It's Time To Grow Up, R. Kelly

By Keith Boykin, in music
Friday, August 3 2007, 1:31PM

(WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT) I was riding in a livery cab on my way downtown last night while the driver was listening to the latest R. Kelly CD. I had seen a video recently of Kelly and Usher doing a song called "Same Girl," and so I asked the driver to turn it up so I could hear it when it came on. It was actually a cute little song.

But after the song ended, the next "song," called "Real Talk," was a shocking, expletive-filled, misogynistic tirade against women. With the liberal use of the F-word and the B-word, it's no wonder that some observers are angry at him. Next month Kelly goes on trial in Chicago for criminal charges of child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a 13-year-old girl. I'm not ready to convict Kelly before he has his day in court. (In America, criminal defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence.) But before he even gets to court, R. Kelly needs to think about some of the tasteless and offensive music he's putting out.

The End of the Road for R. Kelly?

It has been more than five years since R. Kelly was charged with child pornography, and during that time he's continued to record music, make videos, perform and receive awards. Now with his trial finally set to begin on September 17, you would think this guy would have the brains to clean up his image. But even staring at the prospect of 15 years in prison, he doesn't get it.

R. Kelly's new album "Double Up" is the fifth most popular R&B/hip-hop album on the Billboard charts, and the song "Same Girl" is ranked 26th on Billboard's "top 100 singles" chart. The CD was ranked 331 on the Amazon.com list today.

And Kelly hasn't had any trouble finding other popular artists to work with him. The "Double Up" CD features guest performances by Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Chamillionaire, T.I., Ludacris, Kid Rock, Keyshia Cole, Usher and several others.

But this is not the R. Kelly who was the smooth R&B crooner of the 1990s. There's a little bit of that on the CD, but this is hardcore music, which Kelly says in the song "The Champ" is written for the streets. Maybe so, but the streets won't necessarily keep him out of prison.

Real Talk

He's been called everything from the "pied piper of R&B" to a modern "musical genius" to a "child molester." His unique gift seems to be his ability to take everyday conversations and turn them into songs. Kelly's "Trapped In The Closet," for example, was a back-and-forth conversation between himself and several others in a complicated love triangle. Similarly, his "Contagious" duet with Ronald Isley as Mr. Biggs was simply a series of conversations set to music.

If Kelly is a musical genius, it's not because he's uplifted music; it's because he's downgraded it to the lowest common denominator. This is the guy who told us "You remind me of my jeep." And he's the guy who recorded not one, but two "down low" songs when that phrase was hot in the mid-1990s. He told us "I dont see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind" and he showed us how to "step in the name of love," even if we didn't live in Chicago. Love him or hate him (and there are many people on both sides of the fence), he's got a way with words.

Which is all the more reason why the words in the song "Real Talk" and a couple of other songs on his CD are so baffling. Yes the language is "real" and yes it's a reflection of what goes on in many real life relationships everyday, but is that the message that R. Kelly wants to send to America just as he goes to trial?

Here's what he says in the song to his girlfriend. "I've been with you five years and you listening to your motherfucking girlfriends. I dont know why you fuck with them jealous no man havin ass hoes anyway." I know that's "real," but is that any way to talk to a woman? For that matter, is that any way to talk to anyone?

Then the couple launches into a cuss out, but we only hear R. Kelly's side of the story. "Fuck me? Girl, fuck you! I dont give a fuck about what you're talking about," he says. "And the next time your ass get horny, go fuck one of your funky ass friends. Hell yeah, you probably doing that shit anyway." So is this how a guy is supposed to behave in a relationship with someone he supposedly loves?

When the woman (never heard in the song) apparently threatens to burn his clothes, R. Kelly replies: "Bitch I wish you would burn my motherfucking clothes...with your triflin ass, milton, you bogus girl, milton." Huh? This is how couples should resolve their disputes? Of course not, and R. Kelly knows that too. His job is not to lead couples counseling but to appeal to the basest instincts in our pre-existing culture. He knows that couples talk this way to each other all the time, and so he exploits the conversation and the sentiment for his music.

