Rise to Success: Career Highlights of R. Kelly

How R. Kelly built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Robert Sylvester Kelly, known as R. Kelly, was a highly successful American singer, songwriter, and record producer in R&B, hip hop, and pop music. Once dubbed the "King of R&B," his career ended due to his arrest in 2019. He was convicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, stemming from the sexual abuse of minors. These convictions effectively ended his music career and tarnished his legacy.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1989: Formation of MGM

In 1989, R. Kelly formed the group MGM (Musically Gifted Men or Mentally Gifted Men) with Marc McWilliams, Vincent Walker and Shawn Brooks.

1990: MGM offered a contract with Tavdash Records

In 1990, MGM were offered a contract with an independent label, Tavdash Records.

1991: MGM wins Big Break and disbands

In 1991, MGM won the $100,000 grand prize on the talent TV show Big Break before disbanding.

1991: Signs with Jive Records

In 1991, R. Kelly signed with Jive Records, marking a significant step in his professional career.

1992: Debut Album Release

In early 1992, R. Kelly's debut album, Born into the 90's, was released, credited as R. Kelly and Public Announcement, and spawned several R&B hits.

November 9, 1993: Release of 12 Play

On November 9, 1993, R. Kelly released his first solo album, 12 Play, featuring the hit "Bump N' Grind".

1993: Separation from Public Announcement

In 1993, R. Kelly separated from the group Public Announcement to pursue his solo career.

1994: Established Producer and Headlined Tours

In 1994, R. Kelly established himself as a producer for artists like Aaliyah and Janet Jackson, and co-headlined a tour with Salt-N-Pepa.

1994: 12 Play Certified Gold

In 1994, R. Kelly's album 12 Play was certified Gold by the RIAA, eventually going six times platinum.

November 14, 1995: Release of Self-Titled Album

On November 14, 1995, R. Kelly released his eponymous second studio album, R. Kelly, which was praised for its vulnerability.

December 1995: Vibe album review

In December 1995, Professor Michael Eric Dyson critiqued Kelly's self-titled album "R. Kelly" for VIBE.

1995: Grammy Nomination for "You Are Not Alone"

In 1995, R. Kelly received a Grammy Award nomination for his contributions to Michael Jackson's single, "You Are Not Alone".

November 26, 1996: Release of "I Believe I Can Fly"

On November 26, 1996, R. Kelly released "I Believe I Can Fly" on the Space Jam soundtrack.

1997: Kelly gains international celebrity

In 1997, Nunyo Demasio of the New York Daily News noted that R. Kelly had gained international celebrity by combining streetwise rhythms with sexually explicit lyrics. His work generally focuses on love and sex.

November 17, 1998: R. Released

On November 17, 1998, R. Kelly released his fourth studio and first double album, R.

1998: Launched Rockland Records

In 1998, R. Kelly launched his own label, Rockland Records, in a distribution deal with Interscope Records.

1999: Soundtrack for film Life

In the summer of 1999, R. Kelly wrote and produced the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy film, Life, which features tracks from K-Ci & JoJo, Maxwell, Mýa, and Destiny's Child, among others.

November 7, 2000: Release of TP-2.com

On November 7, 2000, R. Kelly released his fifth studio album, TP-2.com, a project aligned with his breakthrough album, 12 Play.

December 2000: Sparkle's Album Certified Platinum

In December 2000, Sparkle's eponymous debut album, produced by R. Kelly, was certified platinum.

January 24, 2002: Announcement of The Best of Both Worlds

On January 24, 2002, R. Kelly and Jay-Z announced the completion of their collaborative album, The Best of Both Worlds, with support from various celebrities.

February 22, 2002: Leak of joint album

On February 22, 2002, the joint album with Jay-Z was leaked.

March 19, 2002: Release of The Best of Both Worlds

On March 19, 2002, The Best of Both Worlds was released, selling 285,000 copies in its opening week but being a critical and commercial disappointment.

May 2002: Loveland Bootleg Leak

In May 2002, six months prior to the scheduled release, R. Kelly's sixth studio album, Loveland, was leaked as a bootleg copy.

February 18, 2003: Chocolate Factory Album Release

On February 18, 2003, R. Kelly released "Chocolate Factory", which debuted as the number one album on the Billboard 200, selling 532,000 copies in its first week, and was met with critical acclaim.

2003: Started Working on Double Album

In 2003, R. Kelly began work on a double CD album, one with "happy" tracks and another with "inspirational" tracks.

