Double Up (Clean)

The King of R&B's Double Up delivers a potent potion of pure signature R&B with some Hip Hop on top. Featuring collaborations with T.I., T-Pain, and more, the legendary R. Kelly joins forces with some of the hottest and best Hip-Hop talent and the result is fiercly sexy. From the steamy "Pull Ya Hair", to the smooth stylin of "Freaky In The Club," fans around the globe will jump at the opportunity to Double Up with R. Kelly.

R. Kelly's rep could be considered controversial at best, but that's not to say the man who does for raunch what Beyoncé does for backsides (that is, caused the masses to arrive at a more multidimensional consideration) is not a fascinating artist. On Double Up, arguably his most sex-crazed, diabolically sleazy CD to date, Kelly grunts like a monkey, envisions a hot and heavy interplanetary romp, and indulges in NC-17-rated rhymes. Stylistically, the self-described king of R&B kicks up a hip-hoppy storm, spitting rapid-fire rhymes and tossing the 'n' word around too freely. But then there's the saving grace: that voice. Throughout a couple of inspirational numbers and collaborations with friends such as Usher ("Same Girl") and Nelly ("Tryin' to Get a Number"), Kelly does what he did so capably on the megahit "I Believe I Can Fly": he reaches even reluctant listeners with deep-seated sincerity. Even when he doesn't, he still knows how to capture catchy--first single "I'm a Flirt," for example, locks it up with a whisper and a wink. --Tammy La Gorce