When it comes to hosting an album-listening event for a forthcoming project, R. Kelly sure knows how to please his guests.Last night, the self-proclaimed "Pied Piper" invited family, friends and industry tastemakers into his lavish suburban Chicago residence for an exclusive listening of his highly anticipated album 'Untitled.'
BV Newswire was there to kick it with the multitalented singer-songwriter, who treated guests to dinner before the private affair in his living room, which left many in awe over the high rise ceiling-- in addition to the many accolades mounted on his wall.
As folks lined up in time for second helpings and a concoction the singer created, called "sex in the kitchen," Kelly strolled his way into the log cabin-themed room with a cigar in hand, personally greeting everyone And apparently, the Pied Piper did plenty of studying before recording his new opus.
R. Kelly Photos
R. Kelly on the set of his music video, 'Number One.'
Parrish Lewis
Director Chris Robinson, Keri Hilson and R. Kelly on the set of his music video, 'Number One.'
Parrish Lewis
R. Kelly on the set of his music video, 'Number One.'
Parrish Lewis
R. Kelly on the set of his music video, 'Number One.'
Parrish Lewis
R. Kelly arrives at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards at the American Airlines Arena on August 28, 2005 in Miami, Florida.
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R. Kelly arrives at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards at the American Airlines Arena on August 28, 2005 in Miami, Florida.
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R. Kelly attends the premiere of Chapters 13-22 of 'Trapped In The Closet' at the IFC Center, August 15, 2007 in New York City.
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R. Kelly arrives at Cook County Court for his court hearings December 20, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.
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R. Kelly performs his version of the national anthem before the Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor undisputed world middleweight championship fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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R. Kelly arrives the Cook County Court on January 14, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.
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"I did my homework or else I wouldn't have invited all these important mutha-----s in my home," he said to everyone before standing on top of his wooden coffee table to make a toast. "May the best of past, be the worst of our future...by the grace of God, I'm still here doing it big," he added. "I'm trying to get back on top of that mountain and roar like the 'Lion King.'"
Judging from his new single, 'Number One,' the crooner isn't wasting any time vying for the top of the mountain when it comes to music. The song, which debuted three weeks ago, was the most-added record at urban radio and is currently the most-added record on rhythm-crossover radio playlists.
Immediately following his grand entrance, the 'I Believe I Can Fly' singer premiered his new video, featuring Keri Hilson, on his supersize HD screen before beginning with the album's lead track and West Indian-themed 'Crazy Night.'
"What are you writing down? It better be good!" he joked with us while 'Echo' played throughout the room, a song that finds Kelly yodeling on the chorus.
When asked to name his most personal track off the Oct. 13 release, he answered: "Ah man, it has to be 'Elsewhere.'" Kelly described the piano-driven ballad as the song he did to get his girl back. "I felt like I had to get my Brian McKnight on in order for me to get my baby back."
About midway through the night, the multiple Grammy Award winner was in such good spirits and so impressed with everyone's reception that he began passing out cigars. He even stopped the music to invite everyone downstairs into his studio to see where he created some of his timeless hits.
"Whoever wants to come down to see where I create my magic...come follow the Piper!" he announced.
After walking through his indoor rain forest-themed pool and past the luxurious Maybach Benz, everyone made their way down to the chart topper's personal studio, where countless numbers of autographed recording plaques, including Michael Jackson's 'Bad' and 'Dangerous' albums, were mounted on his wall.
Once Kelly was seated at his keyboard, he gave everyone another exclusive treat by giving an impromptu performance of Donny Hathaway's classic ballad 'A Song for You.'
"I've been so many places in my life and time/ I've sung a lot of songs/ I've made some bad rhymes/ I've acted out my life in stages/ With 10,000 people watching/ But we're alone now and I'm singing this song to you," he belted out, which commanded a standing ovation.
(For more on what went down in R. Kelly's studio, including details on completing five unreleased Michael Jackson tracks. Check out Jawn Murray's report: 'R. Kelly: Singer Talks Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston & New Music' in the BV Buzz.)
