Editing R. Kelly

Kelly was too verbose (surprise! surprise!) and his comments wouldn't fit into our rather limited text fields. And that's a shame since many of his answers are very revealing and/or sweet. He fondly recalls his childhood and his mothers' influence on his musical orientation. Below is Kelly's unedited commentary on the Genius Loves Genius playlist.

1. Stevie Wonder “Sunshine of My Life” - Because he dedicated it to his child and I have three of my own.  Stevie inspired me to want to be a singer and write songs because his song writing and melodies connected me and the world. 

2. Stevie Wonder “Ribbon in The Sky” – I did it in a high school
talent show when I was 16 and it was the first live performance I ever did.

3. Stevie Wonder  “Jammin’” – There’s a riff on there that is the hardest riff in the world to get.  If anyone ever imitated Stevie, then they would have to get this riff.  And I don’t know of anyone who ever got the riff, except me, moi.

4. Donny Hathaway “Song For you” – It’s a song I play on the piano and dedicate to my mom no matter where I am.  She loves that song and said to me if you learn any song, learn “A Song For You.”

5.  Donny Hathaway “The Ghetto” – I’m from the ghetto as they call it, the hood.  Hathaway was from the ghetto and saw so many things that it comes through in his voice.  It isn’t just a voice, it’s his testimony.

6. Gladys Night “Midnight Train to Georgia” – It snatches you by the collar and brings you in to say, “remember me.”  My mom sounded like Gladys and would sing this song.

7. Gladys Night “Memories” – When I look back on how my character was built and how became the person I am today, I think of Gladys and songs like this.  When I hear this song, I get a tingle all over, even to this day.

8. Aretha Franklin “Dr. Feelgood” – A song my mom would sing around the house and it makes me smile today because I remember hearing my mom sing it. 

9.  Aretha Franklin “Natural Woman” – Even when I listen to it today, it’s still wild.  I still make the same faces when she riffs, and she riffs like no other.  Very soulful, church, party, boogie and passionate.

10. Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” – He meant it.  Pretty much like me, I mean what I say, because Al Green meant what he said.  He was talking about us as a people, let’s live, let’s love.

11. Al Green “He’s Coming Back” – I appreciated that he wasn’t afraid to step over, give thanks to god and sing gospel. 

12. Lionel Richie “Truly” – This song captivated the world.  He was always on point, made sure the melody, lyrics and concept of the song were framed in a beautiful frame.  He painted his songs with class. beautifully

13. Tina Turner “Private Dancer” – I grew up with this one

14. Tina Turner “Rollin’” – One my favorites from Tina Turner.  It jumps out and says hello to me.      

15. Ronald Isley/Isley Brothers “Groove With You” - He made everything alright when we were struggling growing up.

16.  Ronald Isley/Isley Brothers “Between The Sheets” – He’s like a father to me.  He inspired me to be in this forever.

17. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” - He knew how to take an issue and sing about it to the point where you were forced to stop and listen to it.  It made you humble.

18. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” – He healed my community and the world. 

19. Michael Jackson “Thriller” – It changed the world, made us say “wow.”  There are no rules in music. 

20. Elvis Presley “Houndog” – People around here call me the black Elvis, and I’m inspired by that.

21. Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” – He sang in his movies and that’s pretty much what I do with Trapped in The Closet.

22. James Brown “Funky Good Time” – That’s what I like to have, even now today, a funky good time.  It means you don’t care, move the chairs out the way and everything.

23. Billie Holliday “Solitude” - I go to bed to Billie Holiday every night