Thread: are you a fan of R.Kelly's Musical Influences?

I thought it was so great hearing the 30 minute mix tape he played. I heard him playing michael jackson's "Bad" Album backstage along with Rick James who he holds in high regard along with the Isley's Ron, charlie Wilson and the Gap Band,Stevie Wonder. I also heard Sam Cooke backstage as well. so when he shares his Musical Influences how does it impact you?

I grew up listening to Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder the Isley Bros, the first concert I ever went to was Rick James, and the Jackson 5. R Kelly and I grew up in the same kind of hood. He's from the south side of Chicago and I'm from North Philadelphia same hood in a different state.

Of course. For me, it's kind of hard to feel his soul, and understand why he says what he says without appreciating his musical influences. Like for example on Half On A Baby, those "oh's" at the end are originally from Lenny Williams, and I love his music. So it all ties together.

most of the acts i prolly woulnt have been in-to if it wasnt for liking kellz. it opened a few doors to a few artists.

Because of Kellz I've come to appreciate certain acts. Yeah, this is exactly my answer. Stevie Wonder&Marvin Gaye, I already listened to them before day 1 as a fan, but now I sometimes find myself tracing back into time and relating Kellz to the rich soil they paved for him while listening to their songs. I might not be able to find out specific similarities better than some of y'all do, but I think I smell it. Oh, Michael Jackson, too. Isley Brothers songs, I first started listening around the time I founs out Kellz mentioning them as one of his huge influences. I didn't grew up with musical heritage he and many here share, so I got a long way to go.

No. I like who I like not because somebody else like them. For instance, I can't stand Ron Isley and he don't get a free pass just because of his connection with R. Kelly.

Without a doubt I am. First I became an R. Kelly fan. Then he introduced me to hip hop (which however was not really a lasting love affair for me), and then he made me pay attention to the Brothers Isley through Down Low and Contagious. After that, I kinda got more and more into old school soul and Funk (which I wish was more present in today's music). So nowadays most of the CDs I buy are that type of music. Just this past Monday I bought Johnny Guitar Watson's "You Need It" anthology because I had stumbled upon it at amazon when I was searching for some other old school artists. Also, I finally bought Marvin's "Let's Get It On". Could hear some Happy People elements there.
So overall, basically R. Kelly is the only modern musician I am really into at the moment. I dig songs here and there on the radio or stuff, but the really good music was made from the 50's through the 70's and 80's.

I have always liked Rob's musical influences way before Rob came to the musical forefront. My parents are products of the old soul and blues era so it's only natural that I was exposed to all of his musical influences as a child. Rob is by far, my favorite artist though.

i appreciate sam cooke because of him. but i've come to aprreciate not only his influences but also the artists he produces.

No doubt I am. I was a huge fan of Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson way before getting to know Rob. I also loved Stevie and I grew up listening to Soul and classic R.&B., but when I discovered R. Kelly I found that I could have all of those artists in just one person and with a contemporary feel to it... He has surpassed all of his musical influences. No one comes close to brother R..