Jim Kelly (b. Sylvester Morgan) was the oldest of five brothers, his youngest brother being the singer Junior Kelly (b. Keith Morgan, 1969). His parents were both involved in music, the father playing banjo (as well as Jim Kelly's grandfather) and the mother sung in church.

Jim Kelly became known as a resident deejay on the Killamanjaro Sound System, previously deejaying for Roots Unlimited. He was shot and killed in Spanish Town, Jamaica in 1983. His brother Junior Kelly witnessed the murder.