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Despite his six-year legal ordeal, Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known as R. Kelly, has stayed quiet about his child pornography allegations. Rarely do we hear of an interview in which he discusses his many controversial happenings. Instead, the Chicago native has expressed himself through his music.
But, now R. Kelly has decided it is time to share his story, and he's doing so in his as-yet-untitled memoir.
The three-time Grammy Award winner has chosen Tavis Smiley's SmileyBooks to publish his story, and Smiley couldn't be happier. The company has recently released Cornel West's 'Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir,' as well as books from Iyanla Vanzant and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
"We are thrilled to be the conduit through which R.Kelly will tell his story," Smiley announced. "He has earned the right to tell his story his own way."
Kelly, who just released his 10th studio album, 'Untitled,' on Dec. 1, has teamed with celebrity author David Ritz to co-write the tome. Ritz previously penned memoirs for Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin.
The 'I Believe I Can Fly' singer said his frustration with being misunderstood fueled his desire to share his story.
"I'm writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly," Kelly said.
R. Kelly's memoir is scheduled for release by SmileyBooks in early 2011.
R. Kelly Photos
FILE - In this June 13, 2008 file photo, R&B singer R. Kelly leaves the Cook County Criminal Court Building in Chicago during jury deliberations in his child pornography trial. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, file)
In this CD cover image released by Jive Records, R. Kelly's, "Untitled," is shown. (AP Photo/Jive Records)
R. Kelly performs at the Auditorium Theatre in downtown Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 2009. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/MCT)
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843932), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843784), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843886), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843875), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843827), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843797), contact WireImage.com
Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com
Singer/songwriter R. Kelly performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. R.Kelly In Concert - Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States November 5, 2009 Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage.com To license this image (58843781), contact WireImage.com
Comments: (35)
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By: gmppllc on 12/11/2009 12:37PM
Personally, who cares about a book from R Kelly and I'm tired of our people ignoring the fact that this brother has some serious problems. Just because he can make some hits that we can dance to doesn't mean that we can ignore the fact that he's a borderline pedophile. Not to mention while he was engaging in all of this activity...he was married. I wonder how some of us would feel if he would of targeted a love one of ours and video tapped it. It sure would change our mind about how we feel about him...thats for sure !
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By: ericka on 12/14/2009 8:03AM
"borderline pedophile"??? even if he has denied doing it, his marriage to aaliyah is proof enough. i will never spend another cent on this man. he hasn't been hot since 12 play anyway!!!
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By: Aljorie on 12/14/2009 10:28AM
I have to agree that this guy has serious issues and instead of writing a book he needs to seriously go into some heavy duty counseling FOR REAL!!! Very talented man but I would respect him more if he got some heavy duty counseling and spent some time talking with God!!
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By: b.j on 12/14/2009 5:52PM
i agree with you , r.kelly is a sick man. people need to pay attention, watch your little girls this guy will do it again.our black community should be more hard on him, don't wait fot it to happen again.
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By: peaches on 12/14/2009 8:45AM
R Kelly has some serious problems and I am tired of the black community defending him just because he can sing. I dont buy anything of his.
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By: gerry on 11/16/2010 7:50PM
DO YOU KNOW HIM PERSONALLY TO COME TO THAT CONCLUSION YOU CAN'T ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT IS WRITTEN ABOUT HIM
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By: RC on 12/14/2009 9:26AM
This is truly a low move for Tavis Smiley. The whole of it is disgusting!
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By: WTF? on 12/15/2009 10:43AM
How can R. Kelly write a book when the negro is illiterate? Tavis has sunk to a new low with this one.
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By: roy on 12/14/2009 11:14AM
PERVERT! JUST STAY AWAY FROM OUR LIL GIRLS YOU PERVERT!
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By: Tammy on 12/14/2009 11:59AM
I, for one, am excited about R.Kelly's autobiography. I am just as excited about this book as I am always for his music. I'm sure he will be open and honest. It is not our jobs to judge him. He has been found not guilty of every crime lodged at him. I am and will continue to be a fan because he is a musical genius.
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