Tyrese Says R. Kelly is the King of R&B: ‘Who Else But Him?

Tyrese Gibson has sparked significant controversy after naming R. Kelly as the “King of R&B” during a recent interview with The Shade Room. Tyrese emphasized that his opinion was based on R. Kelly’s musical contributions and longevity in the industry, distancing his statement from the legal controversies surrounding Kelly. He acknowledged other contenders like Usher and Chris Brown but held firm that no one surpassed Kelly’s influence in the R&B genre.

Tyrese’s comments have reignited the ongoing debate about separating art from the artist, with many fans and critics expressing outrage, particularly given R. Kelly’s criminal convictions. Despite the backlash, Tyrese stood by his remarks, stating that he was only focusing on Kelly’s music and legacy, not his personal issues​(The Source)​(That Grape Juice).