R. Kelly, the disgraced musician who was found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, has fallen from prominence in recent years and now faces a decade in jail.
After years of delays and other complications, the 54-year-New old’s York trial ended in September, but he still faces federal child pornography and obstruction charges in Chicago.
During a hearing in April 2020, he informed the judge that he owed the IRS $1.9 million and requested bail so that he could handle his financial concerns. His legal team then requested free transcripts of jury selection sessions since Kelly could not afford them in August.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
On January 8th, 1967, he was born in Chicago’s south side, Robert Sylvester Kelly. He didn’t finish high school because he wanted to be a musician on the train. While competing on Big Break’s television talent contest, he won $100,000. By the time Public Announcement published “Born into the 90s” in 1993, Kelly had signed to Jive Records.
Success
’12 Play,’ R. Kelly’s debut album, was released in November 1993. “Bump n’ Grind” was significantly responsible for the album’s six-time platinum certification.
Meanwhile, Kelly started working as a song producer for other musicians. For example, Aaliyah’s debut album was produced and written entirely by him.
“R. Kelly,” his debut album, sold over 4 million copies in its first year of release in 1995. It didn’t take him long to reach the top of the charts with “I Believe I Can Fly,” winning three Grammys. As well as a multi-part hip-hop opera, Trapped in the Closet, which he broadcast to radio stations in short installments, Kelly published many multi-platinum albums in the 2000s. In the spring of 2010, the final section was made available to the general public.
R Kelly has released 14 studio albums, five compilation albums, and three collaborations. Kelley has garnered a plethora of accolades throughout the years, in addition to the Grammys, including several American Music Awards (AMAs), a BET Award, and numerous Billboard Awards. After releasing “Black Panties” and “The Buffet,” he published his most recent albums in 2013. In addition, 12 official world tours, spanning from 1994 to 2013, have also included him.
Personal Life and Controversies
Secretly married Aaliyah in 1994; marriage was canceled. Before divorcing in 2009, he married Andrea Lee, a professional dancer, and they had three children together.
R Kelly’s music career has been plagued by controversy. he was arrested and accused of having sex with a minor by a police officer. All 14 allegations against him were subsequently dropped.
How did R. Kelly lose his money?
Jive Records signed R&B singer Whitney Houston in 1991 after she won $100,000 on TV talent competition ‘Big Break.’ The first track, “Bump n’ Grind,” from 12 Play, his first solo album, was released in 1993 and went on to be certified six times platinum.
After producing 14 studio albums, five compilations, and three collaborations in the 1990 and 2000s, he proceeded to amass wealth, receiving several prizes and accolades. In addition, he’s been on 12 world tours and had a slew of money-making TV appearances.
After his divorce from Andrea Lee in 2009, he lost most of that cash, and his reputation in the music business began to wane as a result. In addition, according to reports, he owed $5 million in back taxes by 2012 and lost his Chicago house the following year after failing to make mortgage payments.
A 19-minute song published in 2018 revealed the fundamental nature of his financial woes, addressing the claims against him and his rising debt. He stated he was having trouble making ends meet and that he owed the IRS $20 million in back taxes.
Spotify and other streaming sites have dropped his songs from their public playlists after the charges, and subsequent convictions surfaced, decreasing his revenues. In addition, as a result of his fall from prominence, he could not pay off his rising debts, making it difficult for him to go on lucrative tours.
Financial and Legal Problems
Earlier this year, R. Kelly posted a 19-minute song on Spotify in which he addressed several of the accusations against him. During this song, Kelly stated that she needed to tour “simply to pay the rent.”
He has also said that he owed the IRS $20 million at one point and was compelled to borrow several million dollars from his record company to pay his obligations. As a result of his controversial statements, he cannot play in many countries outside of the United States, and demonstrations routinely disrupt his US tours.
Streaming sites such as Spotify and others have also ceased playing his music in their public playlists. As a result, songs by this artist will not appear in Discover Weekly or any other Spotify-curated playlists or radio channels. However, they can still be streamed directly from their accounts on the service if they like.
After receiving complaints that R. Kelly’s recording studio had undergone repeated modifications without the proper licenses, Chicago building inspectors were permitted to check the premises in January 2019.
The studio does not belong to R. Kelly; he has been renting it since 2017. At the inspection, the 8000-square-foot facility was on the market for $4 million. At the same time, R. Kelly was being sued by the building owner for unpaid rent. Kelly owes a $23,000 monthly rent, which the lawsuit claims he hasn’t paid in seven months. In addition, at the time of the filing, he owed the landlord $167,000 in back rent.
All future song releases by R. Kelly’s record company, RCA/Sony, have been placed on hold, preventing him from making any more money. Two more albums are still due from his most current record deal with RCA/Sony.
As a result, RCA/Sony refuses to fund new music videos. Since Kelly has not been convicted of any crime, the label is in a difficult situation. It would be difficult to terminate him and withhold compensation based on claims. RCA/Sony might use a “morals provision” in his contract to get out of the contract.
R. Kelly was taken into custody on a new set of charges at the end of February 2019. He was free on a $100,000 cash bond, although the judge had placed his bail at $1 million. The problem was that Kelly was so cash-strapped that he couldn’t come up with the money in time.
According to reports, the $100,000 came from a lady called Valencia Love, whose exact affiliation to R. Kelly is unknown. Andrea, Kelly’s ex-wife, filed a lawsuit for $160,000 in unpaid child support while he was in jail.
Career
After years of street performances in Chicago, Kelly finally had the chance to pursue a singing career in 1991.
Born into the 90s, he signed with Jive Records, and his debut album was published the following year. Honey Love and “Slow Dance (Hey Mr. Dj)” were two of the most popular songs on his debut album.
Bump N’ Grind was his first No.1 pop record in 1993. Even after his mother’s death, the epithet “Prince of Pillowtalk” stuck to him. The song “I Believe I Can Fly,” which he recorded in 1996 and released the next year, garnered him three Grammys the following year, cementing his status as the king of R&B.
Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Gladys Knight are just a few performers who have worked with Kelly.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that he was crowned the king of R&B. He collaborated with Celine Dion on the song “I’m Your Angel” on his album “R” in 1998, which sold more than 7 million copies.
One of Kelly’s best-known songs is “Satisfy You” (1999), a collaboration with Sean “Puffy” Combs, and another with Jay-Z, “Fiesta” (2000).
Following in the traditions of Teddy Pendergrass and Marvin Gaye, “Write Me Back” was published in 2012.
As a result, Kelly has been working on new music ever since. For most of the 1990s, he was the R&B king, and his music has sold millions of copies.
R Kelly has a net worth of $-2 million as of 2022.
Summary
R Kelly’s current net worth is a pittance compared to his previous net worth ($2 million).
There has been a lot of turbulence since his climb to popularity.