Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is a Grammy award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and record producer. Debuting in 1991 with the group Public Announcement, Kelly went solo in 1993, starting off a successful career with the release of the album 12 Play. He has since released a further nine studio albums, collaborated with Jay-Z on two albums and has had many successful singles including Bump N' Grind, I Believe I Can Fly, Ignition, The World's Greatest and the hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet.

Kelly has also produced and performed in many tracks by other R&B and hip-hop artists. In 1994, Kelly produced and wrote the debut album of R&B singer Aaliyah and in 1995, Kelly co-produced and wrote the song "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which was included on Jackson's album, HIStory. Kelly has sung the hooks for many notable hip-hop songs, such as "Fuckin' You Tonight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "We Thuggin'" by Fat Joe, "Gigolo" by Nick Cannon, and "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy, and has collaborated for two albums with Jay-Z.

Intro
R. Kelly Lyrics

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F.I.R.—Intro寻梦之途
(Music)
(along the beach)
Real:Wait,are we getting lost?
Faye:Where is the place Ian?Are we almost there?
Ian:Yeah! See the island over there!?
Real:Man it looks like a long way away
Faye:Oh! We all gonna drawn!

Ian:If we don't try then we'll never know,right?
Real:Right!
Ian:So let's go!
Faye:Guys wait for me! Hey!
Ian:Hey!You guys alright?
Real:Yeah,we're ok!
Faye:Yeah!

Ian:I think it's about half way...
(...inspired by the movie"The Beach")

Overall Meaning

In the intro to his song "The Sermon," R. Kelly shares his thoughts about being under constant scrutiny due to his career in the music business. He feels as though his every move is being watched by the public, and he compares his life to being under a magnifying glass. However, he suggests that those who are looking should take a good look, and he hopes that they find what they are looking for. He emphasizes that his personal life is nobody's business, but he moves on to discuss how things have changed for him since he was a struggling artist trying to make it in the industry. Kelly cites that God has blessed him, and he acknowledges that things are going differently for him now.

Kelly then takes a quick turn, making a reference to the Statue of Liberty and its apparent desire for "bump and grind." He invites the listeners to join him in witnessing the truth, as he believes there is nothing wrong with a little truth. He emphasizes the importance of turning on the lights and seeing things clearly. He reaffirms that people don't know who he is, where he has been, or where he is going, and he suggests that they focus on themselves before passing judgment on others.

Overall, R. Kelly's "The Sermon" intro is a reflection of his thoughts on how people view him and his personal life as a public figure. He acknowledges that his life is under a microscope, but he encourages those who are watching to look at themselves before passing judgment on him.

Line by Line Meaning

Are you ready for me?
R. Kelly is asking if the listeners are ready to hear what he has to say.

Before I start, I just wanna get a few things off my chest.
R. Kelly wants to express his thoughts before beginning.

You see, being in the business that I am in, looks like everything I do, Everywhere I go, and everything I see, Seems to be through some kind of magnifying glass-yes- Can I talk about it?
R. Kelly explains that due to his work in the music industry, people scrutinize his every move and he wants to discuss it further.

While you're looking I suggest you take a good look', And I hope you find just what it is you're looking for Amen
R. Kelly invites the listeners to watch him and hope they find what they need.

Just like that song says- ain't nobody's business what I do Now can I move on?
R. Kelly believes that his actions are his own and explains this through a song lyric before moving on to another topic.

I remember when I was trying to be somebody, but I just didn't know nobody (I didn't know nobody) But now (Now) I said now (Now) Can I say it again? (Gon' and say it again) Now, every since God has blessed me, it seems that things are going a little Bit different(yes it is)
R. Kelly talks about his past and how he didn't know many people but now that God has blessed him, things are different.

Folks ain't it funny how things can say sometimes,why,even the Statue of Liberty want some bump and grind Can I getta witness off up in them jeeps (Amen) I don't see nothing wrong with a little truth
R. Kelly makes a joke about the Statue of Liberty and invites the listeners to agree with him that there's nothing wrong with being truthful.

Now-now, wait a minute, go that way Ya see the good book says that the truth is the light, please, I think it's time To turn on your lights and see the truth Can, Can I talk on?
R. Kelly wants the listeners to understand that the truth is crucial and that they should take heed of it.

You don't know where I've been, you don't know where I'm going, You don't know What I do Can I get a witness?
R. Kelly reminds the listeners that they have no knowledge of his life and invites them to agree with him that nobody knows everything.

So before you go trying to pass judgment on me, pass judgment on yourself, Worry bout yourself, and what yourself is doing, and where yourself is going, And who yourself has been with That way, you (you) You (You) You , You don't have to ever worry about nobody But Jesus
Lastly, R. Kelly advises the listeners to focus on their own lives before judging others so that they do not need to worry about anything but Jesus.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: YI HENG WU

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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