R. Kelly Reveals He Has Written 25 Albums in Prison, Hopes to Continue His Music Career

Nationwide — R. Kelly, now three years into his 30-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering, revealed he has written 25 albums while behind bars. The disgraced singer also expressed hope for an early release to continue his music career.

Speaking on the Inmate Tea With A&P podcast, the 58-year-old singer called in from a monitored prison line. The hosts playfully referred to him as the “King of R&B” and “Pied Piper of R&B.” Kelly said he was feeling “great” and even sang a cappella lines from his 1998 hit When a Woman’s Fed Up.

When asked about continuing his musical career since being incarcerated, Kelly described singing as “a beautiful disease that’s uncurable. That’s not gonna happen, not singing,” according to Billboard.

Before his conviction, Kelly was known for his musical success, having released 18 albums and 33 chapters of his “Trapped in the Closet” series.

Currently incarcerated at a federal prison in North Carolina, Kelly said he hopes to return to his music once he’s free. However, his recent attempt to appeal his conviction was denied, meaning he could remain incarcerated for decades, possibly into his 80s.

Kelly has faced numerous accusations of sexual abuse, including an illegal marriage to 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994 and allegedly holding women in a “cult-like” environment. The Surviving R. Kelly documentary further exposed allegations of abuse. Despite the ongoing legal battles and public accusations, Kelly has denied the allegations and continues to maintain his innocence.