My first encounter with a Kelly was not on a musical scale. It was from primary school. Dave and I went to primary school together and we were like boy scouts.

His fortunes improved when he began working with Dave Kelly a friend from primary school who had become resident sound engineer at Penthouse Studios. He also recorded "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)" with Buju Banton and wrote several early hits for him including the controversial "Boom Bye Bye". He had more success however with King Tubby who produced his first single "Long and Lasting Love" in 1985 with two more following.

While his early recordings were dancehall and reggae he later moved towards hip hop and rap.