Kong became a producer in 1961 after meeting Jimmy Cliff. At The time, he was a Chinese Jamaican who sold ice-cream and records in his shop in Orange Street, Kingston, with the help of his three brothers. Kong would begin to achieve recognition towards 1968. If Coxsone, Duke Reid and Prince Buster dominated Ska and Rocksteady, it was Leslie Kong, in 1970, who best embodied the up and coming new sound of Reggae. He was the first producer to have international hits with reggae. Kong could proudly state that he had a selection of the best singers and vocal groups on the island; Desmond Dekker, Derrick Morgan, The Pioneers, The Maytals, The Wailers to name just a few of the most famous. Most of them would achieve their greatest success while at Beverley's records in this sacred era of early reggae. Kong also owed his success to his honest dealings with his artists and the English distribution via Island Records. But his prolific career ended suddenly in August 1971 when he died following a heart attack in his studio.

With Kong, there is always a problem between perception and reality. Leslie Kong productions are seen as too commercial with an "uptown" feel, lacking roots and the mysticism of Rastafarianism. He was one of the most successful producers in Jamaica because he employed top-notch musicians and paid particular attention to the qualities of the vocals and melodies. His music was instantly identifiable and the record-buying public, both in Jamaica and England, loved it.