Originally from Pittsburgh, KELS has been based in Atlanta for three years. She gained significant buzz when she went on a 52 show US Tour in 2023 independently with no management and no label. Her following grew by 5 times while she was on the road for 8 months on her own. Her fans funded the entire tour. KELS headlined the Atlanta Jazz Festival in May 2024, opening for Andre 3000. In 2024 and 2025 she went on another independent 55 show tour fully funded by her fans. With co-signs from both Big Boi and Timbaland, she is currently working on her debut EP in 2026.