But after all that incendiary language, the new CD ends with an inspirational track called "Rise Up." It's like the "I Believe I Can Fly" of 2007. And from what I can tell, it's not a bad song. But will that be enough for R. Kelly to overcome a long history of offensive behavior and tastelessness? Listen to the words.

When the tears start to fall
Rise Up!
And you're feel you're giving it your all
Rise Up!
When your back is up against the wall
Rise Up!

That's a message R. Kelly should take to heart. Maybe now, facing the real possibility of spending more than a decade in jail, maybe now it's time to rise up.

Comments (28) reveal

Comments conceal

gs
August 3 2007, 2:26PM

R.Kelly is a 40-yr. man with a 12-yr. old boy's mind. He has no respect for women and for that matter himself to put lyrics out like that. How fitting that the determination of his future will rest upon whether he's guilty or not of child pornography/pedophilia. How sad.

Billy
August 3 2007, 3:26PM

I don't have a problem with artists exploring touchy issues and topics but as Keith said it's the "explotation" of the issues that bothers me. There needs to be a balanced conversation of the matter.R. is still one of my favorite singers but I don't listen to any of his new stuff.

Aaron
August 3 2007, 3:28PM

My brother R. Kelly seems, from given appearances, to be INSANE and although talented in the composition of songs, is no genius. Most of his lyrics are BASE in language set to inspiring or catchy beats as most hit music is this day. He has the power of a Pastor in that he understands the sad mind of SHEEP and exploits it to the fullest. Singing anger to his angry misogynist following and inspiration to the people who still love him for composing I believe I can fly. All and all he knows people will come if you give them what they want as he continues become wealthier and wealthier. Victims of child molestation and hurt women, keep your head up.

Kwasi
August 3 2007, 4:50PM

Like Aaron touched on, it's all about the money. R. Kelly is just putting out what will sell the most albums. He has the talent to release a soulful, nice album, but he chooses the misogynistic, profane, N-word hollering crap. Many entertainers are doing that these days, unfortunately. Selling out their souls (and community) for the buck. Personally, I didn't enjoy "Double Up". I was expecting something a lil more "mature", but oh well...

Trott Felipe
August 3 2007, 6:26PM

Who cares what Kelly Clarkson does? If she hooked up with some underage dude, then that dude is just a pimp. It ain't illegalz. The only thing illegal is that kid getting in trouble for being a total P.I.M.P. and hooking up with the former winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson.

Chester
August 3 2007, 6:37PM

One thing is for sure we will never know if a court of law will find him guilty or not, the States Attorney has dragged its feet so long on this case that if it should get to a jury, the girl will be getting social security.

And, why is it that black people are so quick to defend his ilk? Just like the NAACP jumping in to defend Vick on his charges, black folks will defend any hood rat that is straight who is "embattled," but, don't have the decency to stand up for hard working black gay and lesbians who follow the letter of the law daily, amazing.

It is obvious that he, Kelly, has a thing for girls, and I don't mean over 18, and from that song you mentioned, he has major issues with women as a whole. Just despicable, and I for one will say he is guilty and nasty if those allegations are true.

Pickles
August 3 2007, 8:33PM

I've been reading this website for about 9 months now. Is there anything else that Keith Boykin ever writes about other than negative subjects?

Just wondering - because I'm thinking about not reading this blog any longer. Too much of a downer, too much time wasted on depressing topics like this one, and a lot of negativity.

Keith - is there anything good in the world besides Chippendales at Las Vegas?

Ostend Street
August 3 2007, 8:54PM

Keith:

You're absolutely right! R. Kelly doesn't get it. If he has to spend time in prison, he will get it.

chicagoangel
August 3 2007, 9:42PM

Free speech will soon be gone in favor of the new PC America emerging everday.

