Discover the defining moments in the early life of R. Kelly. From birth to education, explore key events.
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.
On January 8, 1967, Robert Sylvester Kelly was born. He would later become known as an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
In September 1980, R. Kelly entered Kenwood Academy and met Lena McLin, who encouraged his musical talent.
In 1993, R. Kelly's mother, Joanne, died from cancer. He has given conflicting accounts of where he was during his mother's death.
In 1996, R. Kelly married Andrea Kelly (née Lee), his former backup dancer and mother of his three children.
In 1997, R. Kelly signed a contract to play professional basketball with the Atlantic City Seagulls of the USBL.
In 1998, Kelly's oldest daughter, JoAnn (b. 1998), was born and named after the singer's mother, but is also known as Buku Abi.
In 2000, Jaah Kelly, R. Kelly's second child, was born.
In 2002, Robert Kelly Jr., R. Kelly's third child, was born.
In 2006, Andrea Kelly filed for divorce from R. Kelly.
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.
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.
In January 2009, the divorce between R. Kelly and Andrea Kelly was finalized after 13 years of marriage.
On July 19, 2011, R. Kelly was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for emergency throat surgery.
On July 21, 2011, R. Kelly was released from the Northwestern Memorial Hospital after undergoing emergency throat surgery.
On December 21, 2011, R. Kelly made a live appearance on The X Factor and gave his first performance after his throat surgery.
In February 2012, R. Kelly performed "I Look to You", a song he wrote for Whitney Houston, at her homegoing.
In 2016, R. Kelly donated cases of water to the Flint water crisis.
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