R. Kelly

R. Kelly

Current Networth - -$2 Million

Personal Stats

NameR. Kelly
RoleSinger, Song Writer, Record Producer, Actor
IndustryEntertainment
Net Worth-$2 Million
Date of Birth and AgeJanuary 8, 1967 (age 57)
Accolades12x Billboard Music Awards, 3x Grammy Awards, 2x American Music Awards

Table of Contents

  • About R. Kelly
  • Businesses Owned
  • Early Life
  • Family
  • What Is R. Kelly’s Net Worth?
  • What is R. Kelly's claim to fame?

About R. Kelly

Robert Sylvester Kelly, known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his contributions to R&B and hip-hop. His hits, like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition (Remix),” solidified his reputation as one of the most successful and influential figures in modern R&B. Despite his musical success, Kelly's career has been overshadowed by significant legal troubles and allegations, ultimately impacting his legacy in the music industry.


Businesses Owned

  • Rockland Records


Early Life

Kelly’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to the heights of R&B stardom highlights both his musical talent and struggles.

  • Born on January 8, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, Kelly grew up in a low-income neighborhood and was raised by his single mother, Joanne, who encouraged his love for music.
  • From a young age, Kelly faced a challenging environment, which included struggles with literacy and a traumatic childhood. Despite these obstacles, he found solace and expression in music.
  • He joined his high school choir and later began performing on the streets and in subway stations, refining his talent before eventually pursuing music professionally.
  • His breakthrough came in the early 1990s with his group Public Announcement, followed by his solo debut album 12 Play (1993), which included the hit single "Bump n' Grind."

Family

Kelly’s family life has been marked by both privacy and controversy, with limited public insights into his relationships and family dynamics.

  • Raised primarily by his mother, Joanne, Kelly often credited her as a central figure in his life and spoke about her influence on his music.
  • Kelly was married to dancer and choreographer Andrea Lee from 1996 to 2009. They have three children together, and Andrea has publicly discussed the challenges of their relationship and her role in advocating for their children.
  • His relationships and personal life have often been subjects of public scrutiny, especially due to numerous allegations and legal cases, which have affected his personal and professional reputation.
  • Despite his fame, Kelly has kept much of his family life private, focusing on his music career but facing ongoing personal and legal battles that have impacted both his personal relationships and public image.

Net Worth-$2 Million
SalaryNA
ProfessionSinger, Record Producer, Songwriter, Actor
NationalityAmerican
No. of Houses1+
No. of Cars1+

What Is R. Kelly’s Net Worth?

R. Kelly has a net worth of negative $2 million.

In the early 2000s, R. Kelly's net worth was reportedly around $100 million due to his successful music career which included hits like "I Believe I Can Fly" and collaborations with major artists. However, the disgraced singer has a fortune in negative. His current financial struggles come from substantial legal fees, settlements, and the loss of future earning potential due to his imprisonment.

According to Billboard, his music catalog is now merely worth between $8.4 million and $10.5 million. The same has made nearly $4.1 million per year in revenue for R. Kelly. Moreover, on average, the singer averaged 315,000 albums from his music catalog and made $2.3 million a year in the period 2021-2023 and $1.425 million out of this came from music royalties.

Besides that, R. Kelly also founded a record label, Rockland Records which is now defunct and is under the control of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. The convicted singer also earned hefty sums from his tours. The Buffet Tour (2016) was the last tour R. Kelly was on and the tour brought in around $50 million. 


What is R. Kelly's claim to fame?

Despite his conviction, Robert Kelly still has a big fan following. It is due to the career he built over the past decades.