If everyone made the same happy go lucky "PC" music everything would be boring!

brucito
August 3 2007, 10:03PM

Pickles whatever you do don't stop checking the site. It is important to see differing views on subjects from the readers so you can get a somewhat view of what the feelings in the black gay community might be. And trust me I do find it very troubling how the majority of them think based on what I read here but I do keep reading it. I hope you will also.

flintstone
August 3 2007, 10:12PM

I agree with chicagoangel, if you don't like the lyrics then don't buy the CD, but don't try to stop me from buying music that you deem offensive. Next thing you know, atheists will try to stop best buy & circuit city from selling gospel music. *sigh*

Troy
August 3 2007, 11:00PM

R. Kelly remains the poster child and constant reminder of what too many late night, alcohol, hoe slumming it will do to you, IF, you survive...I see him doing a one ole PSA commercial in his future: CONdoms R. Kelly style!

MelancholyGuy
August 3 2007, 11:19PM

But in the vid, R. Kelly ='d 9.5x7, right? Or at least that's what they said...

April
August 4 2007, 9:41AM

Pickles he just had a series on positive black men and he's doing a series on positive stories on presidential candidates. It's not all negative...

brucito
August 4 2007, 8:56PM

Pls tell me I am not the only one who saw this. Tonight on the Military Channel from 8pm to 9pm the finally had a segement that aired black soldiers in Iraq. I am can not believe that the military of all places would stoop that low as to have rap music in the backgound and soldiers using those hand movements and dancing to the damn song while marching. This is the biggest insult that can be handed to any black person dumb enough to sign up. They sure as hell don't have country or heavy metal music playing in the background when white soldiers are shown going through those neighborhoods over their. As a matter of fact you wouldn't think it was the same show when they switch back to them but then I think that is the general idea. The episodes are called My War Diaries. The section with the black soldiers is at the 35 or 40 minute mark of the show. The Military Channel is on most cables networks.

billie simone[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 4 2007, 10:01PM

well said...as always! i have absolutely ZERO respect for ANY human that would take advantage of another...especially a child. what the did to the victim, was not just APPALLING, but disgusting. as i've said before to those who continue to "support" a pedophile, "WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR DAUGHTER...SISTER...COUSIN...NEICE...GOD-DAUGHTER...etc. etc."

"PICKLES"...its obvious you're not a "regular" ;)

billie

Regan DuCasse
August 5 2007, 12:50PM

Chicagoangel....there were plenty of other angry black man (with more to be angry about) who left venerated legacies, than those who are cranking out what passes for telling it like it is nowadays.

Paul L. Dunbar and Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou are able to put forth elegant and powerful poetic flow without it all being profane.
Pop culture icon simply deign to feed the public this crap. It's not that the public is hungry for it. It's that they don't know to demand better. And it's sad that young folks AREN'T exposed to better language and wordsmithing so that THEY will grow up to respect language as well as the subjects on which they speak.

Of course, being seriously and poetically gifted takes nurturing and discipline. People like R. Kelly and his ilk are lazy. They want something for little in return.


brohemian[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 5 2007, 8:06PM

Hi Chicagoangel and flintstone - I think this issue is less about political correctness and censorship, and more about trying to rein in a culture of disrespect, one which is wreaking havoc with the way Americans think about relationships and civility (as discussed in a 7/30 front page article in USA Today: "Rudeness, Threats Make Web a Cruel World").

I'm uncomfortable with letting such matters be decided by the free market ("If you don't like it, don't buy it") without accompanying thoughtful discourse and community action. And here we are, discoursing.

rpcjr
August 5 2007, 9:03PM

why are people talking about his music when the issue is whether or not he had sex with an underage girl? i've have not nor wish to see the tape. i'm sure regardless of the outcome of the trial, she'll be labeled a ho (if she hasn't already), and he'll be simultaneously vilified and hailed as a hero.

i do find it rather silly of him to be writing grade school lyrics while under a microscope. but if the public wants and accepts that from him, while he says he's innocent; then i would expect no less. because that's what he's always done. i don't like it, but i don't buy his albums either.

on a side note, why are people always throwing the Free Speech blanket on the fire of ignorance?

