Have you ever dreamed of what your life will be like when you grow up, with fame and controversy as encouragement? Say hi to Jaya Kelly, a brave singer-songwriter born on November 26, 2000, to the legendary R&B artist R. Kelly and actress-dancer Andrea Lee.
Being only 14 years old, Jaya made a public statement by coming out as transgender, which marked the beginning of a journey marked with resilience and self-discovery.
This article will explore how Jaya grew up cutting through an illustrious, and arguably complicated family history, how they developed into a celebrity child and young performer, and how they have used their ability in music and advocacy to influence others. You will also go into what issues Jaya has had to deal with, including social attention to developing a genuine sense of self, and how she has used this to channel it into creating music.
Excited to learn how Jaya Kelly is building out their legacy, note by note? Read on to get a close profile full of personal stories, career milestones, and what is next on the agenda of this blazing young star.
Who Is Jaya Kelly?
Jaya Kelly, also known as JaahBaby, is an American singer and the daughter of R&B singer R. Kelly and choreographer Andrea Lee. Born in 2000, Jaya came out as a transgender male in 2014 when he was 14, telling his story of self-discovery and identity.
Having grown up in a household that was entrenched in the entertainment business, Jaya was introduced to music and performing at an early age. Despite his father’s legal issues and subsequent public scrutiny, Jaya pursued his dream of music. He has been dropping tracks since 2014, first uploaded as JaahBaby on SoundCloud, which combines hip-hop and techno.
Jaya’s path, however, has not been without challenges. After he came out, he was bullied and spent three weeks in a psychiatric hospital due to bullying. But with the help of his mother and siblings, Jaya has persisted in being his true self. He has used his voice to work for trans rights and speak out about mental health.
As of 2025, Jaya is still an active part of the music industry; he has expressed his life experiences and feelings through his music, spreading messages of realness and fortitude.
Early life and family background
Parents and Siblings
The father of Jaya, R. Kelly, is a popular R&B singer famous for hit songs such as “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition (Remix).” The rapper has had a career plagued with legal woes, though, and in 2021, he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking, receiving a 30-year prison sentence.
Jaya’s mother, Andrea Lee, is a professional dancer and choreographer who has appeared in the VH1 television series “Hollywood Exes.” She was and still is an unwavering support of party spokeswoman Jaya, especially when the public learned about Jaya’s gender.
Jaya has a sister, Joann (“Buku Abi”), who is also a recording artist, and a young brother named Robert Jr., who is a college basketball player.
Embracing Identity: Jaya’s Transgender Journey
Jaya came out as trans in public at the age of 14 in 2014, taking the name Jaah. The news was shared on social media, with Jaya stating her childhood feeling of being born as a male.
It was the opposite of an easy adventure. She was also bullied in school and battled depression, which led to a three-week stay in a psychiatric hospital. Despite these challenges, Jaya was dedicated to living without shame and maintaining integrity.
Although Jaya’s father, R. Kelly, was measured in his reaction to the announcement, saying in a 2014 interview that the process is something they “never spoke about,” Jaya’s mother and sister were openly supportive. Andrea Lee confirmed her love and support, and Jaya was welcomed as Joann’s “little brother”.
Musical Endeavors: Carving Out a Unique Sound
Like the rest of the musical family, Jaya started singing in high school. Jaya released her debut single, ”Reservoir,” in 2014 under the alias JaahBaby. Here’s the list of tracks this album contains:
- “Fall Into”
- “Reflection”
- “Gentle”
- “Subtle”
- “No Regards”
- “Lost It”
- “Stalling” featuring Kel
- “Focus” Featuring Buku Ab
Jaya’s songs mix hip-hop with elements of techno, embodying a personal evolution and a desire to motivate others to embrace living authentically.
Advocacy and Public Presence
Outside of music, Jaya has been an activist for transgender individuals’ rights and mental health. On social media and in public, Jaya posts resources for trans youth, connecting them to mental health services and lawyers.
In 2023, Jaya worked on a campaign with the National Center for Transgender Equality, which focused attention on healthcare disparities among the transgender population.
Navigating Challenges: The Impact of Family Legacy
Jaya’s life has been complicated by her relationship with a controversial figure like R. Kelly. The cloud of R. Kelly’s legal woes has loomed heavy over Jaya, but she has been working to forge her own identity.
