R. Kelly | |
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Kelly at the premiere of Chapter 13-22 of Trapped in the Closet in 2007
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Born |
Robert Sylvester Kelly January 8, 1967 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1989–present |
Net worth | US$150 million (2014) |
Spouse(s) |
Aaliyah (m. 1994; annulled 1995) Andrea Kelly (m. 1996; div. 2009) |
Children |
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Parent(s) | Joanne Kelly |
Website | r-kelly |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
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Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Basketball career | |
Atlantic City Seagulls (USBL) | |
Personal information | |
Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
Career information | |
Playing career | 1997–1999 |
Position | Shooting guard / Small forward |
Number | 12 |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former professional basketball player. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play. He is known for a collection of major hit singles including "Bump N' Grind", "Your Body's Callin'", "I Believe I Can Fly", "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". In 1998, Kelly won three Grammy Awards for "I Believe I Can Fly". His distinctive sound and style has influenced numerous hip hop and contemporary R&B artists. Kelly became the first musician to play professional basketball, when he was signed in 1997.
Kelly has written, produced, and remixed songs and albums for many artists, including Aaliyah's 1994 debut album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. In 1996, Kelly was nominated for a Grammy for writing Michael Jackson's song "You Are Not Alone". In 2002 and 2004, Kelly released collaboration albums with rapper Jay-Z and has been a guest vocalist for other hip hop artists like Nas, Sean Combs, and The Notorious B.I.G.