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KELZ THE EMPRESS

KELZ THE EMPRESS

By Jason James Published 4 years ago 3 min read
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Kelli Roberts is a name that we will all know soon. She is a musically talented woman from the majestic city of Philadelphia. Kelz is definitely destined for greatness.

Many residents of Philly are familiar with Kelz from her Battle Rap competitions. She has been emceeing since age 11. Kelz has managed to hone her fierce lyrics and combative style since she first stated until now. As she went on to defeat opponent after opponent Kelz’s reputation began to spread increasing her exposure and recognition.

The style and delivery Kelz developed led her best friend to nickname her Killa Kelz, which was her first rap moniker. After retiring from the Rap Battle scene, she became known as Kelz The Empress.

Kelz’s musical journey started in elementary school. She was the member of a six-person Rap Collective called The Real Deal. In middle school Kelz starred in a three-member girls group called Triple Threat. Kelz continued to write, perform, and produce with Triple Threat throughout her high school education.

After high school Kelz was at a crossroads. College was on the priority list but so was her music career. She met a group of Artist on a similar mission. Triple Threat joined their organization; The Hip-Hop League of Excellence.

The Hip Hop League of Excellence would meet at varies events to perform throughout the Tri-State area of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Group always had merchandise to sell. T-shirts and CDs were the main source of income for Independent Artist at that time. While a member of The Hip-Hop League of Excellence Kelz developed another skill; Kelz learned how to engineer. She teamed up with the President of The Hip Hop League of Excellence and began recording songs for over 500 different artists in the City of Philadelphia.

Even with all of her success with engineering, touring, and promoting, Kelz was discouraged and a little depressed about what was happening within the group Triple Threat.

She stopped performing, recording and even creating music temporarily. She was unsure of her future as far as music. She isolated herself.

In 2010 Kelz gave birth to her daughter Serenity. It was at this time that Kelz had an epiphany. Kelz decided leave Triple Threat to pursue a solo career. Kelz began to refocus and make an even stronger promise to pursue her dream. As a single mother she reevaluated her dream. She felt she not only owed it to herself, but now to her daughter Serenity to persevere.

Kelz tapped into her Empress mentality and started thinking highly of herself and pursuing her musical talents once again.

With an increase in confidence and fire, Kelz created her first solo EP entitled 90bpm. She began to reappear at a variety of Open Mic Nights. Kelz was booked on a variety of Podcasts, radio interviews, and guest appearance throughout the city of Philadelphia. She also opened her own Performing Arts Company called Poetic Justice.

Finally in 2020 Kelz made the ultimate move. She packed her belongings and headed to the Motown Of The South; Atlanta. Her goal is to continue to create relatable and conscious music for people in the United States and abroad. The music Kelz performs is a reflection of her growth and development mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Her music stresses strength of women, injustice in the legal system, poverty, and the urban scene of the mean streets of Philly. She hopes that all who hear her music are inspired with hope and a new sense of survival.

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About the Creator

Jason James

Jason James is an American journalist Andrew writer from Miami, Florida that specializes in covering the entertainment industry.

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