R. Kelly’s first encounter with Michael Jackson
R. Kelly (real name Robert Sylvester Kelly), singer and music producer, released his memoir, Soulacoaster, two weeks ago on June 28. In a section of this book, he describes his first encounter with the King of Pop.
The beautiful song “You Are Not Alone,” released in 1995, was the result of the collaboration between the two. After its release, “You Are Not Alone” entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart straight at number one, setting a new record. The song also reached number one in other countries such as the UK, France, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and Japan.
R. Kelly writes: "At least 2.5 meters tall. He had the look of an avatar*. He wore a black mask on his face, and you could only see his eyes. Michael finally came toward me. He looked into my eyes, opened his arms, and gave me the best hug of my life. In a voice softer than the wind, gentle and tender, he whispered in my ear, ‘The world will sing this song.’
Something silly came out of my mouth, like I said, ‘Congratulations on everything you’ve done, Mike. Congratulations on being Michael Jackson.’ Anyway, I said, ‘I’m really happy you liked the song.’ He said, ‘I don’t like him, Rob. I love him. I don’t want to change it—I want you to read it exactly the way you wrote it. You said the words from my heart so beautifully. That’s why I came here. The moment I warm up my voice, we can start.’
I said, ‘Excuse me for a moment—I’ll be right back.’ I went to the restroom and collapsed on the floor. I was overwhelmed and crying. Not because Michael Jackson was singing my song, but because I thought I had expressed his feelings in this song well... Michael had come to Chicago to collaborate with me."
"Then, with his high, almost singing voice, he said, ‘Rob, is it okay if I ask you to sing along with me in the background?’... Is it okay? Are you kidding? Michael Jackson was asking me to sing with him.
I practically ran into the recording booth, and I had to control myself so I could walk slowly, but I felt like a little girl."
Working on this song took another three weeks, and during that time they became good friends.
"Working with Michael Jackson was an easygoing experience. Every night, when he left the studio and got into his van, people would hang from the windows of the surrounding buildings just to see him. He always stopped and waved at them.
When the work was finished and it was time for him to leave Chicago, he pulled me into another hug and said, ‘You’re my brother.’ I couldn’t say anything."
[*Refers to the Na’vi people, extraterrestrial creatures, and the tall beings from James Cameron’s Avatar, released in 2009.]
Source: eMJey.com / Digitalspy
The beautiful song “You Are Not Alone,” released in 1995, was the result of the collaboration between the two. After its release, “You Are Not Alone” entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart straight at number one, setting a new record. The song also reached number one in other countries such as the UK, France, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and Japan.
R. Kelly writes: "At least 2.5 meters tall. He had the look of an avatar*. He wore a black mask on his face, and you could only see his eyes. Michael finally came toward me. He looked into my eyes, opened his arms, and gave me the best hug of my life. In a voice softer than the wind, gentle and tender, he whispered in my ear, ‘The world will sing this song.’
Something silly came out of my mouth, like I said, ‘Congratulations on everything you’ve done, Mike. Congratulations on being Michael Jackson.’ Anyway, I said, ‘I’m really happy you liked the song.’ He said, ‘I don’t like him, Rob. I love him. I don’t want to change it—I want you to read it exactly the way you wrote it. You said the words from my heart so beautifully. That’s why I came here. The moment I warm up my voice, we can start.’
I said, ‘Excuse me for a moment—I’ll be right back.’ I went to the restroom and collapsed on the floor. I was overwhelmed and crying. Not because Michael Jackson was singing my song, but because I thought I had expressed his feelings in this song well... Michael had come to Chicago to collaborate with me."
"Then, with his high, almost singing voice, he said, ‘Rob, is it okay if I ask you to sing along with me in the background?’... Is it okay? Are you kidding? Michael Jackson was asking me to sing with him.
I practically ran into the recording booth, and I had to control myself so I could walk slowly, but I felt like a little girl."
Working on this song took another three weeks, and during that time they became good friends.
"Working with Michael Jackson was an easygoing experience. Every night, when he left the studio and got into his van, people would hang from the windows of the surrounding buildings just to see him. He always stopped and waved at them.
When the work was finished and it was time for him to leave Chicago, he pulled me into another hug and said, ‘You’re my brother.’ I couldn’t say anything."
[*Refers to the Na’vi people, extraterrestrial creatures, and the tall beings from James Cameron’s Avatar, released in 2009.]
Source: eMJey.com / Digitalspy