chocolatebear
August 6 2007, 1:30AM

Well, Let me put in my 2 cents with pun intended Keith...LOL As for R. Kelly this is a story of its own. However, I'm not into how our Black Artist disrespects women on many different scales. But this has been going on since The Black Exploitation era and it has not stopped. But my issue is his trial. Don't get me wrong if he is guilty then PAY THE PRICE. But when will these damn young girls who perpetrate and lie about their age when they do look 21 and only are 15. Why her Mother isn't kicking her ass through a window. You assume the position and you get what is coming to you. Of course we will be all over Kells because of him being older and rightfully so. However, These damn kids need to made accountable for their ILL WILLS as well and believe you me he is not the first person he has had sex with she is HOT in the ass and she will learn about playing with adults sooner, if not later.

algie
August 6 2007, 12:44PM

r kelly is a lost soul if have ever seen one. he needs jesus now.god has given that man soooooooooooooo many chances to get it together and here it is in august 2007 and he is still just as nasty as he was when he released you remind me of my jeep.i refuse to support hiss career and be a part of the reason r kelly thinks that what does is okay

cward[TypeKey Profile Page]
August 6 2007, 1:42PM

Hip Hop has taught me one thing: In the past I believed that it was the color of your skin that determined your destiny in regard to crimes, forgiveness, and blindness of the truth...now with the onslaught of rappers, entertainers, fashion designers in the black community my view has changed. I now understand that it is money that levels the field for any and all.

Just like the black overseer on the plantation that wiped the slaves in the field and told them he had to in the quarters because he could not go to the big house; whatever it takes to keep his easy job. The same is true today; these moguls trying to convince us that they are "down" with us while having none of our struggles. Yes, maybe you did in the past but that is long gone and you are just making money off of our troubles not lifting us up closer to your level.

The black community keeps on drinking from that poisoned cup. The black community needs to out grow R. Kelly and his type of music.

afroasiatic
August 15 2007, 12:24PM

40-years-old huh? I imagine such lyrics from a teen or twenty-something without a positive male influence. At 40, I'd hope conflict resolution skills would have developed more--I mean if it's real talk and all.

DJ Black Adam
August 15 2007, 2:10PM

Kel's needs to get a grip. If he is proven to be guilty (which I doubt with the Crook, er I mean, Cook county states attorney dogging it), Maybe Patrick Fitzgerald will get the case!

ToddyEnglish
August 15 2007, 5:42PM

R.Kelly needs to grow up. He strikes me as someone suffering from arrested development. He wants to stay a 17-year-old hood boy for the rest of his life. That is probably why he likes adolescent females(Aaliyah and the chick he pissed on)and wears nothing but cornrows and thugged out gear.

Grow up Peter Pan. Time to leave Never, Never land.

Nuyorikano
August 18 2007, 9:08PM

Keith, I luv u bruh, but sometimes you can be so blonde. Not only is R. Kelly more popular than ever, his trial has been relegated to an afterthought. Case in point, R. Kelly's latest endeavor, his increasingly popular viral video series "Trapped in the Closet" was highlighted in a NYTimes article, "R. Kelly’s Killer Serial: Video, Music, Cliffhangers, Midgets."

In today's pop life, society's standards have lowered considerably, and the bad behavior of "artists" (Britney, Whitney, et al) is accepted and even encouraged. The better to fill the needs of a growing media industry dependant on lurid content. Gone are the days when shocking behavior doomed an artist's career. Nowadays the more outrageous and profane, the better, whether we like it or not.

-Nuyorikano

J Tsunami
August 23 2007, 2:32PM

I overheard the album (the latest) more or less during a road trip w/ one of my boys and what struck me was how adolescent the album was, both conceptually and lyrically. The man has a nice voice but really, is he as deserving (artistically) as half the other musicians in the world working for pennies? It is indeed time to "grow up."

T682
September 28 2007, 9:10PM

I've loved R. Kelly since '92 but his albums have gotten increasingly sophmoric. He is wasting his talent on crappy music.


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