Editing R. Kelly (section)

==Career==
During his [[R. Kelly discography|recording career]], Kelly sold over 75 million records worldwide, making him the most commercially successful male [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] artist of the 1990s and one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|world's best-selling music artists]].<ref name="Billboard Magazine2">{{cite news |date=25 December 1999 – 1 January 2000 |title=Top 90's R&B/Hip-Hop Artists |magazine=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 |access-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Billboard-2021">{{Cite magazine |title=R. Kelly |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/r-kelly/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117044530/https://www.billboard.com/artist/r-kelly/ |archive-date=2021-11-17 |access-date=2022-05-11}}</ref> He won three [[Grammy Awards|Grammys]] for his song "[[I Believe I Can Fly]]", and was also nominated for his song "[[You Are Not Alone]]" recorded by [[Michael Jackson]].<ref name="grammys-r-kelly2">{{cite web |title=R. Kelly |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/r-kelly/11659 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327174106/https://www.grammy.com/artists/r-kelly/11659 |archive-date=2022-03-27 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=[[Grammy.com]] |publisher=[[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Critics dubbed him "the [[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of R&B]]"<ref name="Jet-1999">{{cite magazine |date=28 December 1998 – 4 January 1999 |title=R. Kelly Reveals |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9sMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |magazine=Jet |page=56 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="BBC-2018">{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=BBC World News - R Kelly: Sex, Girls & Videotapes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p060m6qx |access-date=2021-10-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB |quote=Recognised as one of the most acclaimed RnB artists in the world, R Kelly has sold over 60 million albums globally and has been dubbed the "King of RnB". Despite his musical success there are multiple underlying rumours and accusations about the artist which paint a much darker picture.}}</ref><ref name="Ogunnaike-2002">{{Cite news |last=Ogunnaike |first=Lola |date=May 2002 |title=Caught in the Act |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/r-kelly-caught-in-the-act-vibe-cover-story-629075/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509020207/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/r-kelly-caught-in-the-act-vibe-cover-story-629075/ |archive-date=2021-05-09 |access-date=October 23, 2021 |newspaper=Vibe.com |quote=. . . news broke of a self-made sex tape with a minor. Can the King of R&B withstand the heat?}}</ref> while he billed himself the "[[Pied Piper of Hamelin|Pied Piper]] of R&B".<ref name="Heath-2016b">{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Chris |date=2016-02-03 |title=Why R. Kelly Calls Himself "the Pied Piper of R&B" |url=https://www.gq.com/story/why-r-kelly-calls-himself-pied-piper |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1989–1994: ''Born into the 90's and'' ''12 Play''===
{{Main|Public Announcement|Born into the 90's|12 Play}}
MGM (Musically Gifted Men or Mentally Gifted Men)<ref name="thecase"/> was formed in 1989 with Robert Kelly, Marc McWilliams, Vincent Walker and Shawn Brooks. In 1990, MGM were offered a contract with an independent label, Tavdash Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music Stars Who Started in Groups You Never Heard Of |url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/uu71ac/music-stars-who-started-in-groups-you-never-heard-of/0u2iti |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=BET |language=en}}</ref> Shortly after, they recorded and released one single, "Why You Wanna Play Me".<ref name="Brown-2004" /> Kelly gained national recognition when MGM participated on the talent TV show ''[[Big Break (American TV series)|Big Break]]'', hosted by [[Natalie Cole]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Danyel|date=January 4, 2019|title=Revisit R. Kelly's Dec 1994/Jan 1995 Cover Story: SUPERFREAK|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/r-kellys-dec-1994-jan-1995-cover-story-superfreak-629059/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/r-kellys-dec-1994-jan-1995-cover-story-superfreak-629059/|archive-date=2021-09-28|website=Vibe Magazine}}{{cbignore}}</ref> MGM performed "All My Love", which would become a demo for Kelly's song "She's Got That Vibe".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Klages|first=Karen E.|date=April 10, 1991|title=THE $100,000 MEN|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-04-10-9102010969-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-04-10-9102010969-story.html|archive-date=2021-09-28|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The group went on to win the $100,000 grand prize in 1991 before they disbanded.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 25, 1991 |title=Big Break Winners |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9LoDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Natalie+Cole+Big+Break&pg=PA35 |magazine=Jet |pages=35}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Danyel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dywEAAAAMBAJ&q=aaron+hall+r+kelly&pg=PA53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009214650/https://books.google.com/books?id=dywEAAAAMBAJ&q=aaron+hall+r+kelly&pg=PA53|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2021|title=Superfreak|date=December 1994|publisher=Vibe Magazine|volume=2|pages=52–56|language=en|issue=10}}</ref>

In 1991, Kelly signed with [[Jive Records]].<ref name="Brown-2004">{{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Jake|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=exx2IVCnlsQC&q=R+kelly+signed+with+Jive+Records+in+1991&pg=PA21|title=Your Body's Calling Me: Music, Love, Sex & Money : the Life & Times of "Robert" R. Kelly|date=2004|publisher=Amber Books Publishing|isbn=9780972751957|language=en}}</ref> Kelly's debut album, ''[[Born into the 90's]]'', was released in early 1992 (credited as R. Kelly and [[Public Announcement]]). The album, released during the [[new jack swing]] period of the early 1990s, yielded the R&B hits "She's Got That Vibe", "[[Honey Love (R. Kelly and Public Announcement song)|Honey Love]]", "Dedicated", and "Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)", with Kelly singing lead vocals.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-kelly-mn0000319347/biography| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-kelly-mn0000319347/biography| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly Biography|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 27, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During late 1992, Kelly and Public Announcement embarked on a tour entitled "60653" after the zip code of their Chicago neighborhood.<ref name="AP Timeline" /> This would be the only album co-credited with Public Announcement. Kelly separated from the group in 1993.<ref name="WBEZ Timeline" />

{{quote box
| width = 20em
| align = right
| quote = "When I create a song for myself or another artist, I see the entire thing— what the song should be like, how it should be produced, how the video should look, the image of the artist for the single— it's a package deal."
| source = — R. Kelly (1994)<ref name=BillboardMagazine>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43|title=Career Milestones Keep Coming For Jive's Kelly|date=December 10, 1994|access-date=January 24, 2012|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Reynolds|first=J.R.}}</ref>
}}

Kelly's first solo album, ''[[12 Play]]'', was released on November 9, 1993, and yielded the singer's first number-one hit, "[[Bump n' Grind (R. Kelly song)|Bump N' Grind]]", which spent a record-breaking 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Singles]] chart. Subsequent hit singles: "[[Your Body's Callin']]" (U.S. Hot 100: #13, U.S. R&B: #2) and "[[Sex Me]]" (U.S. Hot 100: #20, U.S. R&B: #8). Both singles sold 500,000 copies in the United States and were certified Gold by the RIAA.<ref name="allmusic"/> In 1994, ''12 Play'' was certified Gold by the RIAA, eventually going six times platinum.<ref name="RIAA albums">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=R.%20Kelly&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|title=RIAA&nbsp;–old & Platinum&nbsp;–. Kelly (album search results)|publisher=RIAA|access-date=July 12, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904060328/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=R.%20Kelly&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|archive-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref>

In 1994, Kelly established himself as a leading producer by producing songs for various artists, including [[Aaliyah]], [[Janet Jackson]], and [[Changing Faces (group)|Changing Faces]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 11, 1994 |title=Terri Rossi's Rhythm Section |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UAgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=billboard+r.+kelly+year+1994+june&pg=PA20 |magazine=Billboard |pages=20}}</ref> He co-headlined a tour with [[Salt-N-Pepa]] and headlined the Budweiser Superfest tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Patrick |date=September 30, 1994 |title=Hip-Hoppin' In The Dome -- R. Kelly Headlines A Star-Studded Card |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940930&slug=1933298 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref name=BillboardMagazine/>