The performance served as a preview to his upcoming intimate "Ladies Make Some Noise!" tour, which kicks off Oct. 8 in Connecticut. Tickets for the tour will go on sale on Aug. 22. (See tour dates below.)
"Ladies Make Some Noise!" Tour Dates
Oct. 8: Mashantucket, Conn.
Oct. 9: Boston
Oct. 10: Albany, N.Y.
Oct. 11: Baltimore
Oct.13: Philadelphia
Oct. 15: Newark, N.J.
Oct. 16: New York City
Oct. 18: Pittsburg
Oct. 20: Cincinnati
Oct. 22: Atlanta
Oct. 23: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Oct. 24: Charleston, S.C.
Oct. 25: Augusta, Ga.
Oct. 27: Birmingham, Ala.
Oct. 29: Dallas
Oct. 30: Houston
Oct. 31: New Orleans
Nov. 1: Memphis, Tenn.
Nov. 5: Los Angeles
Nov. 6: Las Vegas
Nov. 7: Oakland, Calif.
Nov. 12: Indianapolis
Nov. 14: Detroit
Nov. 15: Milwaukee
Nov. 17: Chicago
Nov. 20: Louisville, Ky.
Nov. 21: Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 22: Greensboro, N.C.
Nov. 24: Washington, D.C
Nov. 27: Jacksonville, Fla.
Nov. 28: Miami
Nov. 29: Tampa, Fla.
Dec. 4: Norfolk, Va.
Dec. 5: Richmond, Va.
Dec. 6: Cleveland
Dec. 8: St. Louis
Black Music Notes Aug. 18
8/18/09: Macy Gray/Mya
Former Grammy-winning chart-toppers Macy Gray and Mya will join the ranks of 'Dancing with the Stars' when the hit televised celebrity dance competition returns for its ninth season on ABC. The network announced a whopping 16 celebrity contestants, including singers Aaron Carter, Donnie Osmond and Kelly Osbourne, will compete on the show when it debuts on Sept. 21.
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8/14/09: Smokey Robinson
With 50 years of professional music experience under his belt, legendary Motown crooner Smokey Robinson is set to deliver his latest project of original material on Aug. 25 titled 'Time Flies When You're Having Fun'. It's not on Motown though. The ROBSO Records/ADA Distribution release features Robinson collaborating alongside the likes of Joss Stone, Carlos Santana, and India.Arie for a collection of nostalgic tracks reminiscent to his earlier work. To recapture that familiar sound, the former Miracles frontman decided to tap into recording with a live band. "That way was like doing a concert, because everybody was feeding off of each other," he reflected. "It's just that live vibe." 'Time Flies When You're Having Fun' also features the lead single and Norah Jones cover 'Don't Know Why' and a bonus track: Robinson's re-working of the Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back'
Shorefire
8/14/09: Pharrell Williams/Michael Jackson
Since the untimely death of Michael Jackson two months ago, many of today's most renowned producers have taken interest in remixing some of his biggest hits. In the coming weeks, various remix collections will be making their way onto the net featuring reworked versions of Jackson 5 hits as part of an upcoming Universal Motown project titled 'Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite.' Among the producers taking part in the special project are The Neptunes ('Never Can Say Goodbye'), Dallas Austin ('I Wanna Be Where You Are'), Q-Tip, Ryan Leslie, Polow Da Don, Tricky Stewart, Stargate, and fellow Amy Winehouse and Nas collaborator Salaam Remi who revamped the Jackson's 'ABC' into a more reggae-flavored version. The full collection of suites will be released as a complete project on Oct. 27.
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8/14/09: N'dambi
When it comes to merging soul sounds from the 1970s and the 1980s with the legacy of Stax Records, singer-songwriter N'dambi has a bright 'pink' future ahead of her. The Dallas native and former Erykah Badu back-up singer is gearing up to release her debut opus for the label on Oct. 6, titled 'Pink Elephant.' For the set, N'dambi decided to tap former Shalamar and Gladys Knight producer Leon Sylvers to help incorporate a modern sheen with classic R&B. Notable tracks from 'Pink Elephant' includes the old-school hip-hop flavored 'Nobody Jones,' 'Ooo Baby,' and 'The One' among others.
