The Evolution of R. Kelly

Kellz believed he could fly—and he was right.

The Evolution of R. Kelly - Kelly's talents were too much for him to use alone—from the almost the very beginning, he was producing, writing and remixing songs for Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and many others. One of his early collaborators was a young Aaliyah; he produced and wrote much of her debut, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, though its release was marred by rumors that Aaliyah—who was 15 at the time—and Kelly had been married in secret. (Photos from left to right: Rose Prouser REUTERS /Landov, Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
The Evolution of R. Kelly   - In 1996, Kelly dropped one of his biggest, most inspirational songs yet with "I Believe I Can Fly" on the soundtrack of the film Space Jam. The song won three Grammys and elevated Kelly's career to a new level. (Photo: MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty Images)
The Evolution of R. Kelly   - Kelly released his epic TP-2.com in 2000, sporting inspirational anthems ("I Wish"), party-starters ("Fiesta") and his signature tongue-in-cheek freak tales ("Feeling on Yo Booty"). The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard and was certified quadruple-platinum.
R. Kelly Freaks Out - What should've been one of Jay-Z's most triumphant onstage moments — he and R. Kelly joining forces at Madison Square Garden for their Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2004 — became one of the most bizarre when Kelly stormed off mid-set, claiming audience-members were waving guns. Right after, Kelly got into an altercation with members of Hov's crew backstage and ended up getting pepper sprayed. Needless to say, the tour collapsed, leaving a trail of lawsuits and salty interviews in its wake. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)Jay-Z and R. Kelly - Collaborations like R. Kelly’s “Fiesta” Remix and Jay-Z’s “Guilty Til Proven Innocent” made a full-length album between these two music gods a no-brainer. “Best of Both Worlds” went platinum in ’02 amidst Kellz’s sex tape scandal and a lack of promotion. Two years later, outtakes from the “Worlds” sessions, “Unfinished Business,” hit stores and struck platinum as well.

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The Evolution of R. Kelly   - In 1996, Kelly dropped one of his biggest, most inspirational songs yet with "I Believe I Can Fly" on the soundtrack of the film Space Jam. The song won three Grammys and elevated Kelly's career to a new level. (Photo: MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty Images)

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