August 24, 2004: Happy People/U Saved Me Album Release

On August 24, 2004, R. Kelly released the double album, Happy People/U Saved Me, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 264,000 copies in its first week.

November 2004: "Wonderful" Chart Success

In November 2004, R. Kelly's appearance on Ja Rule's single "Wonderful" alongside Ashanti, led to the song charting at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the UK Singles Chart.

2004: Finished Happy People/U Saved Me and Unfinished Business

In 2004, R. Kelly finished Happy People/U Saved Me and Unfinished Business.

July 2005: TP.3 Reloaded Album Release

In July 2005, R. Kelly released TP.3 Reloaded, which became his fifth consecutive number-one album.

December 2006: Guest Appearance on "I'm a Flirt"

In December 2006, R. Kelly appeared as a guest on Bow Wow's song "I'm a Flirt", building momentum for his upcoming album, Double Up.

April 2007: Release of "Rise Up" for Virginia Tech

In April 2007, R. Kelly released the song "Rise Up" for Virginia Tech after the 2007 school shooting and donated the net proceeds to the families of the victims.

May 15, 2007: "Rise Up" Digital Download Release

On May 15, 2007, R. Kelly's song "Rise Up," a tribute to the Virginia Tech shooting victims, was released as a digital download, with proceeds donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

May 29, 2007: Double Up Album Release

On May 29, 2007, R. Kelly released his album Double Up, which became his sixth and final album to chart at number one on the Billboard 200.

2008: Album Postponement and Leak

In 2008, R. Kelly's album 12 Play: Fourth Quarter was postponed and later leaked online, causing the title to be scrapped.

February 2009: Untitled Album Announcement

In February 2009, R. Kelly announced he was working on a new album called Untitled.

June 2009: Mixtape Release

In June 2009, R. Kelly released his first mixtape, The "Demo" Tape, presented by DJ Skee and DJ Drama.

June 20, 2009: Arise African Fashion Awards Headliner

On June 20, 2009, R. Kelly headlined the Arise African Fashion Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa.

January 2010: Performance in Kampala, Uganda

In January 2010, R. Kelly performed in Kampala, Uganda, marking his first visit to Africa.

June 11, 2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup Performance

On June 11, 2010, R. Kelly performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.

September 2010: Plans for Three New Albums

In September 2010, R. Kelly announced that he was working on three new albums, including Epic, Love Letter, and Zodiac.

November 2010: Collaboration with One8

In November 2010, R. Kelly collaborated with several African musicians, forming a supergroup known as One8, writing and producing their first release, "Hands Across the World."

December 14, 2010: Love Letter Album Release

On December 14, 2010, R. Kelly's tenth album, Love Letter, was released, including his rendition of "You Are Not Alone".

2010: Kelly pens "Sign of a Victory"

In 2010, R. Kelly penned the song "Sign of a Victory" for the FIFA World Cup, with all proceeds benefiting African charities.

April 6, 2011: Performs at Clara's House charity event

On April 6, 2011, R. Kelly performed at a charity event in Chicago benefiting Clara's House, a facility designed to build employment, housing, health care, and education in the projects of Chicago.

September 23, 2011: Signed On to Write Music for Sparkle Soundtrack

On September 23, 2011, R. Kelly signed on to write original music for the Sparkle soundtrack.

October 7, 2011: Move to RCA Records

On October 7, 2011, R. Kelly was set to release music under the RCA brand after Sony's RCA Music Group consolidated Jive, Arista, and J Records into RCA Records.

2011: Most Successful R&B Artist

In 2011, Billboard named R. Kelly the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years.

June 30, 2013: BET Awards Performance and New Track

On June 30, 2013, R. Kelly performed live at the BET Awards Show, singing hits and his new track "My Story" featuring 2 Chainz.

November 16, 2013: SNL Performance of "Do What U Want"

On November 16, 2013, R. Kelly performed "Do What U Want" with Lady Gaga on Saturday Night Live.

November 17, 2013: Debut of "PYD" Collaboration

On November 17, 2013, R. Kelly and Justin Bieber debuted a collaboration entitled "PYD".

December 10, 2013: Black Panties Album Release

On December 10, 2013, R. Kelly's twelfth studio album, Black Panties, was released.

2013: Collaborations with Various Artists

In 2013, R. Kelly collaborated with several artists, including Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Hudson.

July 2014: House Music Album Announcement

In July 2014, R. Kelly announced that he was working on a house music album.

October 21, 2016: 12 Nights of Christmas Release

On October 21, 2016, R. Kelly released his only Christmas album, also his fourteenth and final studio album in his career thus far, 12 Nights of Christmas.