Kelly “DJ Kels” Brown

Kelly “DJ Kels” Brown is a Chicago-born DJ, music producer, and performer whose high-energy sound and dynamic stage presence have taken her from Jackson State University to major stages, arenas, and cultural events across the country. Now based in Portland, Oregon, DJ Kels continues to build a national presence at the intersection of music, sports, entertainment, and community.

Kels enhanced her passion for DJing while attending Jackson State University(JSU), where her love for music and live entertainment evolved into a professional career. After graduating from JSU, she expanded her experience across the entertainment and business worlds, working in the front office of the NBA, NHL, and WNBA, as well as in the technology industry. These experiences gave her a unique perspective on sports, entertainment, large-scale events, and the business behind the culture.

As a professional DJ, Kels has served as an Official DJ for both the WNBA and NBA and has performed at major venues including Gainbridge Fieldhouse. She has also opened for legendary artists Mary J. Blige and Nas. Her performances have taken her coast to coast, with appearances in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Indianapolis, Dallas, New York City, Miami, New Jersey, Jackson, Mississippi, Portland, and San Jose.

Kels is professionally trained and certified in DJing and Ableton music production through Scratch DJ Academy in New York and Deckademics in Indianapolis. Her work extends beyond the DJ booth into music production, where she has produced music for the NBA, Jackson State University’s Marketing Department, and collaborated with JSU’s iconic marching band, The Sonic Boom of the South.

Her experience spans some of the country’s most recognizable sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, including SXSW, the Women’s Big Ten College Basketball Tournament, the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic at Prudential Center, and the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium.

Beyond performing, DJ Kels is passionate about using music and technology as tools for mentorship, education, and community impact. Through DJ culture and music production, she works to inspire and empower kids, teens, and college students to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and see music as a pathway to opportunity.

From the South Side of Chicago to Jackson State and now Portland, DJ Kels brings together music, culture, sports, and community wherever she goes. Her mission is simple: create unforgettable experiences, amplify culture, and use music to make an impact.