Artwork: The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1 (2003)

The R. in R&B Album Chart History

Week of October 4, 2003 - #4

Week of October 11, 2003 - #4

Week of October 18, 2003 - #5

Week of October 25, 2003 - #6

Week of November 1, 2003 - #9

Week of November 8, 2003 - #8

Week of November 15, 2003 - #8

Week of November 22, 2003 - #12

Week of November 29, 2003 - #15

Week of December 6, 2003 - #16

Week of December 13, 2003 - #18

Week of December 20, 2003 - #15

Week of December 27, 2003 - #17

Inside the Chocolate Factory

Peace Magazine | Harris Rosen

So many people have so many suggestions for R. Kelly that he should consider developing a syndicated tell-me-what-to-do column: produce, co-write, remix, record, tour, mentor and, of course, deal with his legal issues. We’ve all heard the admonitions and the accusations. His charges are omnipresent. And it wasn’t long ago that it appeared the man was finished. Deserted by Jay Z and sold out by the self-professed freedom fighters at Def Jam, Rob did what he had to do and released his biggest and boldest album to date. The Chocolate Factory debuted at number one and has sold in excess of two million copies on the strength of hits such as “Ignition (Remix)” and “Snake”. BET graced him with their 2003 Best Male R&B Award. Everyone from Michael Jackson to Britney Spears has stepped to the undisputed musical genius for hits. And the R. in R&B - The Hits Collection is just around the corner. Beyond the media spotlight, he’s busier than ever. But for obvious pre-trial legal reasons, R. Kelly cannot discuss the pending court case. If convicted of the twenty-one child pornography charges surrounding the now infamous twenty-seven minute video, he could face up to six years in prison. But at The Chocolate Factory in Chicago, where he sat for our entire interview wearing a black bandit mask, he is eager to speak on his love of music, his success, superstar status, and what he sees as the bigger R. Kelly story. Go beyond the image and read the words...

YOU’VE JUST WRAPPED THE ‘THOIA THOING’ VIDEO. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?

Right now I’m working on quite a few things. Michael Jackson. Working on Best of Both Worlds Part 2 with me and Baby from Cash Money. We’re fourteen songs deep into that and its called Ghetto Thriller: The New Twin Tours. Working on a new album for me right now. Eight songs deep into that. I wish I could really stop right now ‘cause, to me personally, my opinion is that that’s my best work. And just so many other things I can’t think of. I just did a couple of songs for Britney Spears. Song is called “Outrageous” - perfect title for her, I would say. And man, just continuing to work, man. I just did something for Joe, a song is coming out. Working on Charlie Wilson’s album called Charlie, Last Name Wilson. Cause he has an incredible voice and it’s just not time for him to retire. Working on getting JS out here the way they should be out here ‘cause they’re very talented. And working on Syleena Johnson’s new album, Nivea’s new album, and B2K’s new album. Statue of Liberty want me to do something. It’s something for everybody that I’m working on with.

Why does everybody always go to R. Kelly for the hits to save themselves?

I don’t think it’s necessarily about me saving them because a lot of people I work with are pretty well established and they’ve done a lot of stuff before they met me. They just like I am, continuing to want to stay on top and in order to do that you got to collaborate with people that want to stay on top. Them coming to me, I think they feel my hunger for this music and they feel my love for this music. And by them loving it also, you can’t miss when the love is there for the music.