Stagedoor FM

Words by:
Dan Bull
Follow @DanBull7609

Unfortunately for R. Kelly, his previous two soul-influenced records, Love Letter and Write Me Back, both failed to make much of a dint in the charts over here. For a man in his late 40s, you could be forgiven for expecting that this was R. Kelly turning the page and leaving the bumping ‘n’ grinding to artists half his age. Fortunately for those who have the stamina to go again, he still doesn’t see anything wrong with it. If anything, the only thing wrong was that it was too tame.

Following a return to the charts as the featured artist on Lady Gaga’s Do What U Want (which he also co-wrote), doing what he wants to bodies seems to be the theme running through Black Panties; a sexually-charged collection that fuses foreplay with [second album] 12 Play; producing some of the most hip-hop, unashamedly explicit tracks he’s produced for some time.

For the majority, minimalistic beats provide the frame for the crooner’s smooth vocals to slide over, under and in between. The angsty-growl he can create is almost unheard (with the exception of closing track, and open letter regarding controversies and thank yous to fans, Shut Up).

Of all the jaw/panty-droppingly shocking lyrics, Cookie and – even moreso – Marry The Pussy are the two that push the album’s theme to the point of hilarity. “I love to lick the middle like an Oreo,” he sings over a dirty, bass groove on the former, whilst a wedding you wouldn’t want to invite your parents to sees him rapping about doing things that may leave others wanting to inform the RSPCA.

When he attempts love songs of a slightly more conventional nature, there’s the impression that the controversy of the record is what Kelly hoped would sell it. On first impression, You Deserve Better appears to be a heartfelt attempt to coax a girl toward happiness, however it’s soon apparent that money is the real (only?) attraction offered (“Let a real ni**a bring you wealth”), whilst Throw This Money On You‘s title, a stirring power-ballad combining lush synths with a simple drum loop, appears to be a literal request.

The Kelly Rowland-featuring All The Way provides a more laid back attempt at a love song (“I’m right back smoking you…. You’re right back injecting me”), blending an impressively high range from K-Ro over Kelly’s layered vocals. Throughout the record, his ability to harmonise and shape his voice provides the most important instrument here, most notably on second single Genius; the most radio-friendly track here, with faultless falsetto moments that are even more notable considering his emergency throat surgery two years ago.

Clearly there are two sides to R. Kelly: the heart-wrenching, ballad writing, Whitney/Celine duetting artist of I Believe I Can Fly and The World’s Greatest fame, and the man who wrote and produced Black Panties. Somewhere in the middle, there’s a singer who released Ignition (Remix) (has anyone ever heard the version that isn’t the remix?) – and Do What U Want.

While Black Panties is successful in providing the 12 Play-esque hip-hop beats like few others can, lyrically it’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea (particularly for those who prefer a cup of tea!), and not just for it’s explicitly. Sometimes it simply sounds ridiculous.

On My Story, the 2 Chainz-featuring lead single, R. Kelly recites his story over an infectious guitar loop. Talk of moneys, cars and even hoes are present, but it’s authentic, credible and relevant. “And I’m sticking to it…” he repeats; now all we need is for him to stick to this sound.

Black Panties is due out on Monday 9th December; hit the iTunes link below to preorder: