Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), widely recognized by his stage name R. Kelly, is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Despite his significant contributions to R&B and hip hop, he has garnered infamy as a convicted child sex offender.
Throughout his career, R. Kelly has been hailed with titles such as the King of R&B, the King of Pop-Soul, and the Pied Piper of R&B. Unfortunately, his musical success is overshadowed by numerous allegations of sexual abuse, including charges related to statutory rape, sex trafficking, and child pornography production.
In 2022, R. Kelly faced the legal consequences of these grave accusations, resulting in his conviction for sex trafficking and racketeering. Currently serving a lengthy prison sentence of 30 years, his fall from grace serves as a stark contrast to his once-celebrated status in the music industry.
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| WIKI FACTS & ABOUT DATA | |
| Full Name: | Robert Sylvester Kelly |
| Stage Name: | R. Kelly |
| Born: | 8 January 1967 (age 57 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Kenwood Academy |
| Height: | 1.85 m |
| Parents: | Joanne Kelly |
| Siblings: | Bruce Kelly, Theresa Kelly, Carey Kelly |
| Spouse: | Andrea Lee (m. 1996–2009), Aaliyah (m. 1994–1995) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Faith Rodgers, Halle Calhoun (2016), Azriel Clary (2015-2020), Joycelyn Savage (2015), Jerhonda Pace, Tracy Sampson (1999), Lisa Van Allen, Lizzette Martinez, Sparkle (1995), Ebonié Doyle (1993), Tiffany Hawkins, Bianca Darrington, Kim L. Dulaney, Trenyce, K. Michelle, Sparkle, Maxine Daniels (2007-2008), DeLeon Sheffield (2004), Jara Everett |
| Children: | Jaah Kelly, Robert Kelly Jr., Joann Kelly |
| Occupation: | Singer • Record Producer |
| Net Worth: | $2 million (USD) |
Table of Contents
Early Life & Education
R. Kelly, the renowned American singer-songwriter, was born on January 8, 1967, in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. During his formative years, he received nurturing care from his parents, with his mother, Joanne Kelly, standing as a dedicated schoolteacher and devout Baptist.
Conversely, limited information is available about his father, Mr. Kelly, as he remained unidentified in the media. R. Kelly was fortunate to share his upbringing with three siblings: Bruce Kelly, Theresa Kelly, and Carey Kelly.
As he embarked on his educational journey, R. Kelly enrolled at Kenwood Academy in the Hyde Park neighbourhood of Chicago.
Career
R. Kelly‘s passion for music was evident from a young age, and he wasted no time sharing his talent with the world. Even as a teenager, he fearlessly took to the stage, captivating audiences with his incredible voice and performance skills.
During this time, he caught the attention of many, leading him to an opportunity that would change his life forever. In the early 1990s, Kelly joined the renowned R&B group Public Announcement. Together, they achieved remarkable success with their chart-topping hit Born into the ’90s, solidifying their place in music history.
R. Kelly began his solo career in 1993 by releasing his album 12 Play, which included the immensely popular song Bump N’ Grind and showcased his unique combination of smooth vocals and provocative lyrics. His subsequent albums, such as R. Kelly (1995) and “” (2000), solidified his reputation as a chart-topping artist, producing hits like I Believe I Can Fly, I’m Your Angel featuring Celine Dion and Ignition (Remix).
R. Kelly‘s career was plagued by multiple accusations of sexual misconduct with underage girls, which resulted in settlements and lawsuits that damaged his reputation. Eventually, these allegations led to his downfall. However, in 2019, the release of Surviving R. Kelly reignited public attention and demanded that he be held accountable.
R. Kelly faced major legal ramifications in 2019 when he was indicted on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Following a highly publicized trial, the musician was found guilty in 2022, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence. This demise starkly contrasted his earlier standing as a recognized artist who had received great respect and recognition from fans and critics.
Awards & Nominations
- 2000: Best R&B Vocal Performance – Male for “I Believe I Can Fly” (won)
- 2000: Best R&B Song for “I Believe I Can Fly” (won)
- 2000: Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television for “I Believe I Can Fly” (won)
- 1998: Best R&B Vocal Performance – Male for “I Believe I Can Fly”
- 1998: Best R&B Song for “I Believe I Can Fly”
- 1998: Album of the Year for “R.”
- 1998: Record of the Year for “I Believe I Can Fly”
- 2003: Best R&B Album for “Chocolate Factory”
- 2004: Best R&B Album for “”
- 2005: Best R&B Song for “Ignition (Remix)”
- 2008: Best R&B Album for “Double Up”
- 2010: Best Contemporary R&B Album for “Untitled”
- 2012: Best R&B Album for “Love Letter”
- 2012: Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Radio Message”
- 2013: Best R&B Album for “Write Me Back”
- 2015: Best R&B Performance for “It’s Your World” (with Jennifer Hudson)
Social Media
R. Kelly‘s social media account cannot be found.
Personal Life
R. Kelly, aged 57, personal life has been incredibly tumultuous and filled with a myriad of controversies and allegations of abuse. Not only have his legal troubles affected him, but they have also had a profound impact on his relationships and children.
One notable relationship was with singer Aaliyah, whom he briefly married in 1994 when she was just 15 years old and he was 27. However, due to her underage status, the marriage was ultimately annulled by Aaliyah‘s parents.
Following his marriage to Aaliyah, R. Kelly began a long-term romance with choreographer Andrea Kelly. They were married from 1996 to 2009 and had three children. Andrea accused Kelly of physical and emotional abuse, which harmed their marriage.
Despite these tumultuous relationships and legal troubles, R. Kelly is a father to three children – Jaya Kelly, Robert Kelly Jr., and Joann Kelly. These scandals and controversies deeply affect the artist’s personal life.
Throughout his life, R. Kelly has been involved in numerous relationships with various women, including Faith Rodgers, Halle Calhoun, Azriel Clary, Joycelyn Savage, Jerhonda Pace, Tracy Sampson, Lisa Van Allen, Lizzette Martinez, Sparkle, Ebonié Doyle, Tiffany Hawkins, Bianca Darrington, Kim l. Dulaney, Trenyce, K. Michelle and Sparkle.
R. Kelly has encountered Maxine Daniels (2007-2008), DeLeon Sheffield (2004) and Jara Everett.
Discography
- 1992 12 Play
- 1993 R. Kelly & Public Announcement
- 1995 R. Kelly
- 2000 R. Kelly… I Believe
- 2004 Unfinished Business (with Jay-Z)
- 2005 TP.3 Reloaded
- 2007 Double Up
- 2007 Undisputed
- 2010 Love Letter
Net Worth
R. Kelly has drastically declined and currently stands at a staggering negative $2 million. This notable decrease is particularly noteworthy when considering his peak net worth in the late 1990s, estimated to be approximately $100 million. The sharp decline in his financial standing is undoubtedly disappointing for the musician, as it signifies a substantial setback in his wealth accumulation over the years.