R. Kelly

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Born 8 January 1967.

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R. Kelly chats to Jools Holland

R. Kelly talks to Jools Holland on Later...

Featured on BBC MUSIC SHOWCASE

Biography

Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Often referred to as King of R&B. Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play. He is known for a collection of major hit singles including "Bump n' Grind", "Your Body's Callin'", "I Believe I Can Fly", "Gotham City", "Ignition (Remix)", "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time", "The World's Greatest", "I'm a Flirt", and the hip-hopera "Trapped in the Closet". In 1998, Kelly won three Grammy Awards for "I Believe I Can Fly".

Kelly has written, produced, and remixed songs and albums for many artists, including Aaliyah's 1994 debut album Age Ain't Nothing But a Number. In 1996, Kelly was nominated for a Grammy for writing Michael Jackson's song "You Are Not Alone". In 2002 and 2004, Kelly released collaboration albums with rapper Jay-Z and has been a guest vocalist for other hip hop artists like Nas, Sean Combs, and Fat Joe.

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Links & Information

Latest News Stories

News from the BBC

  1. R. Kelly sets sail on love cruise

    Thu 15 Dec 2011 09:46

    The R&B star announces details of five-day cruise liner performance, dubbed the Love...
  2. R. Kelly to return after surgery

    Thu 11 Aug 2011 05:04

    R&B singer promises to return after throat surgery
  3. Throat surgery

    Thu 21 Jul 2011 10:56

    R. Kelly recovering after emergency tonsil operation

BBC Reviews

  1. Write Me Back 2012

    Review of Write Me Back

    Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

    A relaxed exercise in spanning the spectrum of human emotion.
  2. Untitled 2009

    Review of Untitled

    Reviewed by David Aaron

    Polished though it is, Untitled is ultimately flawed by overtly macho lyrics.
  3. Happy People/You Saved Me 2004

    Review of Happy People/You Saved Me

    Reviewed by Jack Smith

    Happy People treads a dangerous line between being likeable soul and copying classics...
  4. Chocolate Factory 2003

    Review of Chocolate Factory

    Reviewed by Jack Smith

    Despite the most suspect of titles, R Kelly appears to have pulled off one of the most...
  5. 12 Play 1993

    Review of 12 Play

    Reviewed by Daryl Easlea

    Although dubious of lyric, 12 Play still sounds contemporary and frequently surprising.

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