Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for federal racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, has made a startling revelation: he's written 25 albums since his incarceration began in 2022.
A Glimpse into R. Kelly's Prison Life
In a rare seven-minute phone interview with the "Inmate Tea With A&P" podcast, Kelly broke his three-year silence to discuss his life behind bars and his continued passion for music. When asked if he had continued to use his talents while incarcerated, Kelly described singing as "a beautiful disease that's uncurable," revealing that he has composed "like 25 albums" during his time in prison.
During the interview, Kelly also showcased his vocal abilities by singing the opening lines of his 1998 hit "When a Woman's Fed Up," performing a cappella over the monitored phone line.
The Man Behind the Bars
Before his imprisonment, R. Kelly was known for his prolific music career, releasing 18 studio albums between 1992 and 2016, and creating the unconventional "Trapped in the Closet" musical soap opera series between 2005 and 2012. Despite his criminal convictions, it appears that Kelly's creative drive remains undiminished, as evidenced by his claim of having written 25 albums while incarcerated.
The Future of R. Kelly's Music
While Kelly's assertion of having written 25 albums in prison is remarkable, it remains uncertain how or if this new material will ever be released to the public. Given his current legal situation and the nature of his convictions, any potential release would likely face significant ethical and logistical challenges.
Nonetheless, Kelly's continued musical output behind bars offers a complex and controversial chapter in the story of an artist whose legacy has been irrevocably tarnished by his actions.