=== 1995–1996 ''R. Kelly'' and "I Believe I Can Fly" ===
{{Main|R. Kelly (album)|I Believe I Can Fly}}
In 1995, Kelly garnered his first [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] nominations; two for writing, producing, and composing Michael Jackson's last number-one hit, "[[You Are Not Alone]]".<ref name="grammys-r-kelly2" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2MMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54|title=R. Kelly: What's next for the Grammy Award-winning Superstar|date=June 8, 1998 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref>

Kelly's success continued with the November 14, 1995, release of ''[[R. Kelly (album)|R. Kelly]]'', his eponymous second studio album. Critics praised him for his departure from salacious bedroom songs to embracing vulnerability. ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' contributor Stephen Holden described Kelly as "The reigning king of pop-soul sex talks a lot tougher than Barry White, the father of such fluffed-up pillow talks and along with Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway, [both] major influences for Kelly."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/17/arts/pop-briefs-020826.html?ref=rkelly|location=New York|work=The New York Times|title=Pop Briefs|date=December 17, 1995|first=Stephen|last=Holden}}</ref> In December 1995, Professor [[Michael Eric Dyson]] critiqued Kelly's self-titled album "R. Kelly" for ''[[Vibe (magazine)|VIBE]]''. Dyson described Kelly's growth from the ''12 Play'' album: "Kelly reshapes his personal turmoil to artistic benefit" and noted that Kelly is "reborn before our very own ears".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA138|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820033106/https://books.google.com/books?id=ySsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA138|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2020|title=R. Kelly (album) Review|date=December 1995}}</ref>

The album reached number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, becoming Kelly's first number one album on the chart, and reached number one on the R&B album charts; his second. The ''R. Kelly'' album spawned three platinum hit singles: "[[You Remind Me of Something]]" (U.S. Hot 100: #4, U.S. R&B: #1), "[[I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)]]" (U.S. Hot 100: #5, U.S. R&B: #1), and "[[Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)]]" (U.S. Hot 100: #4, U.S. R&B: #1); a duet with [[Ronald Isley]]. Kelly's self-titled album sold four million copies, receiving 4× platinum certification from the RIAA.<ref name="RIAA albums"/> He promoted the album with a 50-city "Down Low Top Secret Tour" with [[LL Cool J]], [[Xscape (band)|Xscape]], and Solo.<ref name="Pareles-1996">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/13/arts/music-review-invitations-to-passion-of-a-certain-kind.html?ref=rkelly|location=New York|work=The New York Times|title=MUSIC REVIEW;Invitations to Passion of a Certain Kind|date=April 13, 1996|first=Jon|last=Pareles}}</ref>

On November 26, 1996, Kelly released "[[I Believe I Can Fly]]", an inspirational song originally released on the soundtrack for the film ''[[Space Jam]]''. "I Believe I Can Fly" reached No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and No. 1 on the UK charts for three weeks and won three [[40th Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards in 1998]].<ref name="grammys-r-kelly2"/><ref name="allmusic"/> In that same year, he contributed to "Freak Tonight" for the ''[[A Thin Line Between Love and Hate]]'' soundtrack.

===1997–2001: Basketball, ''R.'', ''TP-2.com'', and Rockland Records===
{{Main|Rockland Records|R. (R. Kelly album)|TP-2.com}}
In 1997, Kelly signed a contract to play professional basketball with the Atlantic City Seagulls of the [[USBL]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 1997|title=R. Kelly Signs Pro Basketball Deal |publisher=[[MTV News]] |url=http://www.mtv.com/mtv/news/gallery/r/rkelly970425.html |access-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000519033632/http://www.mtv.com/mtv/news/gallery/r/rkelly970425.html |archive-date=May 19, 2000|url-status=dead }}</ref> He wore the number 12 in honor of his album ''12 Play''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b34429_kelly_play_pro_basketball.html|title=R. Kelly to Play Pro Basketball|publisher=E!|date=April 25, 1997|access-date=February 20, 2011}}</ref> Kelly said "I love basketball enough to not totally let go of my music, but just put it to the side for a minute and fulfill some dreams of mine that I've had for a long time."<ref name="shooting star">Demasio, Nunyo (May 30, 1997). [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/shooting-star-kelly-lights-usbl-seagulls-article-1.755519 "A Shooting Star: R. Kelly Lights Up USBL's Seagulls."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723081051/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/shooting-star-kelly-lights-usbl-seagulls-article-1.755519 |date=July 23, 2013 }} ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]''. Retrieved October 29, 2013.</ref> Kelly's USBL contract contained a clause that would allow him to fulfill a music obligation when necessary. "If Whitney Houston needs a song written", said Ken Gross, the Seagulls owner who signed Kelly, "he would be able to leave the team to do that and come back". "It wasn't a gimmick", Gross continued, "he's a ballplayer. He can play."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1998/nov/29/entertainment/ca-48624/3|location=Chicago|work=Los Angeles Times|title=The Righteous Brother: R. Kelly's ambitious album of genre- spanning songs finds him updating the spiritually grounded R&B of such greats as Al Green and Donny Hathaway.|date=November 29, 1998|first=Dave|last=Hoekstra|access-date=January 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221104743/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/nov/29/entertainment/ca-48624/3|archive-date=December 21, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the same year, Kelly collaborated with American rapper [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] for the song "Fuck You Tonight" on the posthumous album ''[[Life After Death]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Life After Death - The Notorious B.I.G. {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/life-after-death-mw0000176659/credits |access-date=2023-03-16 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1998, he launched his own label, [[Rockland Records]], in a distribution deal with [[Jimmy Iovine]]'s [[Interscope Records]]. The label's roster included artists [[Sparkle (singer)|Sparkle]], [[Boo & Gotti]], Talent, Vegas Cats, Lady, Frankie, Secret Weapon, and Rebecca F.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saidman|first=Sorelle |title=R. Kelly's Secret Weapon Set To Debut |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1430761/r-kellys-secret-weapon-set-to-debut/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020203084321/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1430761/20000329/kelly_r.jhtml |archive-date=February 3, 2002 |access-date=June 30, 2024|publisher=MTV News}}</ref><ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41 |title=Billboard |date=September 19, 1998 |access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> That May, Sparkle, Rockland's first signed artist, released her [[Sparkle (Sparkle album)|eponymous debut album]]. In addition to producing and writing the project, Kelly made vocal contribution to the hit duet "[[Be Careful (Sparkle song)|Be Careful]]", which became a serious factor as to why the album was certified platinum in December 2000.<ref name="riaa.com">{{cite web |title=RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - October 27, 2014 |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |access-date=October 27, 2014 |website=Riaa.com}}</ref>

On November 17, 1998, Kelly released his fourth studio and first double album, ''[[R. (album)|R.]]'' Musically, the album spans different genres from pop ([[Celine Dion]]), street rap ([[Nas]] and [[Jay-Z]]) to [[Blues]] ("Suicide"). Dave Hoekstra of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described the album as "easily the most ambitious project of his career".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-29-ca-48624-story.html|location=Chicago|work=Los Angeles Times|title=The Righteous Brother: R. Kelly's ambitious album of genre-spanning songs finds him updating the spiritually grounded R&B of such greats as Al Green and Donny Hathaway.|date=November 29, 1998|first=Dave|last=Hoekstra}}</ref> In the summer of 1999, he wrote and produced a majority of the [[Life (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the [[Martin Lawrence]] and [[Eddie Murphy]] film, ''[[Life (1999 film)|Life]]'', which features tracks from [[K-Ci & JoJo]], [[Maxwell (musician)|Maxwell]], [[Mýa]], and [[Destiny's Child]], among others. The soundtrack was also released on the Rockland imprint.<ref name="MTV.com">{{cite web |title=Feature: R. Kelly |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/k/rkellyfeature99.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229100318/http://mtv.com/news/gallery/k/rkellyfeature99.html |archive-date=February 29, 2000 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref>

