Controversy is something that never eludes Chicago native R. Kelly, born Robert Kelly.  With numerous legal issues on the horizon, none of that seems to prevent R. Kelly from creating his brand of sex-charged R&B hits.

Regardless of what you may think of his content, nonody is denying R. Kelly’s talent.  He’s a multiple Grammy Award Winner, singer/songwriter, instrumentalist, producer and even rapper. 

With all these titles, Kells has managed to release yet another studio album. Don’t expect anything different from Double Up from his previous albums.  Actually, expect to see the envelope slowly pushed off the desk.  After songs like, “Bump and Grind,” “Sex in the Kitchen,” and the mini opera, “Trapped in the Closet,” Double Up is no exception. 

Led by smash remix, “I’m A Flirt (featuring T. I. and T-Pain); Kells makes no bones about what or who he is.  “Freaky In The Club” needs no explanation as to what is on the crooner's mind. 

In a collaboration of R&B heavyweights, Usher joins R. Kelly on “Same Girl.”  A genius track pairing the two singers revealing that the two are after the, well, same girl.  It plays out just as only R. Kelly can do. 

Unlike anyone in music today, he manages to paint a vivid picture with every song.  His thought process is like no other, leading to eventful tracks such as “Best Friend.”  Set in the confines of jail, R. Kelly exchanges barbs with his girlfriend, played by Keisha Cole and his best friend, Polow Da Don.  It is during this exchange that Kells realizes his girlfriend and best friend are involved with each other, while he’s doing time.  Only R. Kelly would dream up a scenario like that. 

Although Double Up is filled with more sexual innuendos than a Jenna Jameson movie, it should be seen for what it truly is.  It is simply another example of the sure genius that is R. Kelly, making it worth a double take.

Abraham Kuranga