9 Crazy Stories About R. Kelly

Seems like everyone who's ever met R. Kelly has got a story to tell.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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This week, R. Kelly's newest album Black Panties finally hit stores. It's been twenty years now since he dropped his debut album, 12 Play. In that time, we've learned a lot about the guy. Based on most everything you hear, he a very different type of person. He is, for starters, more expressive of his interest in sex than most other people. We have heard about allegations that have been made against that wish we had not heard about: sex with minors, child pornography. But he has never been convicted of those crimes. So basically, the only things that we can be absolutely sure of is that he was born and raised in Chicago, he likes leather, and he is a musical genius, the writer of songs like "I Believe I Can Fly" and "Down Low" and "Ignition (Remix)" and "Trapped in the Closet." 

As far as "But what is R. Kelly really like?" though, that's one of the great mysteries of contemporary music. He is an enigma. But most everyone who knows R. Kelly, or who has even met him, comes away with a memorable anecdote. Some of them are funny, some of them are disturbing. But all of these, at least, are publishable. Here are 9 Crazy Stories About R. Kelly.

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Fat Joe talks about R. Kelly's boxing

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R. Kelly and Fat Joe have been friends for years. The two worked together on 2001's "We Thuggin'" 2005's "So Hot," the "Make It Rain (Remix)" and have maintained a close relationship throughout the years.

While promoting his album The Darkside, Joe told a story about how, in 2010, Kelly told him he had gotten into boxing. Joe said he didn't believe him. So Kelly pulled out a tape showing him fighting in a underground "fight club" in Chicago. It opened with R. Kelly entering the ring like a real boxer to his song "World's Greatest." And then he actually threw hands, knocking a guy out with one punch. 

"The dude swings, R. Kelly ducks, catch him—BOOM!" said Fat Joe. "I was like yo, he's a murderer! This nigga R. Kelly was not swinging regular. He was swinging to kill."

After that, Joe said, Kelly fought a guy who was "cock diesel" and "the biggest dude he ever seen in his life." And that Kelly knocked him through the ropes. 

Trackmasters record Best of Both Worlds with R. Kelly in one night

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Tone of Trackmasters talks about R. Kelly on the Best of Both Worlds tour

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Michael K. Williams shares his experience with R. Kelly at McDonald's & at Trapped in The Closet wrap parties

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BJ The Chicago Kid meets R. Kelly

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Aziz Ansari meets R. Kelly

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R. Kelly attributes The Notebook to the decision to divorce his wife

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R. Kelly talks about his experience as a part-time stripper

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R. Kelly's brother, Carey, alleged that R. Kelly asked him to perjure himself.

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