As part of this, the heirs have chosen to avoid the more sordid elements of the family history and concentrate on growth and creativity.
Current Status and Future Aspirations
Jaya still makes music and is involved in advocacy work as of 2025. Though she keeps a fairly private personal life, Jaya has been active on sites like SoundCloud and Instagram, continuing to release music and inspirational posts.
The journey is not over, as they hope to reach out to more in music and through standing up for those left behind.
How Is Jaya Kelly Contributing to the LGBTQ+ Community?
Jaya is frequently at LGBTQ+ youth conferences, podcasts, and panels. In 2024, they, together with others, launched the “Live Out Loud” series—a virtual safe space for young adults to share and discuss mental health and identity.
Their story is now part of the school curriculum on transgender visibility, and several trans artists and activists have said Mr. Morgan inspired them to come out.
Is Jaya Kelly on Social Media?
Yes. Jaya is also present on Instagram (@jaahbaby), Soundcloud, and Twitter, where they constantly update their followers about new music and personally respond to their fans with words of empowerment.
Jaya Kelly (@jayakellyy) also has a page on Instagram. This account posts photos and videos and is followed by 2,200 people. The material consists of candid pictures and a taste of his everyday life to give fans a peek inside his world. But the account is also rarely updated, as Jaya tends to prefer to keep to herself.
SoundCloud
For his music, Jaya goes by the name JaahBaby on SoundCloud. On SoundCloud, as a singer and songwriter, he goes by the moniker JaahBaby, and based on his profile, it seems he’s in a relationship with the anchor.
DROPXVI’s popular track “Eachother (Use Me)” was released in 2019 and has had good reviews from listners and fans. The site is the artist’s primary channel for delivering his sounds to fans and listeners at large.
Online Presence
Jaya Kelly runs these social media accounts but generally stays more out of the public eye online. His shares are sparse, suggesting he values his music over constant social engagement. This is in line with his intention to keep his private life private and to be able to concentrate on his art without the interruptions that come with a hectic online existence.
Overall, Jaya Kelly is active on social media, including Instagram and SoundCloud, where he posts a lot of his music. Still, nothing has been heard publicly about an official page in recent months.
What Are Jaya Kelly’s Future Plans?
In the future, Jaya Kelly will be releasing a debut album in late 2025, which is rumored to have collaborations with a few popular producers and indie artists. In interviews, Jaya has alluded to writing a memoir to help other young people make sense of similar experiences.
Jaya also has a YouTube series that is dedicated to transgender people and the struggle of being creative in the face of being uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Just as the journey of Jaya Kelly demonstrates, living an authentic life may sometimes involve celebrating successes as well as facing challenges. Having entered the public scene as a child of R. Kelly, bravely coming out as transgender at the age of 14, Jaya has been able to transform his hurdles into opportunities to flourish and create art. Their path through reflections, activism, and the publication of captivating and calling music highlights a completely general truth: being genuine resonates.
Today, Jaya is not just an upcoming artist but a testimony of perseverance. They keep inspiring the younger generation of LGBTQ + members through their lyrics, and every time they get on stage and show people the value of self-love.
Looking to the future, the ever-evolving nature of Jaya’s career therefore comes with emerging partnerships and ambition to further its storytelling, as well as to continue to employ art as a vehicle of change. As we celebrate Jaya Kelly, we realize the biggest change happens when we are brave enough to live and create with the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Jaya Kelly transgender?
Yes, Jaya has been openly transgender since 2014, having announced the news at the age of 14 and taken the name Jaah.
What’s Jaya Kelly’s occupation?
Jaya is a transgender social media star, singer, songwriter, and advocate for mental health and transgender rights.
How has Jaya Kelly’s family reacted to the gender change?
The response from Jaya’s father, R. Kelly, was more muted, though Jaya’s mother, Andrea Lee, and sister, Joann (who is known as Buku Abi), have been publicly supportive.
How can I hear Jaya Kelly’s music?
Jaya’s music can be found on SoundCloud under the stage name JaahBaby.
What are Jaya Kelly’s activism efforts?
Jaya is vocal about transgender issues and mental health, and also launched a campaign in 2023 with the National Center for Transgender Equality.
