R. Kelly Reveals He Has Incurable Disease

He described singing as an “incurable disease,” emphasizing that he continues to write and create music even behind bars. According to Kelly, he has written approximately 25 albums since his imprisonment, showcasing his unwavering dedication to his craft.

Despite his legal troubles, Kelly’s music remains popular. As of early 2025, his Spotify catalog has surpassed 3 billion total streams, with an average of over 782,000 daily listens. His extensive catalog includes 391 tracks, 234 of which are solo songs. His hit single “Ignition” alone has garnered over 645 million streams, averaging about 101,872 plays per day. This steady stream of royalties has provided Kelly with significant financial gains, enabling him to address some of his legal financial obligations. In December 2024, revenue from his music catalog covered a $500,000 federal judgment, including restitution payments.

Kelly expressed gratitude to his fans for their continued support, which has allowed him to maintain a substantial income even while incarcerated. However, his legal situation remains dire. Initially sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 29, 2022, for racketeering and sex trafficking in New York, Kelly received an additional 20-year sentence in Chicago on February 23, 2023, for child pornography and enticement charges. Nineteen of those years run concurrently with his original sentence, adding only one additional year to his incarceration. A federal appeals court recently upheld his convictions and the 30-year sentence, meaning Kelly could remain in prison well into his 80s.

Despite these setbacks, Kelly remains optimistic about his future, focusing on his eventual release and returning to his musical career. He stated, “Right now, I’m just working on getting out, getting back to what it is God gave me my talent to do.”