Artist R. Kelly

Website
R. Kelly

Like Michael Jackson, preeminent pop genius (no, really) R. Kelly has a bond with his rabid, massive fan base that’s so strong that seemingly nothing can sever it, not even allegations of sexual impropriety of the most scatological variety. But where Jackson retreated from the public eye, Kelly pops out albums and videos at a rapid pace. He’s unstoppable. He’s so popular, even, that he can put out a record of Sam Cooke-inspired slow burners like last year’s Love Letter and sell a ton of records; he also earned a good amount of wary critical praise and even a Grammy nod for the first single, “When A Woman Loves.” Kelly’s currently working on his memoirs, tentatively titled Soulacoaster, and due out this fall.

Updated 06/15/2011