  • Breakthrough: R. Kelly was part of MGM and had already produced songs like "All My Love". However, his fame boosted through the room after his first solo album 12 Play (1993). It featured songs like "Bump N' Grind” which didn’t back down from the first position on on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for 12 weeks.
  • First Grammy: "I Believe I Can Fly" song earned R. Kelly his first three Grammy wins. It was featured on the soundtrack of Space Jam and became one of his signature hits.
  • Famous Producer: Michael Jackson’s "You Are Not Alone" song was written, composed, and produced by R. Kelly which made him a star of the industry. Before this, he had already started working as a producer for artists such as Janet Jackson and Aaliyah  (whom he controversially married).
  • Legal Troubles: Between 1991 to 2018, R. Kelly faced numerous sexual abuse allegations. He was found guilty in many civil and criminal lawsuits which ended up draining his entire wealth.

What Businesses does R. Kelly own?

Robert Kelly primarily focused on his music career. He did run off to play basketball with the Atlantic City Seagulls. However, that was it. He didn’t have any major companies to his name or big ventures except the following.

  • Rockland Records: In 1997, R. Kelly founded his own record label but five years later in 2002 the company was defunct due to sexual crimes allegations against the singer. Before shutting down, the label had produced only three albums (Sparkle, Life: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture, Unfinished Business) and had signed artists such as Strings, Boo & Gotti, and Secret Weapon.
  • Online Store: Robert Sylvester Kelly used to sell merchandise through his online store on his official website. Now the store is no longer accessible. However, Rockabilia does claim to have officially licensed merchandise from R. Kelly which it sells online.

What brands does R. Kelly endorse?

R. Kelly has not been prominently associated with owning or endorsing major brands. Even if he had in the past, those companies would run away from R. Kelly like politicians from the fact-check. Nonetheless, here are a few collaborations that R. Kelly has managed to secure.

  • Alexander Wang: In 2017, R. Kelly became a model for the fashion brand, Alexander Wang and was part of its Spring/Summer digital campaign.
  • Beats Studio: Booking Agent Info claims that R. Kelly has endorsed Beats Studio but it can’t be verified yet.

How does R. Kelly spend his money?

R. Kelly's spending has been marked by a lavish lifestyle and substantial legal costs. At the height of his career, he spent millions on luxury items, including multiple properties, with his Chicago mansion being foreclosed after he defaulted on the mortgage. He also spent extensively on private jets, expensive jewelry, and luxury cars, with some estimates placing his real estate expenses alone at over $5 million. However, his legal battles have drained his wealth significantly. His ongoing legal issues, including criminal defense fees and civil settlements, are believed to have cost him tens of millions, contributing to his current net worth of -$2 million.


How many houses Does R. Kelly Own?

As of recent reports, R. Kelly no longer owns any homes. He previously owned multiple properties, including a notable mansion in Olympia Fields, Illinois, and rented a luxury home in Atlanta, Georgia. However, due to financial struggles, including foreclosure on his Chicago-area mansion and mounting legal issues, he lost these properties.


How many cars does R. Kelly own?

At the height of his career, he was known for having an extravagant collection of luxury vehicles, which likely included multiple high-end brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley. However, due to his legal battles and financial troubles, it remains unclear if he is still in possession of his old garage. Meanwhile, there are some reports claiming that the singer does own a white Bentley Continental.


What are R. Kelly’s charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavors?

Throughout his career, R. Kelly was involved in several charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavors, though these efforts have often been overshadowed by his legal troubles. Some of his notable charitable activities include:

  • Educational Support: R. Kelly was known to make donations to schools and educational programs, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. He donated funds to inner-city schools and supported initiatives aimed at improving youth education and opportunities.
  • Disaster Relief: After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, R. Kelly hosted a benefit concert where all proceeds went toward relief efforts for the victims. This showed his willingness to use his platform to aid communities in crisis.
  • Community Outreach: Kelly was involved in various community outreach efforts in Chicago. He participated in events and made donations to support at-risk youth, homelessness prevention, and rehabilitation programs.
  • Religious Donations: As someone who often expressed his Christian faith, R. Kelly also made donations to churches and faith-based organizations, often aligning his charitable work with his spiritual beliefs.

What’s next for R. Kelly? 

R. Kelly would continue serving his time in jail after a federal court of appear from Chicago refused to give him any leeway.


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