R. Kelly has stated that he remains focused on creating music despite serving a long prison sentence.
In an interview on Inmate Tea with A&P, released on March 2, the singer and convicted sex trafficker said he continues to write and perform while incarcerated. “Singing is a beautiful disease that’s uncurable,” he said. Kelly claimed he has written 25 albums since entering prison and continues to work on new material.
In addition to making music, Kelly said he is still fighting his legal case. “I’m working on getting out,” he stated, adding that he is taking a patient approach. His attorney, Jean Bonjean, told TMZ that the appeals process is ongoing, saying, “We will continue to fight for justice and for his freedom.”
Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2021 after being found guilty of multiple charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. His conviction was upheld on February 12, 2025, by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. The court ruled that Kelly used his fame to exploit victims for over two decades, isolating them and subjecting them to abuse.
Kelly’s legal team argued that the evidence presented in court was insufficient and claimed jurors were biased. Bonjean described the appeal’s rejection as “unprecedented” and suggested they may take the case to the Supreme Court.
Kelly is currently scheduled for release on December 21, 2045, according to Bureau of Prisons records. His previous attempt to appeal a separate conviction from 2022 in Chicago was also denied by the Supreme Court.
