Jim Kelly also known as Black Sinatra is what most people would call a natural. His intelligent word play and cadence is what makes him stand out in the universe of emcees today. JK has always been attracted to street poetry adding his own touch of humor and a heavy helping of painful recollections.
JK has been known to sing off key while belting out Jim Morrison-like melodies that haunt the track. He actually pulls it off because he is so committed to the song he does. JK is also one of the original members of Tha Beggas and was at one time a part of Black Lotus.
He started out rhyming back in High School rocking house parties, talent shows clubs you name it JK then known as Mellow Logic with his partner Solsinistr (Soul Sinister) aka LongAxe together formed Subject Matter. After working with different producers JK met Father Lord and some of the other members of the soon to be Beggas Clan.
He remembers one night seeing Actual Facts perform and opening for Brand Nubian and recalls the energy and power they commanded on stage. Soon after he was asked to join a group called 1-40. After creating a few songs the group split and JK went on to join LongAxe as a member of Black Lotus. The chemistry was great between the members. With the addition of Dragonfly soon there were classic songs such as “Magnetic Storm” and “Lotus Fountain” which soon became evidence that Black Lotus was a creative force to be reckoned with.
JK was also attracted to production and helped produce some of the early Subject Matter songs. This enabled him to contribute ideas for songs and take the lead at times with the direction of the songs. You couldn’t help but stop and start bopping your head when JK hopped on a track.
JK was and still is a very profound person. His lyrics revealed incidents in his past that he was struggling to come to terms with. These experiences feed is talent and sometimes created conflict within his world. JK always believed in his dreams, his talents and even when some had doubts he was optimistic and fiery. JK has always been like the wind in some cases arriving from nowhere while pushing you in the direction of satisfaction.
After a few years of blood sweat and tears JK came to a crossroad. Instead of allowing himself to be beaten by the hardships of trying to capture success he pulled a “Steve Austin” for a year and came back stronger faster and more vicious on the M.I.C. during this time he was solo but still held his allegiances to Black Lotus. He would create some classic songs and become a sought after guest emcee on tracks such as “Solutions” with Ooh Aah, “Playing with Fire” with LongAxe and “Don’t Fall Away”. JK does a great job of holding down the Bolo’s Kitchen Blood Sweat and Years CD because he has 1st hand experience in the struggle. For our listeners JK is that soulful street hero that had the best lines in the old blaxploitation films or that cool cat on the block that could draw anyone up with his intensity and sense of humor.
Currently JK is helping humanity out by teaching kids and young adults at a University in China which he says is surrounded by tranquility and a lot of curious people who like to stop and check out this soul brother at times. He says that he is learning more and more about his abilities because when you’re thousands of miles away from your old self its easier to find your new or shall we say true self. JK is slated to return to the states in May of 2005 to work on his first solo album (Untitled). We all know with his return he will bring gifts; gifts of insight, redemption and also that sick funk saturated flow topped off with the coolness of a black Sinatra. Until then we will holdfast and continue to make music but when he returns we will all make History!