With the Influx of AI, Kaelin Ellis is Bringing Man-Made Instrumentation Back to R&B

Blending funky instrumentation with jazz, soul, and everything in between, Kaelin Ellis is crafting a unique sound and community for a new generation of R&B producers.

Written by Destine Manson

All instrumentalist and producer Kaelin Ellis needs is a drumset and some time to bring an R&B track to life. His latest single, “Hello.Morning,” featuring Madison McFerrin and SWEATA, is one of many tracks that showcase his ear for simple but effective instrumentation.

The “Hello.Morning” cover art features a photo of his parents on their wedding day. His first release of 2026, Kaelin is intent on capturing his roots and journey as a musician, producer, and human being in the music he’s making.

Kaelin first found his love for music playing when his dad bought him a small CB drum kit. He spent his childhood playing while his dad was on the keys, conducting the choir in church. “Growing up in church, you play not to honor yourself, but to honor something far greater than you,” he recalled in an interview with In The Writers Mind.

Sonically, you can find rhythm and blues, funk, soul, jazz, and more in his music. Kaelin has collaborated with everyone from Lupe Fiasco, Joyce Wrice, Saba, Jazmine Sullivan, and Mick Jenkins to the K-pop group Exo. In a time where a lot of music can sound the same thanks to AI, he leans into musicianship to connect with listeners.

“I think being able to approach things from a musician’s perspective has allowed me to appreciate playing a lot more. I can have a moment during a show with my headphones on playing over a small arrangement and change the arrangement as it goes.”

A Kaelin Ellis live show is full of surprises and plenty of stank-face-approved moments. He’ll go from making you swing your hips to dance tracks “Come and Get Me” featuring Iman Europe, to blowing your mind with an electrifying drum solo to Denzel Curry’s “Ultimate.”

In 2025, Kaelin released two full-length projects, OFF BEAT and Chrysalis. In the midst of releasing two projects in one year, he toured the world, playing shows in Los Angeles, New York City, France, London, and beyond.

“It’s almost like trying to shoot jump shots after not having shot a jump shot in a long time,” Kaelin said about diving back into performing. He feels both the excitement and the nervousness of performing for a live audience again.

With the release date of his next project, Vol. XI: PATH approaching, he’s been reflecting heavily during his time off the road. On his IG, you can find snippets of a much tinier Kaelin Ellis banging on a drum set as his dad cheers him on behind grainy VHS footage.

“I got disconnected from my roots a little bit, and I recognized from that video of my dad talking to me when I was a little kid that everything I experienced is not random at all. It wasn’t just because I had a couple of records that did pretty well or people bought my samples, literally, my dad spoke that over me.”

When I spoke with Kaelin, he was in London on his way to a meeting with another producer he met online through his Twitch community. On Twitch, Discord, and YouTube, Kaelin documents his music-making process while interacting with viewers through livestreams.

He plans to build up his online community, The MKRS Club, to provide even more resources for up-and-coming producers. Fostering community through collaboration and knowledge sharing has remained important to him. He credits his community as one of the main reasons he’s never done creating.

On his next project Vol. XI : PATH Kaelin looks forward to exploring more Caribbean rhythms. His partner introduced him to artists like salsa musician Willie Colón, whom he credits heavily for his approach to instrumentation on this next project.

When asked what’s been giving him hope about the future of R&B, Kaelin spoke passionately about wanting to see more collaboration. “I love seeing the older generation of R&B embrace the younger kids who actually sit and learn about how to really craft a song. It’s like that moment in the Tank and Tyrese Verzuz where Tyrese introduces Kenyon Dixon. Kenyon’s so tough.”

With a newfound trust in himself and the community he’s building, Kaelin looks forward to creating art that moves people to discover something new about themselves. “I make music and create it because I feel God gave me a really incredible thing to use to help somebody else.”