He won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit song "I Believe I Can Fly."
His debut album, "Born Into the ’90s," released in 1992, included hits that helped establish him as a leading figure in contemporary R&B.
Born in Chicago, R. Kelly began singing in the church choir at age eight, influenced by his mother's love for music.
Biography
Early Life
Robert Sylvester Kelly, known professionally as R. Kelly, was born on January 8, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in the Ida B. Wells Homes public housing project, he was raised by his mother, Joanne, a schoolteacher, and had five siblings. Kelly began singing in the church choir at the age of eight, influenced by his mother's musical tastes, which included artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. His early life was marked by trauma, including the tragic drowning of a childhood friend, which he described as his first musical inspiration.
Career
R. Kelly's music career took off in the early 1990s when he signed with Jive Records. His debut album, "Born Into the ’90s," released in 1992, featured hits like "She's Got That Vibe" and established him as a prominent figure in contemporary R&B. Over the years, he released numerous successful albums, including "12 Play," "R. Kelly," and "Chocolate Factory," selling over 75 million records worldwide. Kelly won three Grammy Awards for his iconic song "I Believe I Can Fly" and was often referred to as the "King of R&B" and the "Pied Piper of R&B."
Legacy
Despite his musical achievements, R. Kelly's legacy has been overshadowed by serious legal issues. In 2021 and 2022, he was convicted of multiple sex offenses, leading to a 31-year prison sentence. His accolades, including Grammy Awards, remain intact, but his reputation has been significantly tarnished. In 2013, he was honored with a key to the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was rescinded following his convictions. Kelly's story serves as a complex narrative of talent intertwined with personal and legal controversies.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
I Admit It2022
Tracklist not collected yet.
12 Nights of Christmas2016
- 1.My Wish for Christmas2:02
- 2.Snowman3:52
- 3.Home for Christmas3:18
- 4.Mrs. Santa Claus4:47
- 5.I’m Sending You My Love for Christmas4:38
- 6.Letters2:52
- 7.Once Upon a Time2:05
- 8.The Greatest Gift3:45
- 9.It’s Christmas Day4:01
- 10.Christmas Lovin’4:59
- 11.Flyin’ on My Sleigh3:24
- 12.12 Nights of Christmas3:43
The Buffet2015
- 1.The Poem1:20
- 2.Poetic Sex4:22
- 3.Anything Goes4:35
- 4.Let's Make Some Noise4:15
- 5.Marching Band3:57
- 6.Switch Up3:25
- 7.Wanna Be There4:16
- 8.All My Fault3:26
- 9.Wake Up Everybody3:42
- 10.Get out of Here with Me4:17
- 11.Backyard Party3:33
- 12.Sextime4:14
- 13.Let's Be Real Now3:05
- 14.I Just Want to Thank You3:23
- 15.Keep Searchin'4:31
- 16.Sufferin'4:00
- 17.I Tried4:10
- 18.Barely Breathin'4:45
The Essential R. Kelly2014
- 1.She’s Got That Vibe (radio edit)4:05
- 2.Honey Love (radio fade)4:20
- 3.Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ) (video mix)4:42
- 4.Sex Me, Pt. I (radio edit)4:17
- 5.Bump ’n’ Grind4:15
- 6.Your Body’s Callin’4:35
- 7.You Remind Me of Something4:10
- 8.Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)4:50
- 9.I Can’t Sleep Baby (If I) (radio edit)4:42
- 10.I Believe I Can Fly (radio edit)4:45
- 11.Lovin You Tonight (amended version)4:15
- 12.Gotham City (remix)4:45
- 13.Be Careful5:14
- 14.When a Woman’s Fed Up (radio version)4:35
- 15.Did You Ever Think (remix) (radio edit)4:04
- 16.If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time (radio edit)4:55
- 17.I’m Your Angel4:49
- 18.I Wish5:33
- 19.Feelin’ on Yo Booty4:06
- 20.The World’s Greatest (radio edit)3:55
- 21.Ignition (remix)3:06
- 22.Thoia Thoing3:41
- 23.Step in the Name of Love (remix) (radio edit)5:08
- 24.Hotel4:08
- 25.Happy People (radio edit)4:57
- 26.Wonderful (radio edit)4:31
- 27.In the Kitchen (cleaner version)3:37
- 28.Trapped in the Closet, Chapter 1 (edited version)3:27
- 29.I’m a Flirt (remix) (radio version)5:18
- 30.Same Girl4:14
- 31.Number One4:23
- 32.When a Woman Loves5:12
- 33.Love Letter (radio edit)3:37
- 34.Feelin’ Single3:31
- 35.U Saved Me6:14
Milestones2013
- 1.She's Got That Vibe4:36
- 2.Bump 'n' Grind (Old School mix)4:15
- 3.Your Body's Callin'4:36
- 4.Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)4:25
- 5.I Believe I Can Fly5:21
- 6.Gotham City4:51
- 7.When a Woman's Fed Up4:38
- 8.If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time4:56
- 9.I Wish5:16
- 10.The World's Greatest3:56
- 11.Ignition (remix)3:07
- 12.Snake4:20
- 13.Thoia Thoing3:43
- 14.Happy People6:05
- 15.Step in the Name of Love5:42
- 16.Religious3:05
- 17.Same Girl4:12
Black Panties2013
- 1.Legs Shakin’4:26
- 2.Cookie3:45
- 3.Throw This Money On You3:40
- 4.Prelude3:12
- 5.Marry the P***y4:14
- 6.You Deserve Better3:52
- 7.Genius3:59
- 8.All the Way3:50
