R. Kelly: Singer Talks Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston & New Music

While many artists were influenced by the genius of Michael Jackson, R&B star R. Kelly had the pleasure of creating one of the King of Pop's biggest hits, 'You Are Not Alone.'

The platinum-selling single was the first record to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 when it bowed in August of 1995.

After their previous success, it's no wonder Jackson was eager to work with Kelly again on his upcoming album before his death.

"I recorded five joints for Michael Jackson," Kelly said, as we sat in the intimate recording studio nestled in the basement of his Chicago mansion. "This studio here is where Michael recorded. And we had been talking on the phone about his new album, and I was going to finish what Michael was doing at the time. We're going to get it out though. Michael liked the way I would try to sing the songs just like him."

Happy People/U Saved MeBut before he concentrates on releasing the unfinished Jackson tunes, the 42-year-old R&B crooner is anticipating his own new CD, 'Untitled,' slated to drop Oct. 13.

(For full details on R. Kelly's new CD and tour, read: 'R. Kelly: Getting Up, Close & Personal for 'Untitled' Project' in the Entertainment Newswire.)

After 20 years in the music business, Kelly has seen a lot of artists come and go. It's for that reason, the Chicago native said, that he doesn't concern himself with the newcomers in the business who look to challenge him and take his spot as the "King of R&B."

R. Kelly

"If you a true King, you don't get into challenges," he offered, pausing from playing his keyboard for emphasis. "I don't get into the challenges anymore. I've passed that. You know, it's like Muhammad Ali. You get to a certain status in your life, and you don't have to throw another punch. You are who you are, and people are pretty much going to recognize that if you walk that way. It's like, what is an elephant going do when an ant or a fly lands on him? You know what I'm saying? You not gonna go out your way to swat an ant. These guys got some growing up to do. I'm past that. That's something that maybe I would have answered 20 years ago."

The three-time Grammy winner, who has won everything from Grammys to Billboard Awards, penned the title track for Whitney Houston's new CD, 'I Look to You.'

"Whitney, that's like my sister. We get into it all the time, but she didn't understand the process, and Toni Braxton didn't understand the process. You have to talk about them and crack on them. I'm a mama jokes specialist. Sometimes you got to get to cracking and ribbing on people to let them know how real yo ass is and how ghetto you is," he said.

Kelly then re-enacted his conversation in the studio with Houston.

Kelly: Now say this. [Begins playing keyboard and singing Houston's 'I Look to You'] "As I lay me down..."

Then mimicking Houston's voice, he said, "What the f-k you mean say that? That's all you got?"

Kelly: "Hell yeah, that's all I got! But just say that for right now. You gonna have to trust me some [continues singing 'I Look to You']. Then now when it all starts to come together halfway through the song, now yo ass wants to believe me! Yeah whatever."

Kelly said he admonished Houston, urging her to get herself together before returning to the studio, because he wanted her in mint condition when they cut his songs.

"I told her to go get clean and refreshed, and sing my song like 'I'll Will Always Love You,' and we gonna be alright," he laughed.

The singer wasn't laughing, though, when it came to producing the soundtrack for the movie 'Life.' Kelly confessed that he begrudgingly gave up his song 'Fortunate' for that CD.

"I hated giving 'Fortunate' to Maxwell! But I'm not selfish," he giggled, before adding, "Just say catalog!"

Having written hits for the likes of Celine Dion, Kirk Franklin, the Isley Brothers, Britney Spears, Charlie Wilson and Ruben Studdard, Kelly confessed there is only one other artist he's itching to get into the studio with.

"I want to get in with Stevie Wonder, man," he shared. "I want to get in with Stevie because Stevie continues my legacy, and then I can continue his legacy. And then Stevie, of course, he's done so many hits. It's like sometimes it's hard to get with somebody else that's going to continue your legacy. It was pretty hard for me, and I understand I got to go to Atlanta to work with these new and younger producers and stuff if I want to stay current. I realize that I got something to give them, too. I got something to feed to them, but I got to realize they can feed me, too. So it's hard to let your ego down, and you've written so many hits for yourself and did everything -- keyboard, production, everything yourself. It's hard to all of a sudden say, 'Hold on, Kells.' So I think it was pretty hard for Stevie to just say, 'Oh, wait a minute. I got to do this with another younger guy.'"

Kelly said he originally wrote his song 'Happy People' for Wonder, who passed on recording it. The track ultimately ended up on Kelly's 'Happy People/U Saved Me' double CD.

R. Kelly

For the first time that I could remember, Kelly acknowledged his challenges with reading and writing while we talked in the studio.

"I have to be honest. The reason I don't write down lyrics to songs is because I don't spell too well," he addressed.

After being asked what song from his massive catalog was his favorite, Kelly broke into an a capella rendition of his sexually charged '12 Play' before concluding: "I had all three of my kids off that record."

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VIDEO: See R. Kelly sing 'I Look To You' from Whitney Houston's new CD in this clip.

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

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3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic

3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images