XTrail: R. Kelly

Robert Kelly, popularly known as R. Kelly, is an American R&B singer who has also been commended for dexterity in music production and song writing.

As a music producer, he has worked with notable artists such as the late Michael Jackson (he did a special rendition of their collaboration “You Are Not Alone” at a recent concert stop in South Africa), his sister Janet, Quincy Jones, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kanye West and many more. He is also credited with discovering and mentoring the late R&B singer, Aaliyah.

As a young aspirant in music, Kelly won the grand prize of $100,000 (approximately ₦14.5m) alongside friend Vincent Walker and Shawnth Brooks on television talent hunt show Big Break. The African-American singer is billed to perform in Nigeria in July 2009, in his first ever visit to Africa.

1967: Born Sylvester Robert Kelly in Chicago, Illinois to a singer mum in the group, Six Pack.

1980: He is shot at age 13 but it is later reported as a suicide attempt by a Chicago tabloid.

1990: Forms the group, Musical Gifted Men (MGM) with friend Marc McWilliams.

1991: Debuts in mainstream music with the group Public Announcement and releases album, Born into the 90’s

1993: Debuts solo career with album 12 Play. “Bump ‘N Grind” from the album gets to the number one spot, spending a record 12 weeks on the Hot R&B Singles chart, while 12 Play held the number one spot for nine weeks on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.

1994: Produces a remix of Janet Jackson’s “Anytime, Any Place” and works on “You are Not Alone” for her older brother, Michael. He is alleged to have married teenage singer Aaliyah although both artists deny the marriage. Urban magazine Vibe goes ahead to publish a marriage certificate.

1995: Belgian right society, SABAM, alleges that Robert Kelly Plagiarized the “You are Not Alone” lyrics from a work originally composed by Eddy and Danny Van Passe. He also releases his self titled sophomore album which contains the hits “I Can’t Sleep” and “You Remind Me of Something.”

1996: Releases critically acclaimed single “I Believe I Can Fly” on the Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny helmed Motion Picture soundtrack, Space Jam. He marries Andrea Lee, a dancer from his group and they had three children together.

1998: Releases double CD album R. It is Kelly’s biggest selling album to date with over 8 million units sold. Releases “Gotham City” for the Batman & Robin movie soundtrack and “World’s Greatest” for the Ali movie soundtrack. Also wins 3 Grammies including Best R&B Song (I Believe I Can Fly)

1999: Alongside Wyclef Jean, co-writes the soundtrack for the movie, Life, starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

2000: Releases album TP-2.com which included the hot singles, “I Wish” and “Fiesta” which was later remixed featuring heavyweight rapper Jay-Z.

2002: Releases a duet album with Jay-Z, The Best of Both Worlds, which receives little promotion because of Kelly’s indictment for child pornography after the release of a videotape showing an allegedly fourteen year old daughter of an associate and Kelly engaging in sex.

2003: Releases Chocolate Factory, and many of its tracks are bootlegged. The album however still sells over three million copies, thanks to hits like “Ignition,” “Snake” and “Step in the Name of Love.” Also releases compilation album, The R. in R&B Volume 1.

2004: Releases second double CD album, Happy People/You Saved Me. The first disc contains secular songs while the latter is a gospel inspired plate. A second duet album with Jay-Z, Unfinished Business is released and it peaks at number one on the Billboard Chart.

He is removed from The Unfinished Business Tour with Jay-Z for an alleged refusal to perform. He sues the rapper for $75 million (approximately ₦10.9b) for removing him from the tour.

2005: Releases TP.3 Reloaded which features the musical soap opera series, “Trapped in the Closet” which has five parts. Parts 6 through 12 are later released.

2006: He is accused of not paying song royalties and breach of contract by former employee, Henry “Love” Vaughn. Vaughn also alleges that Kelly imprisoned him in his basement where he was physically assaulted. However, no case is filed after investigation by the Olympia Field Police Department.

2007: Releases eight solo studio album, Double Up which includes “I’m a Flirt (Remix)” featuring T.I and T-Pain. The accompanying video flashes a telephone number on the screen that when dialled features a recorded message by Kelly talking about the new album.

“Rise Up,” another single from the album is released for Internet download and the proceeds are donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, which caters to families of the Virginia Tech Massacre. Also releases parts 13 through 22 of the “Trapped in the Closet” series.

2008: He is acquitted from the child pornography charges and releases a rap single, “I’m a Beast.”

2009: Makes first trip to Africa with stops including South Africa and Nigeria planned. He promises another album which he says will be named Untitled.

Sources: Grammy.com; Wikipedia.org; Thisdayonline.com; Myspace and R-Kelly.com