- 9.My Story4:27
- 10.Right Back3:27
- 11.Spend That3:43
- 12.Crazy Sex2:37
- 13.Shut Up4:04
- 14.Tear It Up3:41
- 15.Show Ya P***y3:38
- 16.Physical4:17
- 17.Every Position3:26
Write Me Back2012
- 1.Love Is3:30
- 2.Feelin' Single3:29
- 3.Lady Sunday3:38
- 4.When a Man Lies3:36
- 5.Clipped Wings3:18
- 6.Believe That It's So6:09
- 7.Fool for You3:38
- 8.All Rounds on Me4:13
- 9.Believe in Me3:55
- 10.Green Light3:52
- 11.Party Jumpin'3:17
- 12.Share My Love3:44
- 13.Beautiful in This Mirror3:30
- 14.You Are My World3:20
- 15.Fallin From the Sky3:57
- 16.One Step Closer6:00
The World's Greatest2011
- 1.The World's Greatest3:56
- 2.I Believe I Can Fly5:22
- 3.If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time4:56
- 4.I Wish5:14
- 5.Can You Feel It3:53
- 6.Your Body's Callin'4:36
- 7.Happy People6:06
- 8.Love Letter4:50
- 9.Hair Braider4:05
- 10.You Remind Me of Something4:11
- 11.I Decided4:13
- 12.All I Really Want4:00
- 13.When a Woman's Fed Up4:39
- 14.If I'm Wit You4:32
- 15.Religious (explicit version)3:04
- 16.Ignition (remix)3:08
- 17.She's Got That Vibe4:33
- 18.Thoia Thoing3:41
- 19.Bump 'n' Grind (Old School mix)4:15
- 20.Gotham City4:53
- 21.Step in the Name of Love5:44
- 22.Chocolate Factory3:52
- 23.Dream Girl3:59
- 24.Like a Real Freak4:34
- 25.Just Like That4:35
- 26.Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)4:24
- 27.Snake4:21
- 28.Honey Love4:05
- 29.Half on a Baby4:56
- 30.Get Up on a Room4:11
Epic2010
- 1.Heal It (Prelude)1:24
- 2.Sign of a Victory (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem)4:12
- 3.I Believe4:58
- 4.The World's Greatest4:37
- 5.Victory4:04
- 6.Peace5:09
- 7.If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time6:17
- 8.Fireworks3:57
- 9.Spirit3:53
- 10.I'm Your Angel5:35
- 11.Can You Feel It3:52
- 12.I Believe I Can Fly5:20
I Believe I Can Fly: The Best of R.Kelly2010
- 1.I Believe5:23
- 2.Step in the Name of Love (remix)7:15
- 3.I Wish – Remix (To the Homies That We Lost)5:20
- 4.Your Body's Callin'4:38
- 5.Same Girl4:16
- 6.I Believe I Can Fly5:23
- 7.Hair Braider4:09
- 8.Bump n' Grind4:26
- 9.Happy People6:07
- 10.Ignitiion (remix)3:10
- 11.Supaman High4:28
- 12.When a Woman's Fed Up4:42
- 13.The World's Greatest (Radio Edit)3:58
- 14.Religious3:07
Essential Mixes2010
- 1.Step in the Name of Love (Tom Neville's Jazz Rocket mix)7:45
- 2.U Saved Me (Kenny Dope remix Loud Vox)6:46
- 3.Bump N' Grind (How I Feel It Mix - Extended)5:40
- 4.I Wish (To the Homies That We Lost remix)5:17
- 5.Your Body's Callin' (Prelude/His & Hers mix)4:57
- 6.Feelin' on Yo Booty (Hypnosis mix)3:17
- 7.I Can't Sleep Baby (If I) (Street version remix)4:04
- 8.Summer Bunnies (Contest extended remix)5:18
- 9.Be My #2 (Terry Hunter remix)6:23
- 10.Thank God It's Friday (The Incognito mix)6:09
Love Letter2010
- 1.Love Letter Prelude0:50
- 2.Love Letter4:49
- 3.Number One Hit4:24
- 4.Not Feelin' the Love3:34
- 5.Lost in Your Love4:34
- 6.Just Can't Get Enough3:10
- 7.Taxi Cab4:00
- 8.Radio Message3:50
- 9.When a Woman Loves5:15
- 10.Love Is3:24
- 11.Just Like That3:19
- 12.Music Must Be a Lady4:35
- 13.A Love Letter Christmas5:45
- 14.How Do I Tell Her?4:20
Untitled2009
Tracklist not collected yet.
Double Up2007
Tracklist not collected yet.
TP.3 Reloaded2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Happy People / U Saved Me2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Unfinished Business2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Chocolate Factory2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
The R. in R&B: Greatest Hits Collection, Volume 12003
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Best of Both Worlds2002
Tracklist not collected yet.
TP‐2.com2000
Tracklist not collected yet.
R.1998
Tracklist not collected yet.
R. Kelly1995
Tracklist not collected yet.
12 Play1993
Tracklist not collected yet.
Born Into the ’90s1992
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Jive Records
- Record label
- Rockland Records
- Record label
- RCA Records
Achievements
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media
Groups
- Black Men Unitedcurrent
- Mentally Gifted Mencurrent
- Public Announcementcurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Kelly, R., R Kelly, R-Kelly, R. Kellly, R.Kelly, Robert Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly, known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American former singer, songwriter, and record producer who is credited with prolific commercial success in contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and pop music recordings. Nicknamed "the King of R&B", "the King of Pop-Soul", and "the Pied Piper of R&B", Billboard has him ranked as the 9th greatest R&B artist of all time. His career ended following his 2021 and 2022 convictions and subsequent 31-year sentence for a series of child sex offences.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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