R. Kelly
Artist profile

R. Kelly

R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, started singing in Chicago church choirs. His debut album '12 Play' came out in 1993 with songs like 'Bump N' Grind'...

album413 lyric pages photo_library17 photos groups11 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
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Editor's note

R. Kelly, from Chicago choirs to federal prison

A singer whose R&B hits and criminal conviction define a complicated legacy.

For the early sound, 'Bump N' Grind' still plays in bars. The Ludacris track 'When I Think About You' shows how he fit into 2000s rap.

His 1993 debut '12 Play' gave us 'Bump N' Grind', a slow-burn R&B track that became a radio staple. Later, he worked with Ludacris on 'When I Think About You', blending his sound with hip-hop. The federal sex trafficking conviction in 2019 shifted how people hear those songs now.

He started in church choirs in Chicago before '12 Play' arrived in 1993. Through the 2000s, albums like 'R.' and 'Chocolate Factory' mixed R&B with pop, while collaborations with Snoop Dogg kept him in hip-hop circles. The 2019 conviction and 30-year sentence ended his recording career.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 19
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413 lyric pages live 17 photos available Editor's note live Video on page
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Background notes

Archive material and source history

R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, started singing in Chicago church choirs. His debut album '12 Play' came out in 1993 with songs like 'Bump N' Grind' and 'Your Body's Callin'. He worked on tracks such as 'When I Think About You' and 'Legs Shakin' with Ludacris, and appeared on Snoop Dogg's 'That's that'.

He released several albums through the 2000s including 'R.', 'TP-2.com', and 'Chocolate Factory'. His music mixed R&B with pop and hip-hop elements. Later albums like 'Black Panties' and 'The Buffet' came out in the 2010s.

In 2008, he faced charges related to a video that allegedly showed sexual acts with an underage girl, but was acquitted. Federal charges in 2019 led to a conviction for sex trafficking and racketeering, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence.

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Where should I start with R. Kelly on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with To The Homies We Lost, When I Think About You, and I Believe so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for R. Kelly?

LyroVerse currently has 413 visible lyric pages for R. Kelly.

Does R. Kelly have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 17 photos available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for R. Kelly?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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