R&B singer/songwriter R. Kelly revealed that despite his musical talents, he suffers from illiteracy and barely made it through grade school. The Grammy winner recently spoke at the Midwest Music Festival in Chicago, about the trials and tribulations of starting his career. "When I was trying to make it out here, I already knew, and I was stubborn about it," he said. "I don't even read really and I'm not afraid to say that. My cousins and brothers used to tease me 'you can't even read right. How you think you're going to come up?' The only reason I graduated from grammar school is because I had a great jump shot. I went to high school and [my teacher] told me 'you will one of the greatest writers of all time.' I believed. You [have to] believe it. You can't believe [anything] if you're hating. You can't achieve [anything] if you're hating."
Since being exonerated from child molestation charges Kelly has been working on his upcoming release. When news of Kelly's possible sexual escapades with a then underage girl broke in 2001, the singer maintained his innocence despite the leak of a sex tape showing him and the victim. He has received mixed reactions in response to the allegations but the 42-year-old stated that he is undaunted by his critics. "I got ya'll beat if you're hating on me," he said. "Because I love you. That's why I keep doing what I do."
Last year Kelly spoke publicly about the child molestation case. "I can't keep answering these questions," he said in an interview. "If you [were] charged with something and you [were] found innocent, then you can't be found guilty for being found innocent."
Kelly's forthcoming album is due in stores Oct. 12.
Reader Comments(1 of 6)
KAYat 10-02-2009
I totally agree with R Kelly. Why do they continue to bring the incident up after he was found not guilty! I think R Kelly is a very talented singer!
ttttkidat 10-02-2009
I went to Kenwood with R Kelly. He is a kind and talented spirit. His comment is on point:you cant be found guilty for being found innocent. Awesome words!!
Andreaat 10-03-2009
He is supposed to be forgiven, what about Michael Jackson, he was found not guilty as well but people still called him a pedophile, and thats what R. Kelly is also.
kathiat 10-03-2009
MAYBE people keep bringing it up b/c the man is, historically, a pedophile. (ie: Aaliyah when she was THIRTEEN, who he married when she was 15 or 16 then SHE divorced HIM when she was 19 b/c he cheated on her...with...a younger girl. go figure).
so YEAH, people keep bringing his pedophiliac-azz up! Just b/c he has good songs/music does not give him a free ticket to be a pedophile.
watdafukat 10-03-2009
Yea and OJ was innocent too.....(rolls eyes}
leagalfanat 10-05-2009
That what OJ thought
marcat 10-05-2009
whats wrong wit u? his talent has nothing to do with the fact that she was underage. u have to understand facts.
tangdayiat 10-09-2009
Found not guilty does not mean he is innocent of the crime(s) he committed. It means there was not enough evidence to convict. Big difference.
sarahbeth102578at 10-02-2009
Your the ignorant one for saying something so stupid! You can't put all black, white, hispanic, oriental, ect... in the same catagory EVER. Everybody is their own person and you make yourself look and sound so stupid for saying such an ignorant thing. Its so sad that there are still people out there saying things like this. Its fricken 2009!
Empresslocksat 10-03-2009
Who's ignorant? There is no such thing as "orientals". There are Asian people. Only oriental rugs and other objects. Dummy.
donb721at 10-02-2009
I went to grammer school and played on the same basketball team with R. Kelly. He was a very talented basketball player and singer even back then. But what I remember most is that he was a good person. He was found not guilty in court and we should respect the court's decision.
falcohouse1at 10-03-2009
Your ignorance is showing money buys anything. There was a tape it showed him. He paid her off. So you are saying that if the court says not guilty thats it. WOW So all the blacks that were fasely accused of murder because the court said so should be killed anyways, that was so stupid what you said. PS I AM WHITE
Hey Sunshine!at 10-02-2009
I don't listen to R Kelly's music because it isn't any kind of music I care for. I did listen once because he is a "homeboy". He grew up one town away from me is what I mean by that. (I have no idea what tttkid is selling - there's no Kenwood around us anywhere) Anyway, he got into his share of trouble back when we were in school, he was NO saint. He's illiterate because he'd rather be socializing back then and later on, hardly showed up at school, else he was suspended. It's not, however, too late to learn. I never supported moving kids through the grades because they could play a sport. Basketball isn't going to give you a career, though R Kelly lucked out in that aspect. I wish him luck, I really do, but keep it real. Tangdayi is right about "the court of public opinion." Look at how the majority has felt about OJ. Any harm to a child in the public's eye is as bad as murder, found innocent or not. With all the money he has, R Kelly should go to the Illitary Foundation (or whatever the name is) and he can learn to read in a fairly short time - and also make a good donation. He fought his way into a good career in music, so I believe that if he put his mind to it, he could learn to read but he should use someone that is a real educator to do so. I wish him luck and greetings from (his REAL) "back home" on his newest album.
Victoriaat 10-02-2009
child molester... u are wrong to take advantage of a young girl... ur money bought the judges... lawyers...and fools... i wonder if it where there daughter....would they convict you? hmm lifes a bitch but only because people just dont give a fck anymore..
tahoeat 10-02-2009
There is a videotape of him engaged in sex with the victim. How is he innocent?