R. Kelly

Solo Artist · Pied Piper

Photo: BobbysBest2011 · CC BY 3.0
Active 1987-2019
Origin Chicago, Illinois
Albums 15
Tracks 230
Most frequent collaborator Poke & Tone · 20 tracks
Genres R&BSoulHip Hop SoulNew Jack Swing
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 230 of 230 tracks

Did R. Kelly write his own songs?

Almost all of them, and most of them by himself. He is credited on 229 of the 230 tracks across his fifteen solo albums, and 174 of those carry his name and no other writer. Four albums have no outside writer at all: 12 Play, the self-titled 1995 record, TP-2.com and Chocolate Factory.

By the Numbers

15
Studio Albums
230
Tracks Credited
100%
Self-Written
75 million
Records Sold
32
Years Active
249
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 230 / 230 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 230 tracks: how many R. Kelly wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

R. Kelly has a writing credit100%
76%
24%
Sole author175tracks76%
Co-written55tracks24%
Outside writers0tracks0%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
R. Kelly's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 230 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)100%
Composer (music)100%
Producer89%
Performer100%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

R. Kelly's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
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100%
100%
100%
100%
1992Born into the 90's
199312 Play
1995R. Kelly
1998R.
2000TP-2.com
2003Chocolate Factory
2004Happy People/U Saved Me
2005TP.3 Reloaded
2007Double Up
2009Untitled
2010Love Letter
2012Write Me Back
2013Black Panties
2015The Buffet
201612 Nights of Christmas
Early · 100% written
Mid · 100% written
Late · 100% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

100%
1990s
Born into the 90's, 12 Play +2 more
100%
2000s
TP-2.com, Chocolate Factory +4 more
100%
2010s
Love Letter, Write Me Back +3 more

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where R. Kelly sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

R. Kelly
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

Whitney Houston5%
Xscape17%
En Vogue32%
Boyz II Men51%
TLC59%
Mary J. Blige70%
Mariah Carey87%
100%R. Kelly
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Dedicated
Born into the 90's
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Honey Love
Born into the 90's
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)
Born into the 90's
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
She's Got That Vibe
Born into the 90's
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Bump n' Grind
12 Play
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Your Body's Callin'
12 Play
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Summer Bunnies
12 Play
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
You Remind Me of Something
R. Kelly
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)
R. Kelly
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)
R. Kelly
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
I Believe I Can Fly
R.
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time
R.
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
When a Woman's Fed Up
R.
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
I Wish
TP-2.com
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Ignition (Remix)
Chocolate Factory
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Step in the Name of Love
Chocolate Factory
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Snake
Chocolate Factory
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Happy People
Happy People/U Saved Me
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
U Saved Me
Happy People/U Saved Me
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Playa's Only
TP.3 Reloaded
Written by Scott Storch, R. Kelly, The Game, Robert Sylvester Kelly, Jayceon Taylor
Co-wrote
In the Kitchen
TP.3 Reloaded
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Same Girl
Double Up
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Religious
Untitled
Written by R. Kelly, Warryn Campbell, Antonio Dixon, Tyrese Gibson, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Co-wrote
Echo
Untitled
Written by R. Kelly, Infinity, Darhyl Camper, Claude Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Co-wrote
When a Woman Loves
Love Letter
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Share My Love
Write Me Back
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
Feelin' Single
Write Me Back
Written by R. Kelly, Robert Sylvester Kelly
Wrote it
My Story
Black Panties
Written by R. Kelly, 2 Chainz, Nineteen85, Robert Sylvester Kelly, Tauheed Epps, Paul Jefferies
Co-wrote

Discography 15 albums

The discography also lists The Best of Both Worlds (2002) and Unfinished Business (2004), two albums credited jointly to Jay-Z and R. Kelly rather than to Kelly alone. They sit outside this catalogue.