Amazon
8/14/09: Vanessa Bell Armstrong/Rev. Ike
This weekend, gospel music powerhouse Vanessa Bell Armstrong will join Rev. Al Sharpton and singers Kim Burrell, Yolanda Wyns and Sarah Dash at a special ceremony celebrating the life of Rev. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, better known to millions of members, visitors and radio listeners as "Rev. Ike" - The Success and Prosperity Preacher. According to spokesman Angelo Ellerbee, the event will be held on Aug. 15 at New York City's Historic Palace Cathedral (the same Washington Heights church where Rev. Ike presided over for decades.) "A great spiritual leader in our generation who has left big shoes for all of us to try to fill," is how his protégé Bishop E. Bernard Jordan (of Zoe Ministries) described the late clergyman who died July 28 at age 74.
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8/14/09: Berry Gordy
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will pay homage to the late, great Michael Jackson by writing the introduction to a reissue of his 1998 memoir 'Moonwalk.' According to a statement released by publisher Harmony Books, Gordy will offer recollections of MJ as a child star and of the group formed with his brothers, the Jackson 5. Originally acquired by then-Doubleday editor Jackie Kennedy Onassis and published, he book will be reissued in October by Random House Inc. with a first printing of 100,000 copies.
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8/10/09: Jay-Z/Rihanna/Kanye West:
In support of his forthcoming release, 'The Blueprint 3,' Jay-Z is planning on assisting Jay Leno in kicking off his switch from late night to prime-time television on Sept. 14 at 10 pm. The rap mogul is scheduled to -- alongside Kanye West and Rihanna -- to perform his new single 'Run This Town.' Last week Hov (as he is known) and his cronies filmed the track's video clip in Queens, New York's historical Fort Totten Park. 'The Blueprint 3' hits stores on September 11.
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8/10/09: Maxwell:
Fresh off the heels of his sold out summer tour, chart-topping crooner Maxwell is making an exception for his fans by hitting the road this fall. In conjunction with Live Nation, the Brooklyn-bred singer-songwriter will be joined with Common and Chrisette Michele beginning Sept. 25 in Toronto. Last month, the singer's long-awaited album 'BLACKsummers'night,' debuted at the number one slot on the Billboard 200 chart selling 550,000 copies to date. Tickets go on sale for the 14-city trek on Aug.14. It ends Oct.17 in San Francisco.
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8/10/09: Three 6 Mafia:
Despite releasing their previous album 'Last 2 Walk' in 2008, Academy Award winning rappers Three 6 Mafia are back in the studio wrapping up their latest project, titled 'Laws of Power.' The Nov. 20 release shouldn't be a surprise to fans since the duo are constantly proactive inside the studio. "We've probably got about 20 songs, about 90 percent of the album done," group member Juicy J told Billboard. While DJ Paul notes that "we always record up 'til the day it's time to turn it in, just in case we come up with something else that's cool. We write and record all the time, 24 hours a day. We've got a few different studios and mobile studios on our computers, so we never stop." In addition to reaching out to the likes of Flo Rida, Sean Kingston and Kevin Rudolf, the Memphis natives also tapped Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins to produce the album's lead single 'Shake My.'
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8/6/09: Fabolous:
Thanks to the help of The Dream and the current single 'Throw It In the Bag' blowing up on radio airwaves across the nation, Brooklyn-bred MC Fabolous has finally landed his very first number-one album. Fab's latest Def Jam release, 'Loso's Way,' claimed the top spot by selling 98,613 copies within its first week out in stores. In addition to guest appearances from Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Keri Hilson, Marsha Ambrosius and Trey Songz, Fabolous can also credit the complimentary limited edition DVD that's packaged with the disc for his newfound success.
