R. Kelly
Biography
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967) is an American former singer, songwriter, record producer, and convicted sex offender. Known professionally as R. Kelly, he is credited with prolific commercial success in R&B, hip hop, and pop music recordings, earning nicknames such as 'the King of R&B', 'the King of Pop-Soul', and 'the Pied Piper of R&B'. In 2025, Billboard ranked him 9th on their list of the 'Best R&B Artists of All Time'. In 2023, Kelly was convicted of multiple charges of child sexual abuse—three of thirteen charges of production of child pornography and three charges of enticing a child, effectively ending his career. As of 2025, he is serving a 31-year combined sentence at FCI Butner Medium I in North Carolina.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
R Kelly: Sex, Girls and Videotapes
as Himself (archive Footage)
2018
Hype Williams: The Videos Vol. 1
2002
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 13-22
as Narrator / Sylvester / Pimp Lucious / Reverend Mosley James Evans / Randolph
2007
The One8 Project: Hands Across the World
as Himself
2011
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 1-12
as Sylvester / Narrator
2005
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 23-33
as Narrator / Sylvester / Pimp Lucius / Dr William T. Perry / Reverend Mosley James Evans / Beeno / Interviewer
2012
Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact
as Self (archive footage)
2019
Estonia Dreams of Eurovision!
as Self (archive footage)
2002
R. Kelly: Live - The Light It Up Tour
as CANTOR
2007
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 1-22
as Sylvester / Narrator / Pimp Lucious / Reverend Mosley James Evans / Randolph
2007
The Gayle King Interview with R. Kelly
as Himself
2019
R. Kelly: The R. in R&B - The Video Collection
as Self
2003
IMPACT x Nightline: Diddy: Drugs, Lies, & Freak Offs
as Self (archive footage)
2024
TV Appearances
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
as Self
2003
American Music Awards
as Self - Musical Guest
1974
MTV Video Music Awards
as Self
1984
Teen Choice Awards
as Self
1999
Surviving R. Kelly
as Self (archive footage)
2019
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Musical Guest
1975
Trapped in the Closet
2005
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Musical Guest
1993