R Kelly Country Music Star? Vibe Exclusive with R&B Crooner

R Kelly has tackled a lot in his career. Becoming the king of baby-making music at a time that featured the stiffest (Good Lord, no pun intended) competition for the crown this side of 1980, fashioning himself into a force in the world of production and, of course, creating a massive, ridiculous hip-hop soap opera that just works. It's why when he tells VIBE that he might be releasing some honky-tonk, I don't cast judgment, because it will probably be amazing.

"I've really been writing a lot of country songs," R Kelly told VIBE.

"I used to get criticized for doing a 'Bump & Grind' then turning around and doing a gospel song. But the truth is I'm glad I have a gift that allows me to switch lanes." 

Other highlights from the VIBE piece include R. Kelly speaking on his goals when he was starting out:

"My talent is more than just sexual songs. There was a time I desperately needed for the world to know that I was no category guy. My whole goal in life was to reach that certain success where people will say, "Hey, that guy can do anything. He's the Evel Knievel of music. He's jumping over 15 buses!" 

And his own thoughts on "Trapped In The Closet":

"Trapped In The Closet' is something Id didn't even expect. It is strange. But if you are going to be called a genius, which again I don't think of myself as, then you have to [break those barriers]. You can't hate on that. You have to respect a peson willing to sacrifice their career to try something new. You can say a lot about "Trapped in the Closet." But the one thing you can't say is it's not entertaining. And aren't we in the entertainment business?

The whole profile is really fascinating stuff and can be read over at VIBE.

If R. Kelly does release a country album, I'll likely be first in line (stan alert) but what do you guys think? Should the R. Kelly make country?