How R. Kelly Predicted Today's Style Trends

The strides R. Kelly has made in the music industry are pretty impressive. The Chicago-native has innovated the narrative story-line in R&B, grabbed a few Grammys in the process, and sold close to 40 million records. But ever since he came on the scene in the early '90s with Public Announcement, R. Kelly has been ahead of the curve in departments other than music.

Robert's fashion choices throughout the years have always had their critics. Whether it's "What is he wearing?" or "What the fuck is dude wearing?" Kellz is always a topic of sartorial discussion. Today, we propose that R. Kelly's style risks that had people doing double-takes actually set what we see on the runway and streets today. Step into our time capsule and let the Pied Piper lead you to stylish salvation as we prove How R. Kelly Predicted Today's Style Trends.

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Where: "She's Got That Vibe" album single liner
When: 1991

Schoolboy Q knows what's good. He's paying homage to Kellz, who brought the bucket to life back in the '90s while he was with Public Announcement. Way before our time, so let's just acknowledge his prophecy and give praise. Kellz' contribution to proper headwear is astronomical.

Where: "She's Got That Vibe" music video
When: 1992

Sure, MC Hammer may have worn them first, but he looked hella gimmicky in them, right? R. Kelly made drop-crotch pants cool in the "She's Got That Vibe" video. Street, even. Maybe with a little...goth? Oh snap!

Where: BET Awards
When: 2003

Mesh tops saw a huge spkoe in popularity during spring/summer this year, and you can attribute that back to R. Kelly's mesh top days in the mid 2000s. He rocked them long, just like everyone is trying to do today. How can you not give the man credit for this?

Where: "Your Body's Callin'" music video
When: 1994

Now, we never said every trend trend R. Kelly predicted was a co-signed hit. Even though the Tevas with rolled trousers trend is popping amongst outdoorsy kooks and very fashion-y dudes, it's a love or hate style choice that Kellz decided to take the risk on back in the day. Gotta give him props for that.

Where: "Hair Braider" music video
When: 2008

This is one of those trends that R. Kelly essentially warned everyone about. He pretty much said, "if you're going to take the risk of rocking a metallic top, you need to fully commit and go with metallic hair, as well." That is probably why it's been so tough for anyone to perfect it like the Pied Piper.

Where: Word Up! Magazine
When: 1994

Not only did R. Kelly bring bomber jackets to our attention, which are constantly being reappropiated by brands in all sorts of variations today, but he most definitely 100% invented the praying hands emoji, too. While wearing very soft gloves! Damn, Kellz is a cultural icon way before his time.

Where: Light It Up Tour
When: 2006

Looking lavish is a part of R. Kelly's motif because he wants to convey that he's about that life. Which he is, because Kellz is a boss. And when you convey that lifestyle by wearing all-white-everything (very pristine, very peaceful) then others want to follow in those lavish footsteps.

Where: Mobo Awards
When: 2001

Kellz is the king of custom jerseys. Especially ones that have nothing to do with sports. Like, none at all. Designers today have taken cues and blown it out the water with new versions of R. Kelly's non-athletic fashion jerseys, but we can't forget who was first.

Where: Grammy Awards
When: 2004

R. Kelly wasn't just hiding from the public eye when he busted out the Zorro mask in the early 2000s. He was making a fashion statement that people just weren't ready for. Sure, Margiela may get credit for the versions the fashion house dropped last year, but realize where MMM got the idea from.

Where: R. Kelly album cover
When: 1995

That's right, folks. Kellz had the leather pants trend on lock back in the '90s, son! Before Drizzy. Before Ye. Before Diddy and Ma$e. The Pied Piper was leading our generation to leather-clad salvation, but we were just too dumb/young/unborn to see it.