R. Kelly: Breaking Silence in New Memoir via Tavis Smiley's Book Company

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.

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"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.

"I'm tired of being misunderstood," he added. "I will show you the tears, fears and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is."

R. Kelly's memoir is scheduled for release by SmileyBooks in early 2011.

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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)

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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)

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

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