and recording demo’s with a friend. Those songs eventually landed into the hands of DJ Pope (Basement Boys, DJ Spen, Ultra Nate’). DJ Pope released the Sylvester remake ‘Sell My Soul’ on Shelter Records, a subsidiary of Rhythm Records. With Miss Kelli’s stellar vocal performance leading the track, the song was a big club hit in the US and Europe. A few more records followed including another Sylvester remake ‘I Need You’ in 1998. By Spring of 1997 Kelli co-wrote ‘Happy Song’ with House music producer Charles Dockens (Sheila Ford, James Howard) released by Groove On Records. With quite a few club hit records under her belt, Kelli began performing in clubs like the Sound Factory Bar, Paradox and the main stages at Gay Pride festivals across the country. In 2006, during Pride Festival in San Francisco, she was awarded the Sylvester Heritage Award, named after the legendary singer/pioneer.
Miss Kelli is a Baltimore legend who continues to shine. In 2015, she won Philadelphia’s Song Bird competition. For the past twenty years, she’s been an advocate for LGBTQ rights, speaking and performing at events across the country. Her 2019 CD ‘Transcendence’ garnered great reviews in the R&B and Dance world and has inspired DJ’s and producers from Italy, Africa, Spain and Brazil to remix songs from the CD. Miss Kelli goal is to open doors for other Trans-Artists to be taken seriously in mainstream music. With new music on the horizon, She’s excited to be a part of ushering in the new Era of Trans Entertainment.
Baltimore legend DJ Pope of Funkhouse Records Produced theis remake. Released June 22, 2023
Available on most digital outlets!
Remixed by Afrincan producer Mamabolo DeepBrother-Uncle Bob
Available on most digital outlets!
Italian producer remixed Miss Kelli's single 'Loss For Words.'
Available on most digital outlets!
Miss Kelli receives "The Game Changer' Award in Philadelphia, Pa.
M&G Productions recognizes Miss Kelli for her continous contribition and Influence in Philly's LGBTQ community.
New Music Coming Soon: Move Produced by: DJ Manuel Prunas
New Single Alert: Be on the lookout ofr Miss Kelli's next single Get Up produced by Claborg & Fabio Esse in May (TBA)
Spa In Disco Records
Pre-order I Win remix on traxsource.com April 29th
on Bunny Clan Records (UK)
italy's Dance Music producers Claborg remixes Miss Kelli's Troubled Waters (from the CD Transcendence).
on Midnight Riot Records
Miss Kelli reunited with Legendary House Music producer DJ Pope on the remixes to her dance single Contagious featuring Septimius the Great.
Miss Kelli's new REMIX CD 'Trancendence Dance REMIX' is due March 22, 2021
This project inlists some amazing dance and house music producers who takes Miss Kelli's most notable songs from her Debut CD 'Transendence' and send them straight to the dance floor.
Miss Kelli's New Single Release 6.15.2020
Miss Kelli is the first Trans Artist to perform at Baltimore Pride.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-pride-festival-20190616-story.html
As we celebrate Pride throughout the month of June and the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, we are excited to announce Miss Kelli's CD Transcendence will be available at all digital outlets Friday June 14, worldwide.
Hey Love the Maxi Single features Remixes by: Neal Conway and Redsoul. Also features guest Rap Artist DBC.
Devion Entertainment
Miss Kelli "Hey Love" (Neal Conway Remixes)(Devion Entertainment Promo)
Not much needs to be said or written about this dazzling release other than legendary Neal Conway adds his landmark magical touch to "Hey love" by Miss Kelli (formerly Marty St. Michaels), without doubt both his classic '4-to-the-Floor' interpretation and the scintillating 'Afro-Latin Funk' rendition ooze with an inspiring truly enthralling vibe and let Miss Kelli's amazing vocals shine.
Written by Mike Fossati
https://www.spiritofhouse.com/reviews/music-reviews/review200518.html
Check out the new single 'Hey Love' by Miss Kelli.
Philadelphia, City Hall
1pm
Philadelphia LGBTQ Artists Initiative Presents:
Trans-Mission Fundraiser for Trans Artists
Turn Up For Transmission
Fundraiser For Trans Artists
7pm - 9pm
1227 WALNUT STREET
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Turn Up The Transmission
Fundraiser For Trans Artist
10:30pm - 12:30pm
1st Annual Pride Kick Off At City Hall
3:30pm - 7pm
City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107
1219 Vine Street
Phildelphia, PA 19107
1219 Vine Street
Phildelphia, PA 19107
Ujima Conference Event
Westin Fotr Lauderdale Hotel
400 Corporate Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chester County Pride Weekend
Reeves Park
Phoenixville, PA
Monument Stage
Philadelphia, PA
RL Hotel
207 E. Redwood St
Baltimore, MD
Host: Septimius The Great
Druid Hill Park,
Baltimore, MD
Cooper River Park
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
event from 12pm-6pm
Transgender Awareness Week Kick Off & Awards Banquet
`3674 Ridgeway Road
Memphis TN, 38115
Featured Performer: Miss Kelli
6pm - 9pm
*Face Masks Required
*Dress Your Best
*Dinner Will Be Served
Level Up Club - 1300 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
200 Camac Street, Philadelphia, Pa