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

R. Kelly230 tracks
P&20Poke & Tone, 20 tracks P19Precision, 19 tracks R19R, 19 tracks T6Trackmasters, 6 tracks C6co., 6 tracks BM5Bigg Makk, 5 tracks G4G-One, 4 tracks R"4Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, 4 tracks SC4Sean Combs, 4 tracks on Puff Daddy's page SJ4Stevie J, 4 tracks LR4Lil' Ronnie, 4 tracks TA3Timmy Allen, 3 tracks KP3Kelly Price, 3 tracks BH3Barry Hankerson, 3 tracks CR3Cory Rooney, 3 tracks AW3Al West, 3 tracks DS3DeVante Swing, 3 tracks SB2S. Barnes, 2 tracks JO2J.C. Oliver, 2 tracks CB2Calvin Broadus, 2 tracks SD2Snoop Dogg, 2 tracks L2Ludacris, 2 tracks I2Infinity, 2 tracks DC2Darhyl Camper, 2 tracks WC2Warryn Campbell, 2 tracks M2Marz, 2 tracks DP2Dennis-Manuel Peters, 2 tracks DC2Daniel Coriglie, 2 tracks MB2Mario Bakovic, 2 tracks DM2Dorrell Mays, 2 tracks TB1Tyrone Blatcher, 1 track MJ1Michael Jefferson, 1 track KE1Karen Evans, 1 track PR1Patrice Rushen, 1 track MB1Morris Broadnax, 1 track ML1Mr. Lee, 1 track CP1Clarence Paul, 1 track WW1Wayne Williams, 1 track SW1Stevie Wonder, 1 track LH1Lee Haggard, 1 track TN1The Notorious B.I.G., 1 track TI1The Isley Brothers, 1 track KM1Keith Murray, 1 track GA1G. Archie, 1 track SJ1Steven Jordan, 1 track DR1D. Romani, 1 track TW1T. Willoughby, 1 track RL1Ron Lawrence, 1 track CG1Cameron Giles, 1 track VS1Victor Santiago, 1 track SC1Shawn Carter, 1 track VC1Vegas Cats, 1 track MR1M.C. Rooney, 1 track AY1Andre Young, 1 track HC1H. Casey, 1 track RF1R. Finch, 1 track C1Cam'Ron, 1 track N1Noreaga, 1 track J1Jay-Z, 1 track B&1Boo & Gotti, 1 track JR1Ja Rule, 1 track RI1Ronald Isley, 1 track BT1Big Tigger, 1 track FJ1Fat Joe, 1 track KB1Kim Burrell, 1 track SS1Scott Storch, 1 track on The Roots's page TG1The Game, 1 track on G-Unit's page JT1Jayceon Taylor, 1 track EM1Elephant Man, 1 track OB1O'Neil Bryan, 1 track N1Nivea, 1 track B1Birdman, 1 track T1Twista, 1 track DR1Dennis Round, 1 track BZ1Belo Zero, 1 track CT1Carl Terrell Mitchell, 1 track DS1Darnell Smith, 1 track DO1Do or Die, 1 track LT1Luny Tunes, 1 track W&1Wisin & Yandel, 1 track SB1Swizz Beatz, 1 track KD1Kasseem Dean, 1 track TR1The Runners, 1 track CB1C. Bereal, 1 track CB1C. Brockman, 1 track CK1C. Keyes, 1 track NS1N. Stewart, 1 track CB1Calvin Broadus, Jr., 1 track K1Khao, 1 track N1Nelly, 1 track CH1C. Haynes, 1 track C"1Corey "Keyz" Martin, 1 track C1Chamillionaire, 1 track HS1H. Seriki, 1 track M&1Mysto & Pizzi, 1 track BW1Bow Wow, 1 track RJ1R. Jackson, 1 track T1T.I., 1 track T1T-Pain, 1 track SM1S. Moss, 1 track CH1C. Harris, 1 track FN1F. Najm, 1 track U1Usher, 1 track H1Huey, 1 track LF1L. Franks Jr., 1 track CB1C. Bridges, 1 track KR1Kid Rock, 1 track PD1Polow da Don, 1 track KC1Keyshia Cole, 1 track VS1Verse Simmonds, 1 track TT1Theron Thomas, 1 track TT1Timothy Thomas, 1 track RJ1Ronnie Jackson, 1 track PV1Planet VI, 1 track JP1Jazze Pha, 1 track LN1Larry Nix, 1 track RB1Ricco Barrino, 1 track PA1Phalon Alexander, 1 track KV1Kassim Vonicco Washington, 1 track CK1Claude Kelly, 1 track DC1DJ Camper, 1 track SH1Sassieon Hill, 1 track M"1Miguel "Rico Law" Jiminez, 1 track RL1Rico Law, 1 track CM1Carlos McKinney, 1 track H1Hilson, 1 track R"1Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, 1 track R"1Raphael "Riffraph" Hamilton, 1 track R1Riffraph, 1 track KH1Keri Hilson, 1 track RA1Rob Allen, 1 track S1Soulshock, 1 track KK1Kenneth Karlin, 1 track CS1Carsten Schack, 1 track SA1Soulshock and Karlin, 1 track OD1OJ da Juiceman, 1 track GM1Gucci Mane, 1 track WW1Willy Will, 1 track OW1Otis Williams, Jr., 1 track RD1Radric Davis, 1 track WH1William Hodge, 1 track PL1Paul L. Kyser, 1 track JS1Jack Splash, 1 track LS1Leon Stuckey, 1 track G"1Gasner "Gaz" Hughes, 1 track G1Gaz, 1 track AD1Antonio Dixon, 1 track TG1Tyrese Gibson, 1 track TU1The Underdogs, 1 track C"1Christopher "Deep" Henderson, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 241. P& Poke & Tone · P Precision · R R · T Trackmasters · C co. · BM Bigg Makk