In early 2000, Kelly received multiple awards reflecting his status as an established R&B superstar. In January 2000, he won Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist at the [[American Music Awards]] and, in February, was nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("When a Woman's Fed Up"), Best R&B Album (''R.''), and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("[[Satisfy You (Puff Daddy song)|Satisfy You]]") with [[P. Diddy]].<ref name="grammys-r-kelly2"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=exx2IVCnlsQC&q=r.+kelly+tp.2&pg=PA97|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212045012/https://books.google.com/books?id=exx2IVCnlsQC&pg=PA97&dq=r.+kelly+tp.2&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5kEgT_Juo6raBdbziK4P&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=r.%20kelly%20tp.2&f=false|url-status=dead|title=Your Body's Calling Me: Music, Love, Sex & Money : the Life & Times of "Robert" R. Kelly|first=Jake|last=Brown|date=August 13, 2004|archive-date=December 12, 2013|publisher=Amber Books Publishing|isbn = 9780972751957|via=Google Books}}</ref>

On November 7, 2000, he released his fifth studio album, ''[[TP-2.com]]'', a project aligned with his breakthrough album, ''12 Play''. Unlike ''[[R. (R. Kelly album)|R.]]'', all songs on ''TP-2.com'' were written, arranged, and produced by Kelly. [[AllMusic]]'s Jason Birchmeier gave ''TP-2.com'' 4 stars and stated: "Kelly knows how to take proven formulas and funnel them through his own stylistic aesthetic, which usually means slowing down the tempo, laying on lush choruses of strings and background vocals, taming down the lyrics for radio, and catering his pitch primarily to wistful women.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA386|title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul|isbn=9780879307448|access-date=September 10, 2012|last1=Bogdanov|first1=Vladimir|year=2003|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}</ref>

In 2001, Kelly won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Music of Black Origin or [[MOBO Awards]] and ''Billboard'' magazine ranked ''TP-2.com'' number 94 on the magazine's Top 200 Albums of the Decade.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/billboard-200-albums?year=2009&begin=81&order=position|title=Billboard - Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> Kelly's song, "[[The World's Greatest]]", from the soundtrack to the 2001 autobiographical film, [[Ali (film)|''Ali'']], was a hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/05/19/r-kelly-world-cup/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715235931/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/05/19/r-kelly-world-cup/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=R. Kelly Delivers His World Cup Anthem, Blows Minds|publisher=MTV|date=May 19, 2010|access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref>

===2002–2003: ''The Best of Both Worlds'' and ''Chocolate Factory''===
{{Main|The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Chocolate Factory}}
On January 24, 2002, at a press conference announcing the completion of Kelly and Jay-Z's first collaborative album, ''[[The Best of Both Worlds (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|The Best of Both Worlds]]'', celebrities such as [[Johnnie Cochran]], [[Russell Simmons]], [[Luther Vandross]], and [[Sean Combs]] praised the album, with Jay-Z stating that he hoped the collaboration represents "more unity for black people on a whole".<ref name="joint LP">{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451930/jay-z-r-kelly-hype-joint-lp-with-hash-browns-johnnie-cochran-and-a-pimp/|title=Jay-Z, R. Kelly Hype Joint LP With Hash Browns, Johnnie Cochran And A Pimp|publisher=MTV|date=January 24, 2002|access-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020210182536/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451930/20020124/story.jhtml|archive-date=February 10, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[MTV]]'s Shaheem Reid wrote: "And if Jay and Kelly can put their egos to the side long enough to wrap up and promote their album, then their labels—[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] and Jive, respectively—can surely figure out a way to join forces and make cheddar together."<ref name="joint LP"/>

On February 8, 2002, Kelly performed at the opening ceremony of the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], a week after a news scandal broke of a sex tape that appeared to show Kelly with an underage girl.<ref>{{Cite news|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|date=May 2002|title=Tale of the Tape|pages=86–88|work=Spin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M4CHp9FEZRgC&pg=PP1|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-08 |title=Chicago Police investigate R. Kelly in sex tape |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2002/2/8/18432320/chicago-police-investigate-r-kelly-in-sex-tape |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref>

Following a leak of the joint album on February 22, 2002, [[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]] and Jive moved the release date one week earlier in an effort to curtail [[Copyright infringement|piracy]].<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452773/jayz-shoots-song-cry.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Shoots New Video, Unsure If Clip With R. Kelly Will Come|publisher=MTV|date=March 6, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020409113726/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452773/20020306/story.jhtml|archive-date=April 9, 2002|access-date=September 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jay-Z expressed frustration about the album leak to MTV News, describing the event as both a "gift" and a "curse."<ref name="autogenerated2"/> Upon release on March 19, 2002, ''The Best of Both Worlds'' sold 285,000 copies in its opening week and debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=2017-03-28 |title=How Good Was Jay-Z & R. Kelly's 'Best Of Both Worlds' Album? |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/jayz-rkelly-best-of-both-worlds-album-anniversary-review-499480/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It was a critical and commercial disappointment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-feb-03-ca-popeye3-story.html |title='Best of Both Worlds' Is One Album Title That May Not Be Hyperbole |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=February 3, 2002 |access-date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref>

In May 2002, six months prior to the scheduled release of Kelly's sixth studio album, ''Loveland'', a bootleg copy containing 15 tracks had been leaked.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1454446/20020521/kelly_r.jhtml|title=R. Kelly Vows To Clamp Down As New Bootleg Hits Streets|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020601214814/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1454446/20020521/kelly_r.jhtml|archive-date=June 1, 2002|last=Reid |first=Shaheem|publisher=MTV News|date=May 21, 2002|url-status=dead|access-date=June 30, 2024}}</ref> In response, Kelly began work on the album now known as ''[[Chocolate Factory]]'', opting to release ''Loveland'' as a [[Special edition|deluxe edition]] bonus disc.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bogdanov |first=Vladimir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&dq=r+kelly+loveland+album+chocolate+factory&pg=PA386 |title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul |date=2003 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-0-87930-744-8 |pages=386 |language=en}}</ref> In October of that year, Kelly released "[[Ignition (Remix)]]", the lead single from the album. It would spend 42 weeks on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number two.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-hot-100/2003-03-29 |title=The Billboard Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 3, 2022 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-dec-04-et-quick4-story.html |title=R. Kelly's new album out next month |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 4, 2002 |access-date=January 3, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

On February 18, 2003, Kelly released ''Chocolate Factory'', which debuted as the number-one album on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/r-kelly-bounces-50-cent-180571/ |title=R. Kelly Bounces 50 Cent |magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Dansby |first=Andrew |date=February 26, 2003 |access-date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref> It sold 532,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rkjelly-timeline-redeye-story,1,1421606.story |title=R. Kelly timeline |work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 18, 2004 |access-date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref> The album was met with critical acclaim,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/music/r-kellys-chocolate-factory-is-ten-years-old-a-look-at-its-seminal-ignition-remix-2664223 |title=R. Kelly's Chocolate Factory is Ten Years Old: A Look At Its Seminal "Ignition (Remix)" |magazine=River Front Times |last=Miller |first=Liza |date=February 18, 2003 |access-date=February 16, 2024 }}</ref> and supported by two more singles. "[[Snake (R. Kelly song)|Snake]]", the album's second single, was followed by "[[Step in the Name of Love|Step in the Name of Love (Remix)]]", which charted for 70 weeks, reaching number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/r-kelly/chart-history/hsi/ |title=R. Kelly Chart history |magazine=Billboard |date=March 30, 2004 |access-date=February 14, 2024 }}</ref> Later that year, in September, Kelly's first [[greatest hits album]], ''[[The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1]]'', was released which included "[[Thoia Thoing]]" and two other previously unreleased songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-r-in-r-b-collection-vol-1-mw0000692032 |title=The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1 Review by Alex Henderson |last=Henderson |first=Alex |website=AllMusic |access-date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref>

