As we all know, there's a long, long list of numerous R&B legends that have came and went through the genre's history. But since 1993, there's only been one man. One man who has been hands down the undisputed face of mainstream R&B music. That man is the immortal R. Kelly. Countless chart topping hits, number one albums back to back to back, dozens of songs written and produced for many artists, Grammy's and many other awards. This man as you can see has put together quite the legendary career. A career that a lot of today's new R&B singers can only dream of having. I could on listing his accomplishments. But anyway, here we are with yet another anticipated release from R. Kelly. This is his twelfth album Black Panties. Coming off dropping two albums (Love Letter and Write Me Back) that were both throwback, old school dance albums, it was certainly a good feeling looking at this album title and album art and knowing he's getting back to what he does best. That hot and steamy bedroom music. So apart of me was definitely intrigued to hear this album. Sadly, this wasn't what I was expecting. This wasn't a bad album but it definitely not a good one either. I'm honestly having trouble on where I stand with this album. The sex talk is there in full force, but the album just sounded like a more watered down R. Kelly. The album sounds too much like R&B's current sound today. A lot of hip hop influenced production, hooks and collaborations. Now if this was an album from any of today's singer I probably could live with it more. But this kinda falls short of the R. Kelly we've grown to like for two decades. The only way I can explain this further is by just naming my likes and dislikes so let me start there now. I didn't really have any favorites. Just a few that stood out. The first is the closing track "Shut Up". This was one of two or three songs on the whole album that sounds like the R. Kelly I prefer to hear. On this track he speaks on a more personal issue that has bothered him. In regards to him going through his surgery and listening to the media and the streets talk about how he's near the end of his career or how he has fallen off. Obviously something that doesn't sit well with R. Kelly as he lashed out on this track at all of those naysayers. Cool song. "Genius" sounds like one of those old vintage R. Kelly slow jams. Originally I thought this was gonna be about him being some kind of a music genius and bragging about his accomplishments or something. But nope, he's talking about being a "sex genius". I do like this song because it's sounds old school and it's the only slow jam on the album that sounds like the true R. Kelly. I thought "Spend That" has the best production of the album courtesy of DJ Mustard. However this song still has some growing on me to do. Young Jeezy's verse made it more enjoyable but it's still just an okay song. There were a few "just decent" songs. "Right Back" where he gives salute to "his niggas" and the lovey dovey duet with Kelly Rowland on "All The Way". Well there were plenty of dislikes so let's now go there. By far the worst song on the album is the second single "Cookies". Even when I heard this on the radio for the first time I shook my head in sheer embarrassment. There were bad lyrics throughout this album but this songs lyric were over the top poor. "bout to bang on the pussy like I'm throwing up crip", "break your back crack it open like a lobster", "I kill the pussy dig a grave", "I'm hittin the spot on your map/that's me going on tour". I mean these were just horrible, Lil Wayne level lyrics on an R&B song. The hook is just as awful. I can't even eat Oreo cookies the same anymore. "Marry The Pussy" was plain bad. This was next level simping that would even make Drake laugh. He sings about how he doesn't want to marry the woman herself, but rather her vagina instead. How can R. Kelly's genius mind come up with something so lame and stupid? Then right before that track is "Prelude" which is a pointless three minute interlude with him over the phone with a friend discussing the before mentioned song. All while the friend argues with some chick he just slept with. Again, pointless and not funny. The second single "My Story" could have been a much better song honestly. But the repetitive hook ruined everything. The trap style beat does mesh well with R. Kelly in my opinion. If this song belonged to 2 Chainz, who's featured on the track, I could probably deal with it more because it's something more up his lane. But no. It just sounds like another desperate attempt by R. Kelly to fit in with today' hip hop/R&B sound. It's a short album so I'll end it here. Overall, I wasn't too thrilled with this album. I don't think it was borderline bad but if someone asked me which of R. Kelly's albums is his worst then I'd probably say this one. I give it a final grade of a D+. As stated at the beginning of this, R. Kelly's career and legacy cannot be matched. The man is simply legend. Quite honestly he doesn't have to prove any else to anyone. Some wouldn't even mind him releasing an album of this quality because he's given us so much classic material for two decades. He's been through a lot obviously. But despite all the obstacles he went through throughout his time in the industry, he has always persevered and came back to show why he is a music legend and why he is the self proclaimed "R" in R&B. End.
Final Grade: D+
CREDITS
Executive Producer
Robert Kelly
Lead Artist
Robert Kelly
Production
Robert Kelly
Lamar Edwards
Dennis Manuel-Peters
Daniel Coriglie
Mario Bakovic
Antonio Brown
Dorrell Mays
Paul Jeffries
Dijon McFarlane
Tony Scales
John McGee
Collaboration
Christopher Bridges
Kelly Rowland
Tauheed Epps
Jay Jenkins
Nayvadius Wilburn
Quavious Marshall
Kirsnick Ball
Jordan Houston
Label
RCA Records
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