Robert Sylvester Kelly famed as R. Kelly is an American singer, songwriter, former basketball player and record producer. He was signed to play professional basketball making him the first musician to play basketball professionally. He has a large number of collection of single albums which are the major hits. He has released 12 solo studio albums. He is known for various songs including "I Believe I Can Fly", "Bump N' Grind", "Your Body's Callin'", "Gotham City", "Ignition (Remix)", "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time", "The World's Greatest", "I'm a Flirt (Remix)", and the hip-hopera "Trapped in the Closet". He is the winner of 3 Grammy Awards, 6 NAACP Image Awards, 11 Soul Train Awards, 2 American Music Awards, and 1 BET Awards. He has also won numerous Billboard Music Awards, a Guinness World Records, and countless nominations. He has influenced numerous hip-hop and contemporary R&B due to his distinctive sound and style. He was the 55th best-selling music artist in the United States, with over 32 million album sales according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as of 2019. A widely viewed Lifetime docuseries titled Surviving R. Kelly detailed allegations of sexual abuse by multiple women, allegations Kelly denies in January 2019. On 22nd February 2019, Kelly was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
After Surviving R. Kelly: Lifetime to Air Special on the Aftermath of Shocking Docu-Series
- Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact was aired Saturday, May 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and picks up where the record-breaking original docu-series left off.
- Lifetime first aired their shocking docu-series compiling multiple women’s sexual abuse allegations against R&B star Robert Sylvester Kelly that span decades back in January, and the record-breaking documentary has since been viewed by 26 million people.
- The docu-series, executive produced by Dream Hampton who was recently named one of the Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People due to her work on the film, also renewed attempts by Kelly’s accusers to have him face justice for his alleged crimes.
- The star is now facing 10 counts of felony aggravated sexual assault and is awaiting trial.
Surviving R. Kelly
- Lifetime began airing a six-part documentary series detailing sexual abuse and misconduct allegations against Kelly in January 2019.
- According to a report by TMZ, he plans to take legal action against the creators of the series and Lifetime.
- He launched a Facebook page where he sought to discredit the accusers who appeared in the docuseries within two weeks.
- Facebook removed the page for violating their standards. It appeared to contain personal contact information for his accusers.
Alleged sexual abuse of minors
- The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (Illinois) charged Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on 22nd February.
- The charges allege that from 1998 to 2010, Kelly sexually abused four females, three of whom were teen minors at the time, with evidence including a video provided by Michael Avenatti that allegedly depicts a new crime.
- The judge set a $1 million bond and ordered Kelly to have no contact with any minor under 18 or alleged victim.
- On Monday, March 6, 2019, television program CBS This Morning broadcast an interview by Gayle King with Kelly, in which Kelly insisted on his innocence and blamed social media for the allegations.
- On March 6, 2019, Kelly was taken back to the Cook County Jail after failing to pay $161,633 in child support.
- On March 9, 2019, he was released after someone, who didn't want to be identified, paid off the child support.
Famous For
- Being one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
- Being the fifth black best-selling music artist in the United States, recognized by RIAA.
- Being named the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years, recognized by Billboard.
Where was R. Kelly born?
R. Kelly was born on 8th January 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, the U.S. with the birth name of Robert Sylvester Kelly. As of 2019, his age is 52 but his age will be turning to 53 on his next birthday in January as of 2020. He belongs to American nationality and is of White-American ethnicity. He was raised by her single mother Joanne, as he never saw his biological father. He never had the privilege of having a father figure in his life. More information about his father is not available. Her mother was also a singer. She passed away in 1993. He had a very difficult childhood as his family lived in poverty and struggled to make ends meet. At a young age, he was often sexually abused by a woman who was ten years older than him. He is one of the five children in his family. He attended Kenwood Academy in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood in the fall of 1981. At the time, he also played basketball for the school team and was also an athletic student. Later, he shifted his focus on music after his music teacher Lena McLin discovered his musical talent. McLin advised him to leave the sport. His religion is Christian and his horoscope sign is Capricorn.