===2004–2005: ''Unfinished Business, Happy People/U Saved Me'' and ''TP.3 Reloaded''===
{{Main|Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Happy People/U Saved Me|TP.3 Reloaded}}
Between mid-2003 and early 2004, Kelly began work on a double CD album, one with "happy" tracks and another with "inspirational" tracks. The double album, ''[[Happy People/U Saved Me]]'', was released on August 24, 2004. It debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, with first week sales of 264,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Whitmire|first=Margo|date=September 1, 2004|title=McGraw's 'Live' Powers To No. 1|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mcgraws-live-powers-to-no-1-66670/|access-date=July 1, 2024|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040902015654/http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000622343|archive-date=September 2, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both of the album's title tracks respectively performed underwhelmingly; "Happy People" charted at number twenty-nine on the Adult R&B Songs chart while "U Saved Me" peaked at number fifty-two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite web|title=22 Aug 2004, Page 66 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/192813897/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=R Kelly - Happy People|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/r_kelly/reviews/8457|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214056/http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/r_kelly/reviews/8457 |archive-date=2008-05-17 |access-date=2021-12-26|website=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]}}</ref>

Two months later, Kelly and Jay-Z reunited to release their second collaborative album, ''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]''. The album received criticism and, as with the pair's previous collaboration, it was also a commercial failure, despite debuting at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200. Album promotion and its ''Best of Both Worlds'' tour were both plagued by tension between the stars, with Kelly reportedly showing up late or not at all to gigs.<ref name="Stewart-2014">{{Cite web|last=Stewart|first=Allison|date=January 2, 2014|title=Jay Z and R. Kelly: Chronicles of a feud|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2014-01-02-chi-jay-z-r-kelly-united-center-show-20140102-story.html|access-date=July 1, 2024|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103015453/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-jay-z-r-kelly-united-center-show-20140102,0,589810.story|archive-date=January 3, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kelly complained that the touring lights were not directed towards him and allegedly assaulted the tour's lighting director.<ref name="Stewart-2014"/>

Jay-Z eventually removed Kelly halfway through the tour, after a member of Jay-Z's entourage [[pepper spray]]ed Kelly<ref>{{Cite web|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|date=June 4, 2019|title='Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly' reveals singer's abuse, ugly relationship with Jay-Z|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2019/06/04/soulless-case-against-r-kelly-everything-we-learned-jim-derogatis/1339943001/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}</ref> on October 29, 2004.<ref name="Harris-2006">{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=April 25, 2006|title=Jay-Z Associate Pleads Guilty In R. Kelly Pepper-Spray Case|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1529414/jay-z-associate-pleads-guilty-in-r-kelly-pepper-spray-case/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907151734/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1529414/20060425/jay_z.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2006|access-date=June 30, 2024|publisher=MTV News|language=en}}</ref> Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith was charged with assault, but took a plea deal for disorderly conduct.<ref name="Harris-2006"/> Kelly bounced back commercially after appearing on [[Ja Rule]]'s single, "[[Wonderful (Ja Rule song)|Wonderful]]" alongside [[Ashanti (singer)|Ashanti]]. In November 2004, "Wonderful" charted at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/ja-rule-wonderful/|title=Wonderful by Ja Rule ft R Kelly & Ashanti|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=June 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ja-rule/chart-history/hsi/|title=Chart History: Ja Rule|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> The single was certified gold by the RIAA in May 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=ja+rule&ti=wonderful&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Ja Rule, Wonderful|publisher=RIAA|access-date=June 30, 2024}}</ref>

After finishing ''Happy People/U Saved Me'' and ''Unfinished Business'' in 2004,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=2004-09-02|title=Happy People/U Saved Me|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/happy-people-u-saved-me-194822/|access-date=2021-10-03|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref> Kelly released ''[[TP.3 Reloaded]]'' in July 2005.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|date=2005-07-18|title=Tp.3 Reloaded|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/tp-3-reloaded-190877/|access-date=2021-10-03|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref> It became Kelly's fifth consecutive number-one album in his career. ''TP.3 Reloaded'' was heavily cross-promoted alongside the first five chapters of Kelly's musical serial, the "hip hopera" ''[[Trapped in the Closet]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-07-26 |title=R. Kelly: TP.3 Reloaded, PopMatters |url=https://www.popmatters.com/kellyr-tp3reloaded-2495956544.html |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2006–2009: ''Double Up'' and ''Untitled'', Africa ===
{{Main|Double Up (R. Kelly album)|Untitled (R. Kelly album)}}
In December 2006, Kelly built momentum for his eighth solo studio album, ''[[Double Up (R. Kelly album)|Double Up]]'', after guest-appearing on [[Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow]]'s "[[I'm a Flirt]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=George|first=Raphael|title=Who's That 'Flirt?': Bow Wow, And R. Kelly, Too|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/whos-that-flirt-bow-wow-and-r-kelly-too-1054522/|access-date=July 1, 2024|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226203801/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003549819|archive-date=February 26, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Three months later, Kelly's remix of "I'm a Flirt" was released, but instead of Bow Wow, it featured [[T.I.]] and [[T-Pain]]. On May 29, 2007, the album was released. It became Kelly's sixth and final album in his career to chart at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=June 6, 2007|title=R. Kelly Flirts His Way To No. 1 Album Chart Debut|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/r-kelly-flirts-his-way-to-no-1-album-chart-debut-1051710/|access-date=July 1, 2024|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609134300/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003594589|archive-date=June 9, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Kelly's other singles from ''Double Up'' titled "[[Same Girl (R. Kelly and Usher song)|Same Girl]]" was a duet of Kelly and [[Usher (musician)|Usher]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Now Is Not a Good Time for R. Kelly and Usher to Have a Song Called 'Same Girl' |url=https://www.bet.com/article/rcmcsm/r-kelly-and-usher-fall-victim-to-same-girl-memes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723161435/http://www.bet.com:80/music/2017/07/20/r-kelly-usher-same-girl.html |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |access-date=July 1, 2024 |publisher=BET |language=en}}</ref> while "Rise Up" was a tribute to the victims of the [[Virginia Tech shooting]] that occurred earlier that year in April, a month before the album was released.<ref>{{Cite web|title=R. Kelly Writes Song For Virginia Tech|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/r-kelly-writes-song-for-virginia-tech/|access-date=July 1, 2024|publisher=Associated Press|via=CBS News|date=May 1, 2007 |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503083940/http://www.cbsnews.com:80/stories/2007/05/01/ap/entertainment/main2747043.shtml|archive-date=May 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was previously released as a digital download on May 15, 2007. Proceeds were donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to help family members of the victims of the shootings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lamb|first=Bill|url=http://top40.about.com/b/a/209075.htm|title=R. Kelly Records "Rise Up"&nbsp;–n Anthem for Healing in Aftermath of Virginia Tech Shootings|publisher=About.com|date=May 4, 2007|access-date=May 9, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110725045657/http://top40.about.com/b/a/209075.htm|archive-date=July 25, 2011}}</ref>

