- R. Kelly, also known as Robert Sylvester Kelly, is serving a 30-year prison sentence.
- He spoke about his experiences in a phone interview on the Inmate Tea With A&P podcast.
- Kelly views singing as an essential part of his identity, referring to it as “a beautiful disease that’s incurable.”
American singer and songwriter R. Kelly, whose legal name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, has opened up about his time behind bars, three years into his 30-year prison sentence.
Speaking in a seven-minute phone interview on the Inmate Tea With A&P podcast, Kelly shared that he has remained creatively active despite his incarceration. The R&B artist claimed to have written over two dozen albums since being imprisoned in 2022.
During the monitored call, he was asked whether he had continued to use his musical talents while serving time. In response, Kelly described singing as an intrinsic part of him, calling it “a beautiful disease that’s incurable,” emphasizing that he could never stop performing.
Reports indicate that the singer has composed around 25 albums while serving his sentence, which stems from his 2021 conviction on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
In addition to songwriting, Kelly stated that he is focused on regaining his freedom so he can return to his craft, which he believes is a gift from God.
The interview has sparked controversy online, with some social media users criticizing media platforms for giving him a platform. Others questioned how he managed to write such an extensive body of work while in prison.
See comments below:
@TimothyJustinB1:”How do prisoners record music in prison?
@Lillian Braggs:”Why don’t he release them so he can pay the restitution and the fines and other debts incurred.”
@wrldbeststepbro:”We don’t need r.kelly in 2025.”
@LECKS_:”Lord forgive me but I bet he got some heat on them 25 albums.”
@RandomTheGuy_”R Kelly when he sees Diddy walking into the same prison.”
@LeeMoeFlvmee:”Those the only 2 Rkelly songs I even listen too my grandma love step n the name of love n I love when a women’s fed up.”