Last Word - R Kelly
Artist:
R Kelly
He's one of the biggest stars - and sellers - in the world right now. But as we all know, when it comes to R Kelly, it's like Mo Money, Mo Problems. We pop to Kellz' Chicago house to talk tunes, trials and keeping it true. Words by Hattie Collins
Last time you had a big, fat hit?
Well, my new record, Double Up sold 400,000 in the first week and was top of the Billboard charts, so that was great. I'm very happy. I feel hungrier than I've ever been; it was time for me to double up and do it all over again.
Last time you were in the hood?
I'm there a lot. I grew up where 50 Cent grew up at, I grew up where Jay-Z and all of the hot rappers grew up at; in the hood. I've experienced people begin shot and I've been shot, I've experienced the whole drug game. Everything they talk about, I can relate to.
Last time you thought about retiring?
Well, right now it's the last thing on my mind, but it has happened in the past. My friend, Ron Isley, he encouraged me to keep going, keep writing the hits. A lot of times, I was down and I didn't want to continue, but he told me, 'Don't worry about what they say.' If I can have a career like Ron Isley, then I'm good.
Last time something made you nervous?
Well, I always feel pressure going into the studio, but it's a good pressure. I look at everything I go through, everything I've come through, the things I've overcome in my life and the challenges that meet me at the gate in my life, and I accept the challenges.
Last time you kept it real with someone.
(laughs) Well, I guess with the track Real Talk. I want to say first off that I didn't just go into the studio and say 'I know, today I'll write a curse song; b*tch, slut, b*tch, n*gga, ho.' I don't do that. I go in with a creative mind and spirit and I let creativity come to me, I don't chase it. We have got to realise that this is the real world; there are no aliens down here. We're all human; everybody, or most people, have had that argument, I feel. They didn't try to mute their words while they was arguing. If they can say it in movie theatres, and on talk shows, why should I stop? You can have kids playing games where they're doing all types of stuff. I think if I can't use the word sh*t, nobody should be able to use the word sh*t because I'm 40 and I'm a grown man.
Last time your words got twisted?
See, I do hate to do interviews because you start off so innocent but somehow, when it gets into that paper, it's twisted. I hear the words that they quote me as saying, but I know that's not my character.
Last time someone got you wrong?
Well, a lot of people think every song I write, I go through. Also, people think I'm conceited but I'm just a regular guy.
Last time you spoke to the man upstairs?
We talk a lot - well, I do all the talking cos I'm the one going through a lot. I sit and talk to God about my problems, and what's good is he'll listen but he'll keep your secrets. I need help to overcome adversity; with myself, with life, as a father, as Robert.
Last time you did a collabo?
You got a lot of people on my album, and I'm writing for Mariah Carey and Britney Spears at the moment. And I have written a song for Stevie Wonder. I would really love to work with him.
Last time you were proud of yourself?
I'd definitely have to say the greatest achievement is my longevity and still being here and still being on top of my game. It's like Evel Kneivel jumping 50 trucks when everyone else just jumped 10. That hasn't been done for a long time, so I would say being in the business has long as I have is my greatest achievement.
Double Up is out now, and the single Rise Up is out August
RWD Magazine
He's one of the biggest stars - and sellers - in the world right now. But as we all know, when it comes to R Kelly, it's like Mo Money, Mo Problems. We pop to Kellz' Chicago house to talk tunes, trials and keeping it true. Words by Hattie Collins
Last time you had a big, fat hit?
Well, my new record, Double Up sold 400,000 in the first week and was top of the Billboard charts, so that was great. I'm very happy. I feel hungrier than I've ever been; it was time for me to double up and do it all over again.
Last time you were in the hood?
I'm there a lot. I grew up where 50 Cent grew up at, I grew up where Jay-Z and all of the hot rappers grew up at; in the hood. I've experienced people begin shot and I've been shot, I've experienced the whole drug game. Everything they talk about, I can relate to.
Last time you thought about retiring?
Well, right now it's the last thing on my mind, but it has happened in the past. My friend, Ron Isley, he encouraged me to keep going, keep writing the hits. A lot of times, I was down and I didn't want to continue, but he told me, 'Don't worry about what they say.' If I can have a career like Ron Isley, then I'm good.
Last time something made you nervous?
Well, I always feel pressure going into the studio, but it's a good pressure. I look at everything I go through, everything I've come through, the things I've overcome in my life and the challenges that meet me at the gate in my life, and I accept the challenges.
Last time you kept it real with someone.
(laughs) Well, I guess with the track Real Talk. I want to say first off that I didn't just go into the studio and say 'I know, today I'll write a curse song; b*tch, slut, b*tch, n*gga, ho.' I don't do that. I go in with a creative mind and spirit and I let creativity come to me, I don't chase it. We have got to realise that this is the real world; there are no aliens down here. We're all human; everybody, or most people, have had that argument, I feel. They didn't try to mute their words while they was arguing. If they can say it in movie theatres, and on talk shows, why should I stop? You can have kids playing games where they're doing all types of stuff. I think if I can't use the word sh*t, nobody should be able to use the word sh*t because I'm 40 and I'm a grown man.
Last time your words got twisted?
See, I do hate to do interviews because you start off so innocent but somehow, when it gets into that paper, it's twisted. I hear the words that they quote me as saying, but I know that's not my character.
Last time someone got you wrong?
Well, a lot of people think every song I write, I go through. Also, people think I'm conceited but I'm just a regular guy.
Last time you spoke to the man upstairs?
We talk a lot - well, I do all the talking cos I'm the one going through a lot. I sit and talk to God about my problems, and what's good is he'll listen but he'll keep your secrets. I need help to overcome adversity; with myself, with life, as a father, as Robert.
Last time you did a collabo?
You got a lot of people on my album, and I'm writing for Mariah Carey and Britney Spears at the moment. And I have written a song for Stevie Wonder. I would really love to work with him.
Last time you were proud of yourself?
I'd definitely have to say the greatest achievement is my longevity and still being here and still being on top of my game. It's like Evel Kneivel jumping 50 trucks when everyone else just jumped 10. That hasn't been done for a long time, so I would say being in the business has long as I have is my greatest achievement.
Double Up is out now, and the single Rise Up is out August
RWD Magazine
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