Kelly began his ''Double Up'' tour with [[Ne-Yo]], [[Keyshia Cole]] and [[J. Holiday]] opening for him. One week into the tour, promoter Leonard Rowe had Ne-Yo removed from the tour because of a contract dispute. However, Ne-Yo alleges that the reason for the dropout was because Ne-Yo believes he received a better response from critics and fans.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Concepcion |first=Mariel |date=November 20, 2007 |title=Ne-Yo Dropped From R. Kelly Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ne-yo-dropped-from-r-kelly-tour-1047256/ |access-date=July 1, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121165857/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003676181|archive-date=November 21, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ne-Yo won a lawsuit that he filed against Rowe Entertainment in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=September 8, 2008 |title=Ne-Yo Wins $700,000 In Lawsuit Against R. Kelly Tour Promoter |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593971/20080903/ne_yo.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229123911/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593971/20080903/ne_yo.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 29, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2024|publisher=MTV News |language=en}}</ref> Kelly was not mentioned in the lawsuit. In December 2007, Kelly failed to appear at another preliminary court hearing on his case due to his tour bus being held up in Utah.<ref>{{cite web|last=Orzeck|first=Kurt|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1576840/r-kelly-arrest-warrant-issued-over-missed-court-date.jhtml|title=R. Kelly Arrest Warrant Issued Over Missed Court Date|publisher=MTV|date=December 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221053706/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1576840/20071219/kelly_r.jhtml|archive-date=December 21, 2007|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The judge threatened to revoke Kelly's bond, but eventually decided against it. In 2008, Kelly released a rap track titled "I'm a Beast" in which he coarsely attacked his detractors, yet did not name the subjects of the song.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582758/20080304/kelly_r.jhtml|title=R. Kelly's New Dis Track: Is He Lashing Out At Jay-Z, Ne-Yo Or Young Jeezy?|publisher=MTV|date=March 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305194138/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582758/20080304/kelly_r.jhtml|archive-date=March 5, 2008|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, before and after being acquitted on charges of producing child sexual abuse material, ''Billboard'' reported that Kelly had plans to release his newest album titled ''12 Play: Fourth Quarter'' in the summer of that year but the album was postponed. ''Billboard'' named Kelly among the most successful artists ever for its 50th Anniversary List.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-artists-80.shtml|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=May 25, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525113840/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-artists-80.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the spring, the promotional single "[[Hair Braider]]", peaked at No. 56 on ''Billboard''<nowiki/>'s R&B chart. On July 28, the entire album leaked online, causing the title to be scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/r-kelly/38519| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.nme.com/news/r-kelly/38519| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=Entire R Kelly album leaks online |work=NME|date=July 29, 2008|access-date=August 5, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In February 2009, Kelly announced that he was working on a new album called ''[[Untitled (R. Kelly album)|Untitled]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604777/20090210/kelly_r.jhtml|title=R. Kelly Reveals New Album Will Be Called Untitled|publisher=MTV|date=February 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717111825/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604777/20090210/kelly_r.jhtml|archive-date=July 17, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> with a projected release date of September 29, but it had been delayed to December.<ref>{{cite web|author=Singersroom.com|url=http://singersroom.com/news/3978/R-Kelly-Eying-Busy-September-For-Untitled-Album-| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://singersroom.com/news/3978/R-Kelly-Eying-Busy-September-For-Untitled-Album-| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R Kelly Eying Busy September For 'Untitled' Album ?|date=June 11, 2009|publisher=Singersroom.com|access-date=August 5, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In June 2009, he released his first [[mixtape]], ''[[The "Demo" Tape]],'' presented by [[DJ Skee]] and [[DJ Drama]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613052/20090601/kelly_r.jhtml|title=R. Kelly Remixes Lil Wayne, The-Dream, Drake For His First Mixtape|publisher=MTV News|date=June 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605141822/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613052/20090601/kelly_r.jhtml|archive-date=June 5, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kelly headlined the Arise African Fashion Awards in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa, on June 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/r-kelly-to-make-african-debut_1106618| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/r-kelly-to-make-african-debut_1106618| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly To Make African Debut&nbsp;– Contactmusic News|magazine=Contactmusic.com|access-date=August 5, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He performed in [[Cape Town]], followed by Nigeria as part of the annual ThisDay music and fashion festival in July. That same month, he released "[[Number One (R. Kelly song)|Number One]]", featuring singer-songwriter [[Keri Hilson]]. Then, on December 1, Kelly's untitled ninth solo album was released.<ref>{{Cite web|title=R. Kelly: Untitled|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13790-untitled/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}</ref> It charted on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number four.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=2009-12-09|title=Boyle's 'Dream' Continues At No. 1 On Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/boyles-dream-continues-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-266446/|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Susan Boyle's Dream Holds On To Billboard #1|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627906/20091209/boyle_susan.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213043506/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1627906/20091209/boyle_susan.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 13, 2009|access-date=June 30, 2024|date=December 9, 2009|publisher=MTV News|language=en}}</ref> More singles from the album include "[[Echo (R. Kelly song)|Echo]]", "[[Supaman High]]" and "Be My #2". In January 2010, Kelly performed in Kampala, Uganda. "I'm very excited about my first visit to Africa, I've dreamed about this for a long time and it's finally here", Kelly said in a statement. "It will be one of the highlights of not only my career but my life. I can't wait to perform in front of my fans in Africa—who have been some of the best in the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur53958.cfm|title=R. Kelly in the Motherland: Singer due in Johannesburg this week for Fashion Awards gig; will kick off international string of concert dates|publisher=EURweb.com|date=June 15, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721054202/http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur53958.cfm|archive-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref>

===2010–2012: ''Epic'', ''Love Letter'', throat surgery, and ''Write Me Back''===
{{Main|Epic (R. Kelly album)|Love Letter (R. Kelly album)|Write Me Back}}
Kelly performed at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony]] on June 11, 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=R. Kelly|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957819/r-kelly-kicks-off-world-cup-in-south-africa|title=R. Kelly Kicks Off World Cup In South Africa|magazine=Billboard|date=June 11, 2010|access-date=July 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616063010/http://www.billboard.com:80/news/r-kelly-kicks-off-world-cup-in-south-africa-1004097582.story|archive-date=June 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview in the September 2010 issue of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' magazine, Kelly said he was working on three new albums (''[[Epic (R. Kelly album)|Epic]]'', ''[[Love Letter (R. Kelly album)|Love Letter]]'', and ''Zodiac'') which he described as "remixing himself".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youheardthatnew.com/2010/08/r-kelly-on-being-happy-with-current-state-of-rb-in-some-ways-yes-and-in-some-ways-no/|title=R.Kelly On Being Happy With Current State Of R&B: "In Some Ways Yes And In Some Ways No"|work=youheardthatnew|access-date=January 14, 2012|date=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625134045/http://youheardthatnew.com/2010/08/r-kelly-on-being-happy-with-current-state-of-rb-in-some-ways-yes-and-in-some-ways-no/|archive-date=June 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Epic'', a compilation filled with powerful ballads including "[[The World's Greatest]]" and "[[Sign of a Victory]]", only saw a European release on September 21, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=R. Kelly: Epic|url=https://towerrecords.com/products/r-kelly-epic|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Tower Records|language=en}}</ref> However, it is also available for streaming worldwide.<ref>{{Citation|title=Epic|date=2010-09-10|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7FK4BmsUI4cmUCsOso0X87|language=en|access-date=2021-12-27}}</ref>

In November 2010, Kelly collaborated with several African musicians forming a supergroup known as One8. The group featured [[2face Idibia|2Face]] from Nigeria, [[Ali Kiba]] from Tanzania, [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] singer [[Fally Ipupa]], 4X4 from Ghana, hip-hop artist Movaizhaleine from Gabon, Zambia's [[Jordan Katembula|JK]], Ugandan hip-hop star Navio and Kenya's [[Amani (musician)|Amani]], the only female in the group. The first release from the group was "Hands Across the World" written and produced by Kelly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/hands-across-the-world-video-one8-r-kelly/17936/|title=Hands Across The World Video&nbsp;— ONE8 w R. Kelly|publisher=Rnbmusicblog.com|date=November 19, 2010|access-date=February 20, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126200051/http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/hands-across-the-world-video-one8-r-kelly/17936/|archive-date=November 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i02240e53d2361c7112b6f6d8d0923e65|title=R. Kelly Backs African Supergroup|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 20, 2011|archive-date=November 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123192609/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i02240e53d2361c7112b6f6d8d0923e65|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kelly's tenth album ''[[Love Letter (R. Kelly album)|Love Letter]]'', released on December 14, 2010, included 15 songs, one of which was Kelly singing "[[You Are Not Alone]]", a track Kelly originally wrote for [[Michael Jackson]]. The first single "[[When a Woman Loves (song)|When a Woman Loves]]" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance at the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref name="grammys-r-kelly2"/>

