This is the second R. Kelly remix of a pop song we’ve heard this week, following his spin on Britney Spears’ “Till The World Ends.” He also took a whirl on Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation.”

R. Kelly feat. Mariah Carey – “Betcha Gon Know (I Check)”

Despite a health scare, Aretha Franklin is doing “superb” these days. So well that she has thoughts about making a move on R. Kelly.


The Queen of Soul checked in with Wendy Williams on Wednesday’s show where she sang the Pied Piper’s praises. “Do you love the song that R. Kelly just recorded, ‘When a Woman Loves’?” she asked the talk show host of the single from Kellz’ latest album Love Letter. “I think any woman that’s ever been in love will readily relate to that song. He is singing that song. I mean he is singing his heart and his soul out.”

Kellz had her head over heels in love with his tender tune. “You know if he isn’t careful, I might become a cougar,” warned the 68-year-old Detroit native.

During her revealing chat with Wendy, Aretha also confirmed that she is working on a biopic and is hoping to have an Oscar-winning actress play her. “Halle Berry is my pick,” she shared.

R. Kelly made a rare TV appearance for the first of a two-night gig on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Kellz, looking dapper in a bow tie, blazer, and dark-framed glasses, commanded the stage with his soaring rendition of “When a Woman Loves,” picking up the pace midway with an upbeat remix of the tune from his soulful album Love Letter, arriving next week. In case you forgot, remind yourself who put the R in R&B.

R. Kelly steps to the mic in the Motown-esque video for “When a Woman Loves,” the first single from his forthcoming album Love Letter. Kells keeps it simple in the black-and-white clip, leaving the focus on the soulful ballad’s tender lyrics and his ever-changing eyewear

R. Kelly documents his journey to Africa in the video for his World Cup anthem “Sign of a Victory” featuring the Soweto Spiritual Singers. Kellz faced his fear of flying and flew to Johannesburg to perform the inspirational song at the 2010 FIFA World Cup kick-off ceremonies earlier this month.

While many artists were influenced by the genius of Michael Jackson, R&B star R. Kelly had the pleasure of creating one of the King of Pop's biggest hits, 'You Are Not Alone.'

The platinum-selling single was the first record to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 when it bowed in August of 1995.

After their previous success, it's no wonder Jackson was eager to work with Kelly again on his upcoming album before his death.

"I recorded five joints for Michael Jackson," Kelly said, as we sat in the intimate recording studio nestled in the basement of his Chicago mansion. "This studio here is where Michael recorded. And we had been talking on the phone about his new album, and I was going to finish what Michael was doing at the time. We're going to get it out though. Michael liked the way I would try to sing the songs just like him."

But before he concentrates on releasing the unfinished Jackson tunes, the 42-year-old R&B crooner is anticipating his own new CD, 'Untitled,' slated to drop Oct. 13.

After 20 years in the music business, Kelly has seen a lot of artists come and go. It's for that reason, the Chicago native said, that he doesn't concern himself with the newcomers in the business who look to challenge him and take his spot as the "King of R&B."

"If you a true King, you don't get into challenges," he offered, pausing from playing his keyboard for emphasis. "I don't get into the challenges anymore. I've passed that. You know, it's like Muhammad Ali. You get to a certain status in your life, and you don't have to throw another punch. You are who you are, and people are pretty much going to recognize that if you walk that way. It's like, what is an elephant going do when an ant or a fly lands on him? You know what I'm saying? You not gonna go out your way to swat an ant. These guys got some growing up to do. I'm past that. That's something that maybe I would have answered 20 years ago."

The three-time Grammy winner, who has won everything from Grammys to Billboard Awards, penned the title track for Whitney Houston's new CD, 'I Look to You.'

"Whitney, that's like my sister. We get into it all the time, but she didn't understand the process, and Toni Braxton didn't understand the process. You have to talk about them and crack on them. I'm a mama jokes specialist. Sometimes you got to get to cracking and ribbing on people to let them know how real yo ass is and how ghetto you is," he said.
Kelly then re-enacted his conversation in the studio with Houston.
Kelly: Now say this. [Begins playing keyboard and singing Houston's 'I Look to You'] "As I lay me down..."
Then mimicking Houston's voice, he said, "What the f-k you mean say that? That's all you got?"
Kelly: "Hell yeah, that's all I got! But just say that for right now. You gonna have to trust me some [continues singing 'I Look to You']. Then now when it all starts to come together halfway through the song, now yo ass wants to believe me! Yeah whatever."

Kelly said he admonished Houston, urging her to get herself together before returning to the studio, because he wanted her in mint condition when they cut his songs.
"I told her to go get clean and refreshed, and sing my song like 'I'll Will Always Love You,' and we gonna be alright," he laughed.


The singer wasn't laughing, though, when it came to producing the soundtrack for the movie 'Life.' Kelly confessed that he begrudgingly gave up his song 'Fortunate' for that CD.

