Entertainer. Musician.

Mikel Neil Jr., also known as “Kelly Iris” hails from St.Louis, Mo. Currently residing in Scottsdale, AZ. Kelly is a graduate of Kansas State University where he earned his degree in Kinesiology. While he has always been passionate about health & fitness, he has also been very passionate about entertaining through song and dance from a very young age. What started as performing at family reunions, talent shows, and intimate gatherings has now transformed into local, national and international events! Sharing the stage with artists like Rae Sremmurd, Lil Uzi Vert, and Smino.

Kelly was the beginning of a new era for on-air talent. He started a “Thirsty Thursday” radio show through the campus channel KSDB 91.9 where he was able to start sharing his music with the world. His program was the first student led 2-hour hip-hop radio show which amassed over 10,000 listeners every Thursday. His name is one that is prominent on the Kansas State campus, where he performed for a wide variety of events which included “Poize Hip Hop Dance Show”, “Miss K-State Pageant”, “KSU Wildcat Step Show”, “K-State Men’s & Women’s Basketball Games”, “K-State Fraternity & Sorority Homecoming”, and “Wildcat Watch” to name a few. Kelly has also, been featured in a national commercial for K-State which has aired on Fox, ABC, TNT, ESPN, CBS, and NBC networks.

After Graduation Kelly hit the music scene with a BANG! Releasing his first single titled “The Beginning” in February 2017. In the summer of 2017 he had the opportunity to join the “SupaJefe Tour” with Kap G and J.R. Donato. Post tour he released a mixtape titled “Outta NoWhere”, an EP titled “On My Own Terms”, and an album titled “Halo’d”. It was then he realized he was going to take his music career more serious. Over the next 5 years he released songs featuring upcoming artists, another EP “Year Of The Blue”, and 2 notable singles “You Ain’t Real” and “Money & Power” which both received nationally syndicated radio airplay. One of his goals is to someday recieve recognition from the Billboard and Grammy organizations!

Kelly incorporates the principles he has learned throughout his life experiences to make his performances monumental for everyone involved. He relies heavily on these experiences to create group cohesion and inclusion displaying his leadership skills while performing for a diverse group of peers. His energetic personality and uplifting vibe is constantly shining through. His attitude towards life inspires and encourages everyone around him to continue on with their dreams. He is sure to bring the spark of energy that ignites your special event.

He has opened for an array of artists, such as, 50 Cent, Young Jeezy, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, Smino, Waka Flocka Flame, Kevin Gates and Rae Sremmurd.