[[File:R. Kelly Performing 2011.png|thumb|left|R. Kelly in 2011]]

At the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards|2011 Pre-Grammy Gala]] in Los Angeles, Kelly performed a medley of hits, and, in March 2011, Kelly was named the No. 1 R&B artist of the last 25 years by ''Billboard''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2011-02-13-pregrammyparty_N.htm|title=Celebs turn out for Pre-Grammy Gala|work=USA Today|date=February 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216063346/https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2011-02-13-pregrammyparty_N.htm|archive-date=February 16, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Singers Room">{{cite web|author=Date: November 18, 2010 9:19:22 PM|url=http://www.singersroom.com/news/6496/Billboard-Names-R-Kelly-The-1-RB-Artist-Of-Past-25-Years|title=Billboard Names R. Kelly The #1 R&B Artist Of Past 25 Years|work=Singers Room|date=November 18, 2010|accessdate=July 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121015511/http://www.singersroom.com/news/6496/Billboard-Names-R-Kelly-The-1-RB-Artist-Of-Past-25-Years|archive-date=November 21, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On July 19, 2011, Kelly was admitted to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago to undergo emergency throat surgery to drain an abscess on one of his tonsils, and was released on July 21, 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/469146/r-kelly-released-from-hospital-after-throat-surgery| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801065936/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/469146/r-kelly-released-from-hospital-after-throat-surgery| archive-date=August 1, 2013|title=R. Kelly Released From Hospital After Throat Surgery|publisher=Associated Press|via=Billboard|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=July 1, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> He canceled his performance at the Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica that was scheduled for the following Friday. Johnny Gourzong, Sumfest Productions executive director, commented, "We are truly going to miss his presence on the festival."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110721/ent/ent1.html| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110721/ent/ent1.html| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly grounded – Artiste's no-show sends Sumfest organisers on global search for replacement|publisher=Jamaica-gleaner.com|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=September 10, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,9041886,00.html| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,9041886,00.html| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly Undergoes Emergency Throat Surgery| work=ARTISTdirect|publisher=Artistdirect.com|access-date=September 10, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On September 23, 2011, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' confirmed that Kelly had signed on to write original music for the ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]]'' soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/cee-lo-green-joins-sparkle-cast-1118043361/|title=Cee-Lo Green joins 'Sparkle' cast|work=Variety|date=September 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926165411/https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118043361|archive-date=September 26, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, Kelly worked with writer [[David Ritz]] on an autobiography entitled ''[[Soulacoaster|Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me]]'', which was later released in the summer of 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dodero|first=Camille|title=R. Kelly's Memoir Soula Coaster Is Not Coming Out Next Week. And Maybe Not At All? (Updated)|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/11/r_kellys_book_memoir_soulacoaster.php|work=Sound of the City|publisher=The Village Voice|date=November 9, 2011|access-date=June 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111221138/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/11/r_kellys_book_memoir_soulacoaster.php|archive-date=November 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On October 7, 2011, after [[Sony]]'s [[RCA Music Group]] announced the consolidation of [[Jive Records|Jive]], [[Arista Records|Arista]] and [[J Records]] into [[RCA Records]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nation|first=Urban Radio|title=RCA shuts down the famous Jive, J Records and Arista Imprints|url=http://www.urbanradionation.com/2011/10/rca-shuts-down-famous-jive-j-records.html|access-date=2021-12-27|newspaper=Urban Radio Nation &#124; R&B, Hip Hop, Black Radio, Media, Sports, Podcasts Information Format News|archive-date=December 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227060124/http://www.urbanradionation.com/2011/10/rca-shuts-down-famous-jive-j-records.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Halperin|first=Shirley|date=2011-10-07|title=RCA Execs Confirm Jive and Arista Labels Shut Down|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/rca-execs-confirm-jive-arista-245392/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref> Kelly was set to release music under the RCA brand.<ref>Christman, Ed. (August 23, 2011) [http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs (Update)]</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707|title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!|magazine=FMQB|access-date=September 10, 2012|archive-date=November 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108044953/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following his throat surgery, Kelly released "[[Shut Up (R. Kelly song)|Shut Up]]" to generally favorable reviews: ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine said, "Kelly taking aim at the haters who said "he's washed up, he's lost it." He hasn't. Dude's voice is in prime smooth R&B form".<ref>[https://www.spin.com/2011/11/r-kelly-croons-about-tonsil-surgery-new-track/ R. Kelly Croons About Tonsil Surgery in New Track] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405215827/https://www.spin.com/2011/11/r-kelly-croons-about-tonsil-surgery-new-track/ |date=April 5, 2018 }}. ''Spin''</ref> On December 21, 2011, Kelly made a live appearance on ''[[The X Factor (U.S.)|The X Factor]]'' and gave his first performance after the surgery. Kelly revealed to ''Rolling Stone'' that he felt like he was "just starting out" and how the performance was a "wake up call" for him.<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-there-is-no-end-to-trapped-in-the-closet-20111222 R. Kelly: 'There Is No End' to 'Trapped in the Closet'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620005014/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-there-is-no-end-to-trapped-in-the-closet-20111222 |date=June 20, 2017 }}. ''Rolling Stone (magazine)''</ref>

In 2012, Kelly made a series of announcements including a follow-up to the ''Love Letter'' album titled ''[[Write Me Back]]'', which was released on June 26 to little fanfare,<ref>{{Citation|title=Write Me Back by R. Kelly|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/write-me-back/r-kelly|language=en|access-date=2021-12-27}}</ref> as well as a third installment of ''[[Trapped in the Closet]]''<ref>{{Citation|last1=Kelly|first1=R.|title=Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 23-33|date=2012-11-22|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2526856/|type=Comedy, Crime, Drama|publisher=Fuzzy Bunny Films (I), RCA Records, Sylvester Films|access-date=2021-12-27|last2=Swaffield|first2=Jim}}</ref> and The Single Ladies Tour featuring R&B singer, [[Tamia]].<ref>{{cite web|date=August 31, 2012|title=To All Of The Single Ladies!|url=http://www.r-kelly.com/news/all-single-ladies| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.r-kelly.com/news/all-single-ladies| archive-date=2021-09-28|access-date=December 11, 2015|publisher=R-Kelly}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>[http://rkellynews.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-r-kelly-interview-with-jojo-of.html New R. Kelly interview with JoJo of V101.5 ]. R. Kelly News {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/03/trapped-in-the-closet-announcement|title=Coming Soon to IFC: R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet: The Next Installment"|publisher=IFC|access-date=December 11, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016092152/http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/03/trapped-in-the-closet-announcement|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2012, Kelly performed "[[I Look to You (song)|I Look to You]]", a song he wrote for [[Whitney Houston]], at Houston's [[homegoing]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kleinman|first=Jacob|title=Whitney Houston Funeral: R. Kelly Sings Soulful Rendition of 'I Look To You'|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/300964/20120218/whitney-houston-funeral-death-rkelly-songs-look.htm| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/300964/20120218/whitney-houston-funeral-death-rkelly-songs-look.htm| archive-date=2021-09-28|access-date=February 19, 2012|work=International Business Times|date=February 18, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===2013–2017: ''Black Panties'', ''The Buffet'', and ''12 Nights of Christmas''===
{{Main|Black Panties|The Buffet (R. Kelly album)|12 Nights of Christmas}}
During 2013, Kelly continued his "The Single Ladies Tour". He performed at music festivals across North America, including [[Bonnaroo Music Festival|Bonnaroo]], [[Pitchfork Music Festival|Pitchfork]], and Macy's Music Festival. On June 30, 2013, R. Kelly performed live at the [[BET Awards 2013|BET Awards Show]] singing hits as well as his new track "[[My Story (R. Kelly song)|My Story]]" featuring Atlanta rapper [[2 Chainz]]. The song was the lead single for Kelly's twelfth studio album ''[[Black Panties]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/r-kelly-announces-new-single-with-2-chainz-reveals-artwork-news.6585.html| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/r-kelly-announces-new-single-with-2-chainz-reveals-artwork-news.6585.html| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly Announces New Single With 2 Chainz, Reveals Artwork| date=July 26, 2013|publisher=Hotnewhiphop.com|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> released on December 10, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/lots-black-panties-r-kellys-black-panties-cover| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/lots-black-panties-r-kellys-black-panties-cover| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=Lots of Black Panties On R. Kelly's 'Black Panties' Cover + Tracklist|work=Vibe|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Writing for [[New York (magazine)|''New York'' magazine]], [[David Marchese]] stated that ''Black Panties'' "was like a dare to the world: After all that he'd been accused of, after avoiding conviction, could R. Kelly still get away with making sex-obsessed music?"<ref name="Marchese 2016"/>