Is R. Kelly married?
R. Kelly is a married person. He has married firstly to his girlfriend the late R&B singer, Aaliyah. However, the couple shared the journey of their marriage only for a year and consequently divorced in 1995. Unfortunately, his ex-wife Aaliyah passed away at the young age of 22. He then married his former backup dancer, Andrea Kelly in 1996. He separated with his second wife in 2005. His second wife Andrea filed a restraining order against him in September 2005. Their divorce was finalized later in 2009. In 2018, Andrea alleged Kelly that he physically abused her several times. They have a daughter named Joann Kelly and two sons namely Jay Kelly and Robert Kelly Jr. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Joann Kelly on March 19, 1998.
Later, R. Kelly began dating with the model, Halle Calhoun. The couple also attended a party together at Gold Room in Atlanta. Further, there were rumors of him that Kelly had an affair with Kenny Bryant's wife Asia Childress. As of today, the couple is living a happy life without any disturbances.
How much is R. Kelly's worth right now?
As of 2019, the net worth of this is successful music artists of all time, R. Kelly is estimated to be $150 million. He is considered one of the best-selling artists. He has sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide. He has earned a mouthwatering fortune producing music. His main source of wealth is his music career, mainly singing and songwriter. In the year 1989, R. Kelly received $100,000 as a grand prize by the talent TV show Big Break so far. His exact salary will be added soon.
How tall is R. Kelly?
Kelly is a very handsome singer with a tall height of 1.85 m and balanced weight of 91 kg. His hair color is black and eye color is dark brown. He has a balanced and healthy body. His other body measurement will be added soon.
How was the career (beginning-present) journey of R. Kelly?
- In the year 1989, R. Kelly got his first breakthrough, when Kelly and his friends Marc McWilliams, Shawn Brooks, and Vincent Walker made their appearance in the talent television show called Big Break.
- The show awarded him a $100,000 grand prize.
- In the year 1990, he landed a recording contract with Jive Records.
- In there, he released his debut album Born into the ’90s with the group named Public Announcement as his backup group in the year 1992.
- He also gained overnight popularity from the album and appearing two pop R&B singles, "Honey Love" and "Slow Dance".
- In January 1993, he left the group in January 1993.
- He released his debut solo album, "12 Play" on November 9, 1993.
- The album provided his first No. 1 hit number called Bump N' Grind.
- The song broke the record ranking at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for 12 weeks.
- In the year 1995, he released his self-titled album, R. Kelly with introspective lyrics and foot-tapping music.
- The songs were, ‘You Remind Me of Something’, ‘Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)’ and ‘I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)’ listed at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
- He released his fourth studio album and first double album called, R. The album contained different genres from pop, street rap, and Blues in 1998.
- R. reached number one on the R&B chart making it Kelly's third number one album.
- His second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was "I'm Your Angel," which was a duet with Celion Dion.
- He released his seventh studio LP, ‘TP.3 Reloaded’ which became his fourth No. 1 hit on the Billboard 200 album chart.
- He also released the album ‘Double Up’ in 2007, the album’s single, ‘I’m a Flirt Remix’ also peaked at No.1 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.
- His 2013 album, Black Panties, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart as well as gained mixed reviews from the critics.
- He earned $350,000 by selling 335 thousand copies of his album, Black Panties 2014.
- The album's (The Buffet) first single "Backyard Party" was released August 21, 2015.
- The album's second single "Switch Up" was released November 5, 2015.
- He presented his first Christmas album, and fourteenth studio album, 12 Nights of Christmas, on 21st October 2016.
What awards has R. Kelly achieved?
R. Kelly has been awarded and nominated for many awards during his career, as a songwriter, producer, and singer. His awards include a Guinness World Records, 3 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 1 BET Awards, 6 NAACP Image Awards, 11 Soul Train Awards, and numerous Billboard Music Awards.