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Kelly is credited on 229 of his 230 tracks, and 174 of those carry his name and nobody else's. Four albums are entirely his: 12 Play, the self-titled record, TP-2.com and Chocolate Factory have no other writer anywhere on them. The sole credits thin out only at the end, on Untitled, Black Panties and The Buffet, where the guest rappers arrive with their own writing teams.

Quick Facts

  • FromSouth Side of Chicago, born 8 January 1967
  • Self-writtenCredited on 229 of his 230 tracks
  • Written alone174 tracks carry his name and no other writer
  • Career salesOver 75 million records worldwide
  • GrammysThree, all for "I Believe I Can Fly"
  • Wrote for othersMichael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aaliyah and more

Creative Fingerprint

Sole writer and sole producer on three quarters of everything he released, for twenty years.

The Story

R. Kelly is Robert Kelly, from the South Side of Chicago, who started busking at an "L" stop and went on to sell over 75 million records worldwide. Fifteen solo studio albums came out between 1992 and 2016. His recording career ran from 1987 to 2019.

Awards & Recognition

Grammy Award, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "I Believe I Can Fly"
Grammy Award, Best Rhythm and Blues Song for "I Believe I Can Fly"
Grammy Award, Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television for "I Believe I Can Fly"
American Music Award, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist (2000)
Named the No. 1 R&B artist of the last 25 years by Billboard (2011)

Frequently Asked Questions R. Kelly

Did R. Kelly write his own songs?
Almost all of them, and most of them by himself. He is credited on 229 of the 230 tracks across his fifteen solo albums, and 174 of those carry his name and no other writer. Four albums have no outside writer at all: 12 Play, the self-titled 1995 record, TP-2.com and Chocolate Factory.
Who wrote "I Believe I Can Fly"?
Kelly wrote and produced it alone. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and won him three Grammy Awards.
How many albums did R. Kelly release?
Fifteen solo studio albums between 1992 and 2016. Two more, The Best of Both Worlds and Unfinished Business, are credited jointly with Jay-Z and sit outside this catalogue.
How many records did he sell?
Over 75 million worldwide. R. is his biggest at 8x platinum in the US, followed by 12 Play at 6x platinum and the self-titled album at 5x platinum.
Did he write for other artists?
Heavily. His songwriting and production credits include work for Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson, Chris Brown and Aaliyah.
Which album is entirely his own writing?
Four of them. 12 Play, R. Kelly, TP-2.com and Chocolate Factory each carry his name on every track with nobody else credited.
When did he stop writing alone?
Gradually, from Untitled in 2009 onward. That album has two sole credits out of fifteen tracks, Black Panties has one out of thirteen, and the guest rappers on those records bring their own writers.
What is he called?
Pied Piper, which the article lists among his other names. Billboard named him the No. 1 R&B artist of the last 25 years in 2011.
Who produced his records?
He did, on nearly all of them. Six albums list him as sole producer, and the others add specialists like Trackmasters, Scott Storch, Polow da Don and Dr. Luke on individual tracks.
Why does the catalogue stop in 2016?
12 Nights of Christmas was his last studio album. His recording career is listed as running from 1987 to 2019.

Sources

Wikipedia: R. Kelly Wikipedia: R. Kelly discography