In 2013, Kelly collaborated with several artists including [[Celine Dion]], [[Mariah Carey]],<ref name="Digital Spy"/> [[Mary J. Blige]],<ref>{{cite web|date=October 24, 2013|title=Exclusive: Mary J.Blige Set To Duet With R.Kelly On Next Album|url=http://ratedrnb.com/2013/10/24/exclusive-mary-j-blige-set-duet-r-kelly-next-album/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://ratedrnb.com/2013/10/24/exclusive-mary-j-blige-set-duet-r-kelly-next-album/| archive-date=2021-09-28|access-date=January 23, 2014|publisher=Ratedrnb.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Jennifer Hudson]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Brittany|date=November 15, 2013|title=The Night I Received Black Panties From R. Kelly by Brittany Lewis|url=http://globalgrind.com/2013/11/15/the-night-i-received-black-panties-from-r-kelly-brittany-lewis/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219164917/http://globalgrind.com/2013/11/15/the-night-i-received-black-panties-from-r-kelly-brittany-lewis/|archive-date=December 19, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2014|publisher=Global Grind}}</ref> In an interview with ''Global Grind'' in November, he described follow up work with Celine Dion after their number-one single "[[I'm Your Angel]]" from 1998.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Brittany|url=http://globalgrind.com/2013/11/15/r-kelly-interview-video-ignition-remix-national-anthem-petition-childhood-new-collaboration-with-celine-dion/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://globalgrind.com/2013/11/15/r-kelly-interview-video-ignition-remix-national-anthem-petition-childhood-new-collaboration-with-celine-dion/| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly Discusses The "Ignition (Remix)" National Anthem Petition, His Childhood, & New Collaboration With Celine Dion (Video)|publisher=Global Grind|date=November 15, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Kelly worked with singer Mariah Carey for her album ''[[Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse]]''.<ref name="Digital Spy">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a409177/mariah-carey-records-duet-with-r-kelly.html| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a409177/mariah-carey-records-duet-with-r-kelly.html| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=Mariah Carey records duet with R Kelly - Music News|work=Digital Spy|date=September 30, 2012|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Kelly co-wrote and sang on [[Lady Gaga]]'s song "[[Do What U Want]]" from her 2013 album ''[[Artpop]]'', performing the duet with her on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on November 16, 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lady Gaga and R. Kelly Perform 'Do What U Want' on 'SNL'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/11/16/video-lady-gaga-and-r-kelly-perform-do-what-u-want-on-snl/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/11/16/video-lady-gaga-and-r-kelly-perform-do-what-u-want-on-snl/| archive-date=2021-09-28|work=[[Rap-Up]]|publisher=Rap-Up, LLC|access-date=November 18, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and at the 2013 [[American Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=Lady Gaga, R. Kelly To Perform 'Do What U Want' At American Music Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5785874/lady-gaga-r-kelly-to-perform-do-what-u-want-at-american-music| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5785874/lady-gaga-r-kelly-to-perform-do-what-u-want-at-american-music| archive-date=2021-09-28|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 18, 2013|date=November 12, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Marchese 2016"/> "Do What U Want" was later removed from streaming services and re-releases of Gaga's ''Artpop'' album following sexual misconduct allegations against Kelly in early 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-15|title=Lady Gaga removes R. Kelly collaboration "Do What U Want" from ARTPOP reissue|url=https://consequence.net/2019/10/lady-gaga-removes-rkelly-do-what-u-want-artpop/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Consequence|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Trepany|first=Charles|title=Lady Gaga removes R. Kelly song from 'Artpop,' will reportedly release new vinyl copies|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/17/lady-gaga-removes-r-kelly-song-artpop-new-vinyl/4011567002/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=2019-01-11|title=Lady Gaga's 'Do What U Want' Featuring R. Kelly Removed from Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/lady-gaga-do-what-u-want-r-kelly-removed/|access-date=2021-12-27|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref> He also collaborated with [[Birdman (entertainer)|Birdman]] and [[Lil Wayne]] on "We Been On", a single from the [[Cash Money Records]] compilation, ''[[Rich Gang (album)|Rich Gang]]''. He also appeared on [[Twista]]'s first single on his ninth album, ''[[Dark Horse (Twista album)|Dark Horse]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/we-been-on-video-rich-gang-lil-wayne-r-kelly_n_3865247.html| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/we-been-on-video-rich-gang-lil-wayne-r-kelly_n_3865247.html| archive-date=2021-09-28|title='We Been On' Video Has Rich Gang Getting Down With Lil Wayne And R. Kelly|work=HuffPost|access-date=December 10, 2013|first=Madeline|last=Boardman|date=September 4, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/23/new-music-twista-f-r-kelly-throwin-my-money/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/23/new-music-twista-f-r-kelly-throwin-my-money/| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=New Music: Twista f/ R. Kelly – 'Throwin My Money'|publisher=Rap-Up.com|date=April 23, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On November 17, 2013, Kelly and [[Justin Bieber]] debuted a collaboration titled "[[PYD (song)|PYD]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/justin-bieber-reveals-cover-art-r-kelly-collaboration-pyd| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.vibe.com/article/justin-bieber-reveals-cover-art-r-kelly-collaboration-pyd| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=Justin Bieber Reveals Cover Art For R. Kelly Collaboration, 'PYD'|work=Vibe|date=November 16, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/12/09/rap-up-tv-r-kelly-talks-justin-bieber-lady-gaga-bruno-mars/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://www.rap-up.com/2013/12/09/rap-up-tv-r-kelly-talks-justin-bieber-lady-gaga-bruno-mars/| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=RapUp TV: R. Kelly Talks Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, & Bruno Mars|publisher=Rap-Up.com|access-date=January 23, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Kelly was featured on the soundtrack album of the film ''[[The Best Man Holiday]]'' with his song "[[Happy People (R. Kelly song)|Christmas, I'll Be Steppin']]".<ref>{{cite web|title='The Best Man Holiday' Soundtrack Details|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/10/04/the-best-man-holiday-soundtrack-details/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/10/04/the-best-man-holiday-soundtrack-details/| archive-date=2021-09-28|work=Film Music Reporter|access-date=November 18, 2013|date=October 4, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Kelly stated his intention to tour with R&B singer Mary J. Blige on "The King & Queen Tour" prior to the [[Black Panties|Black Panties Tour]] while continuing to create segments of the [[hip hopera]] ''[[Trapped in the Closet]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Kory Grow|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-continues-the-trapped-in-the-closet-saga-20131204| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-continues-the-trapped-in-the-closet-saga-20131204| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly Continues 'Trapped in the Closet' With New Chapters {{pipe}} Music News|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In July 2014, Kelly announced that he was working on a [[house music]] album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-to-release-house-music-album-20140715| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-kelly-to-release-house-music-album-20140715| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=R. Kelly to Release House Music Album|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In November 2015, Kelly released "[[Switch Up (R. Kelly song)|Switch Up]]" featuring fellow Chicagoan [[Jeremih]] and [[Lil Wayne]], followed by "[[Wake Up Everybody (R. Kelly song)|Wake Up Everybody]]", "[[Marching Band (R. Kelly song)|Marching Band]]" and "[[Backyard Party]]". The following month, the album containing those singles, ''[[The Buffet]]'', was released. It charted poorly on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number sixteen with first-week sales of 39,000 album-equivalent copies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-12-21|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: August Alsina, R. Kelly & Rick Ross|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.36727/title.hip-hop-album-sales-august-alsina-r-kelly-rick-ross|access-date=2021-12-27|website=HipHopDX}}</ref> During November 2015, R. Kelly released a song with [[Ty Dolla Sign]] called "Actress" off the album ''[[Free TC]]''. The following year, after a two-and-a-half-year delay, Kelly presented his only Christmas album, also his fourteenth and final studio album in his career thus far, ''[[12 Nights of Christmas]]'', which was released on October 21, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/10/r-kellys-album-12-nights-of-christmas/| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/10/r-kellys-album-12-nights-of-christmas/| archive-date=2021-09-28|title=Listen to R. Kelly's New Album '12 Nights of Christmas' |last=Ivey|first=Justin|date=October 21, 2016|website=XXL Mag|language=en|access-date=June 11, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== 2017–2022: Guest appearances, "I Admit" ===
{{Main|I Admit}}
[[File:R. Kelly in 2017 03.png|thumb|R. Kelly performing in 2017]]
On March 17, 2017, [[Pitbull (rapper)|Pitbull]] released the song "Dedicated" off his album ''[[Climate Change (album)|Climate Change]]'' featuring guest appearances from Kelly and [[Austin Mahone]].