Def Jam
Comments: (49)
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By: darknchic83 on 8/19/2009 12:27AM
This guy and his music is just DISGUSTING...Soon and very soon, he and other pervs like him will be no more!!!
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By: "DimePiece" on 8/19/2009 12:36AM
I will make some noise all right, "BOO" sounds. Nothing really has changed in his music? The only thing changed is his haircut and his want to be young look. Keri of all people to collabo on is all he could find? I was falling a sleep on this one! No, "Ms. Keri Baby" can't sing and is not a good performer. I have no respect for R. Kelly for what he did to those young girls. He is DISGUSTING just like darknchic83 said on here. Does he really think that people have forgotten? That's my opinion.
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By: I am baddkitty on 8/19/2009 1:45AM
“In 1995, a rumor surfaced that 15-year-old Aaliyah and 27-year-old R. Kelly had secretly married. Both camps initially denied the rumor, but VIBE magazine published a copy of their marriage license, which showed that Aaliyah’s age had been falsely listed as 18. The marriage was annulled a few months later.” So there’s a legally documented history of Kelly preferring underage girls. Anything under 17 is considered underage in most jurisdictions, including Cook County, where Kelly’s trial is taking place. I really don’t understand why this guy still has a successful career and why this hasn’t tainted his image. i can not believe that we as a people would idealize a man like this. would these same women and men offer their children up to be victimized by a man. it is sad to see as shown with micheal jackson that a pervert can basically have consent to a child for their own perverted needs if only they can sing and dance.
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By: Eros on 8/19/2009 2:56AM
"reputation" ----- the general estimation in which a person is held by the public.
If R. Kelly fully understood how difficult it is to live down notoriety or a bad reputation, he might avoid making public displays of himself.
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By: "DimePiece" on 8/19/2009 7:16AM
Can somebody please tell me, WHAT'S UP WITH R KELLY'S PURPLE SCARF WITH MATCHING SHOE-BOOT? Something ain't right? The one part in the video, he is dancing like a girl with Keri. Oh, LAWD?
Let's all say, ISSUES!
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By: GSA on 8/19/2009 11:16AM
I just watched the video and I must say that I thought it was hot. Say what you want about his character or whatever, the man can put out some good music. I will definitely be watching checking out ITunes and doing some downloading.
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By: GSA on 8/19/2009 11:08AM
I honestly don't how what side of the fence I'm on when it come to "Kels". I never saw the infamous "video" so I never formed an opinion about his so called actions. I did buy his last joint, "Double Up", and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't at all sure I believed the allegations until the marriage license with Aaliyah surfaced. If he was guilty of molestation and got off God will definitely take care of him.
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By: Risa on 8/19/2009 12:13PM
Even though R.Kelly is a gifted song writer and musician, he is a very sick man. Now it appears that he is fooling around with barely legal young ladies and there are questions regarding exactly when their relationships started.
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By: holla on 8/19/2009 12:25PM
the music sounds good. you people who can not let yesterday go is full of it. none of us is perfect and kelly had to face his mistakes and he has taken full resonbility for his actions and has been aquitted . so all you that wants to find fault just do not like him period, and if he kisses your but all day and night you eoulf still find fault. well nobody cares about what you think life still goes on gor this man and you can not hold hoim down. so keep on trying. he is good at what he does and the pass is just that the pass its over and done with. go find you another nobody to play with this man is not a quitter and he will rise again. he is very aware of how a lot of you doys feel and hes not going to let none of you weak dogs rain on his parade, he is back, and you hate it but what can you do but live in the pass. get a life or keep trying to tear him down. it will never work, because you will stay talking, and broke. while this man lives his life. he has been forgiven for his wrong doing and who are you to keep bringing it up. that just shows how desprate you are. and you will forever stay stuck in the pass and the hood.
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By: sissy2004 on 8/26/2009 5:09PM
Well by the way you spell it is clear why you would forgive a man who molested a child and think of it as "let it go". Are you serious? He didn't kill someone by accident, or still cars and did time. He took advantage of a 13 year old girl. WTF? Only another sick mind wouldn't find fault in him after that.
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