R. Kelly- A colourful solo career

Nov 12, 2009

SINCE 1993, R. Kelly has released various albums in different genres. Among the biggest highlights is his 1996 single, I Believe I Can Fly, an inspirational song originally released on the soundtrack for the film Space Jam.

SINCE 1993, R. Kelly has released various albums in different genres. Among the biggest highlights is his 1996 single, I Believe I Can Fly, an inspirational song originally released on the soundtrack for the film Space Jam.

The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK Charts for three weeks and won three Grammy Awards in 1997.

For the film Batman & Robin, Kelly recorded the top 10 single, Gotham City. He also did the same for the film Ali, with The World’s Greatest.

In 1998, Kelly released the popular single I’m Your Angel (featuring Celine Dion) on the double album R, which was certified eight times multi-platinum in 2003.

In 2000, the singer released TP-2.com, which yielded the hits, I Wish and the remix to Fiesta, featuring Jay-Z.

Following the success of that song and another Kelly/Jay-Z collaboration, Guilty Til Proven Innocent, from Jay-Z’s Dynasty album, the duo collaborated on a joint album and tour entitled The Best of Both Worlds.

In 2003, he released Chocolate Factory with the popular singles Ignition, Snake and Step in the Name of Love. It became a runaway success selling over three million copies.

In 2007, Kelly released his eighth studio album Double Up, which included the hit single I’m a Flirt (remix), featuring T.I. and T-Pain.

Another hit on the album, Same Girl, was a collaboration between him and Usher, and it peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100 and number four on the R&B chart. His next album is set for release on December 1.

He produced the 1994 debut album by the then 15-year-old female R&B singer Aaliyah. He also worked on and produced You Are Not Alone for Michael Jackson’s 1995 album, History, and has worked with big names in the industry, including Mary J Blige, Wyclef Jean, Beyonce, Jenifer Lopez and Ne-yo.

Albums released
12 play (1993)
R. Kelly (1995)
R. (1998)
TP-2.com (2000)
Chocolate Factory (2003)
U saved me/Happy people (2004)
TP.3 reloaded (2005)
Double Up (2007)
Untitled (out December 2009)

Awards
American Music Award
2000: Favourite male soul/R&B Artist
2005: Favourite male soul/R&B Artist

BET Awards
2003: Best male R&B artist

Billboard Awards
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Album (TP2.com)
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks (“Fiesta”)
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist — Male
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Album Artist
2001: Top R&B/Hip Hop Album Artist — Male

Grammy Awards
1998: Best R&B Song (I Believe I Can Fly)
1998: Best R&B Male Vocal Performance (I Believe I Can Fly)
1998: Best Original Song from A Soundtrack (I Believe I Can Fly)

Source Hip Hop Awards
1999: R&B Artist of the Year
2001: R&B Artist of the Year

Vibe Awards
2003: R&B Vanguard Award

Trivia
R. kelly has sold over 33 million albums worldwide (according to the RIIA and ranks 49th on their all-time best-selling artistes).

He had the most top 10 singles in America during the 90s.
Frequently wears basketball jerseys with the number 12 on to commemorate his groundbreaking album 12 Play.

Writes, arranges and produces all of his own songs.
His mother, Joanne Kelly, died in 1993
He had a young Halle Berry as his love interest in one of his first videos 1992 Honey Love.

R.Kelly got out on $750,000 (sh1.4b) bail after being charged with 21 counts of producing child pornography.

He has recorded a song about his court battle and released it exclusively to his local radio station.

Kelly also launched a $75m (sh142b) lawsuit against Jay-Z for removing him from the tour, which received a counter suit by Jay-Z which was thrown out by the judge.

Kelly shares a birthday with Sean Paul.

Compiled by Joseph Ssemutooke

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