Kelly released the 19-minute-long "[[I Admit]]" on [[SoundCloud]] on July 23, 2018, as a response to his accusers.<ref name="Pitchfork I Admit">{{cite web |last1=Sodomsky |first1=Sam |last2=Strauss |first2=Matthew |date=July 23, 2018 |title=R. Kelly Addresses Sex Cult Allegations, Spotify Policy in 19-Minute New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/r-kelly-addresses-sex-cult-allegations-spotify-policy-in-19-minute-new-song/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://pitchfork.com/news/r-kelly-addresses-sex-cult-allegations-spotify-policy-in-19-minute-new-song/ |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |work=Pitchfork}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="BBC I Admit">{{cite web |date=July 23, 2018 |title=R Kelly: 'I Admit' released against sex allegations |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44929744 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44929744 |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |publisher=BBC}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song does not contain any [[Admission (law)|criminal admissions]] despite its title and [[Refrain|chorus]], which [[Repetition (music)|repeats]] the lyric "I admit it, I did it".<ref>{{cite news |last=Gajanan |first=Mahita |date=July 23, 2018 |title=A Defense Attorney Listened to R. Kelly's 19-Minute Song 'I Admit.' This Is What She Thinks |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/5346369/r-kelly-i-admit-defense-attorney/ |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://time.com/5346369/r-kelly-i-admit-defense-attorney/ |archive-date=2021-09-28}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Broadly I Admit">{{cite web |last1=Ettachfini |first1=Leila |last2=Burke |first2=Sarah |date=July 24, 2018 |title=R. Kelly's Victimhood Doesn't Excuse His Alleged Sexual Misconduct |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/r-kelly-i-admit-sexual-assault-abuse-victim/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/qvmvg7/r-kelly-i-admit-sexual-assault-abuse-victim |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=Broadly}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In "I Admit", Kelly denies allegations of [[domestic violence]] and [[pedophilia]], asserting that they are matters of opinion.<ref name="Broadly I Admit" /> Kelly also denounces [[Jim DeRogatis]] and repudiates his investigative report's claim of Kelly operating a "[[sex cult]]".<ref name="Pitchfork I Admit" /> Addressing the [[Mute R. Kelly]] [[social media]] campaign, Kelly sings, "only God can mute me".<ref>{{cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=July 23, 2018 |title=R Kelly denies sexual abuse allegations in 19-minute song I Admit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/23/r-kelly-denies-sexual-abuse-allegations-in-19-minute-song-i-admit |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/23/r-kelly-denies-sexual-abuse-allegations-in-19-minute-song-i-admit |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=The Guardian}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last=Ellefson |first=Lindsey |date=July 23, 2018 |title=R. Kelly answers his critics with a 19-minute song, 'I Admit' |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/23/entertainment/r-kelly-i-admit-song-trnd/index.html |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/23/entertainment/r-kelly-i-admit-song-trnd/index.html |archive-date=2021-09-28}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The song was criticized by reviewers, who described it as an act of [[trolling]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin C. |date=August 12, 2018 |title=Muting R. Kelly: Our music critic is finished with the Pied Piper of R&B |url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/muting-r-kelly-our-music-critic-is-finished-with-the/article_f0a8f675-17dc-5dc1-b2f5-ebe10e3bd51c.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/muting-r-kelly-our-music-critic-is-finished-with-the/article_f0a8f675-17dc-5dc1-b2f5-ebe10e3bd51c.html |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Stereo |date=July 23, 2018 |title=R. Kelly's Delusional Response to Sex Cult Allegations in 'I Admit': I'm the Victim Here |website=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/r-kellys-delusional-response-to-sex-cult-allegations-in-i-admit-im-the-victim-here |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://www.thedailybeast.com/r-kellys-delusional-response-to-sex-cult-allegations-in-i-admit-im-the-victim-here |archive-date=2021-09-28}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Many outlets compared the song to that of his "[[Heaven I Need a Hug]]" extended version, ''[[Trapped in the Closet]]'' opera, "[[I Believe I Can Fly]]" concert remix, and [[O. J. Simpson]]'s autobiographical novel ''[[If I Did It]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-23 |title=In R. Kelly's New Song, He Admits to Nothing |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/r-kelly-i-admit-abuse-allegations-new-song |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockett |first=Dee |date=2018-07-23 |title=The 8 Worst Lines on R. Kelly's 19-Minute New Song 'I Admit' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/07/r-kellys-19-minute-new-song-the-worst-things-on-i-admit.html |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> Andrea Kelly and Carey Killa Kelly (R. Kelly's ex-wife and brother, respectively) responded to "I Admit" with songs that contain additional allegations against R. Kelly.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Katie |date=July 25, 2018 |title=R. Kelly's ex-wife responds to song 'I Admit' with her own remix |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4352181/r-kelly-ex-wife-i-admit-remix/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/https://globalnews.ca/news/4352181/r-kelly-ex-wife-i-admit-remix/ |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=Globalnews.ca}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="The Source">{{cite web |last1=Grant |first1=Shawn |date=August 8, 2018 |title=R. Kelly's Brother Blasts Singer in New 'I Confess' Single |url=http://thesource.com/2018/08/08/r-kelly-brother-i-confess/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20210928/http://thesource.com/2018/08/08/r-kelly-brother-i-confess/ |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

An album credited to Kelly titled ''I Admit It'' after and including the 19-minute song from 2018 was released on streaming services on December 9, 2022, but was taken down after it was not approved by Sony or R. Kelly's team. The album was credited to Sony's [[Legacy Recordings]] but actually uploaded by [[Real Talk Entertainment]], who had released the album through a sub-label also named Legacy Recordings. This resulted in the credited distributor, [[Universal Music Group]]–owned [[Ingrooves]], cutting ties with Real Talk Entertainment.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Here's How a New R. Kelly Album Got Uploaded to Streaming Services |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/r-kelly-new-album-streaming-how-did-it-get-there/ |access-date=December 10, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>