"I hated giving 'Fortunate' to Maxwell! But I'm not selfish," he giggled, before adding, "Just say catalog!"
Having written hits for the likes of Celine Dion, Kirk Franklin, the Isley Brothers, Britney Spears, Charlie Wilson and Ruben Studdard, Kelly confessed there is only one other artist he's itching to get into the studio with.


"I want to get in with Stevie Wonder, man," he shared. "I want to get in with Stevie because Stevie continues my legacy, and then I can continue his legacy. And then Stevie, of course, he's done so many hits. It's like sometimes it's hard to get with somebody else that's going to continue your legacy. It was pretty hard for me, and I understand I got to go to Atlanta to work with these new and younger producers and stuff if I want to stay current. I realize that I got something to give them, too. I got something to feed to them, but I got to realize they can feed me, too. So it's hard to let your ego down, and you've written so many hits for yourself and did everything -- keyboard, production, everything yourself. It's hard to all of a sudden say, 'Hold on, Kells.' So I think it was pretty hard for Stevie to just say, 'Oh, wait a minute. I got to do this with another younger guy.'"

Kelly said he originally wrote his song 'Happy People' for Wonder, who passed on recording it. The track ultimately ended up on Kelly's 'Happy People/U Saved Me' double CD.

For the first time that I could remember, Kelly acknowledged his challenges with reading and writing while we talked in the studio.

"I have to be honest. The reason I don't write down lyrics to songs is because I don't spell too well," he addressed.
After being asked what song from his massive catalog was his favorite, Kelly broke into an a capella rendition of his sexually charged '12 Play' before concluding: "I had all three of my kids off that record."

Here is R. Keri On Kimmel

R. Kelly and Keri Hilson (aka R. Keri) performed “Number One” for the first time together on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Kellz also did “Supa Man High” from his Untitled album in the pre-taped segment, which aired on Thursday’s show. Shout out to Sabrina & Ebony!!! I see ya ladies!!!

In conjunction with his new album Untitled, R. Kelly will launch the “Ladies Make Some Noise!” tour, kicking off October 8 in Connecticut. Tickets for the 36-date outing go on sale starting August 22. Click below for the itinerary.


Oct 8 – Mashantucket, CT
Oct 9 – Boston, MA
Oct 10 – Albany, NY
Oct 11 – Baltimore, MD
Oct 13 – Philadelphia, PA
Oct 15 – Newark, NJ
Oct 16 – New York, NY
Oct 18 – Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 20 – Cincinnati, OH
Oct 22 – Atlanta, GA
Oct 23 – Chattanooga, TN
Oct 24 – Charleston, S.C.
Oct 25 – Augusta, GA
Oct 27 – Birmingham, AL
Oct 29 – Dallas, TX
Oct 30 – Houston, TX
Oct 31 – New Orleans, LA
Nov 1 – Memphis, TN
Nov 5 – Los Angeles, CA
Nov 6 – Las Vegas, NV
Nov 7 – Oakland, CA
Nov 12 – Indianapolis, IN
Nov 14 – Detroit, MI
Nov 15 – Milwaukee, WI
Nov 17 – Chicago, IL
Nov 20 – Louisville, KY
Nov 21 – Charlotte, N.C.
Nov 22 – Greensboro, N.C.
Nov 24 – Washington, D.C.
Nov 27 – Jacksonville, FL
Nov 28 – Miami, FL
Nov 29 – Tampa, FL
Dec 4 – Norfolk, VA
Dec 5 – Richmond, VA
Dec 6 – Cleveland, OH
Dec 8 – St. Louis, MO

More dates to be announced.

Check the official tracklisting for R. Kelly’s tenth studio album Untitled, in stores October 13. The 14-track set features appearances by Keri Hilson, OJ Da Juiceman, and Rock City. As of this time, “Pregnant,” Kellz’ collaboration with Robin Thicke, Tyrese, The-Dream, and Maxwell, will not be on the album.


1. “Crazy Night” feat. Rock City (Produced by R. Kelly & Lil Ronnie)
2. “Outta the Game” (Produced R. Kelly and Chris Henderson)
3. “Exit” (Produced by R. Kelly and Jazze Pha)
4. “Echo” (Produced by R. Kelly and Infinity)
5. “Bangin’ the Headboard” (Produced by R. Kelly and Infinity)
6. “Text Me” (Produced by R. Kelly and GAZ)
7. “Number One” feat. Keri Hilson (Produced by R. Kelly and Roy Hamilton)
8. “Like I Do” (Produced by R. Kelly and Carlos McKinney)
9. “Elsewhere” (Produced by R. Kelly and Chris Henderson)
10. “Fallin’ From the Sky” (Produced by R. Kelly and T-Town)
11. “Religious” (Produced by R. Kelly and Todd Dixon)
12. “#1 Fan” (Produced by R. Kelly and Carlos McKinney)
13. “Be My Number 2” (Produced by R. Kelly and Jack Splash)
14. “Supa Man High” feat. OJ Da Juiceman (Produced by R. Kelly and Willy Will)