R. Kelly’s kids have publicly distanced themselves from their father following his criminal convictions.
Robert Sylvester Kelly, known professionally as R. Kelly, dominated the R&B music scene for decades before his career ended in scandal and criminal convictions.
Born on January 8, 1967, on Chicago’s South Side, Kelly rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful R&B artists of all time.
His journey began in the Chicago public housing projects, where he developed his musical talents by performing in church choirs and busking at subway stations.
Kelly’s early life was intertwined with Chicago’s vibrant basketball culture, where he formed a significant friendship with Ben Wilson, the legendary high school basketball star.
During his youth, he played basketball with the late Ben Wilson — who remains one of the best high school basketball players in Chicago’s rich hoops history.
This connection proved deeply meaningful when tragedy struck. At Wilson’s funeral, R. Kelly (born Robert Kelly) sang “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” to honor the friend he bonded with over basketball, music, and more.
Kelly’s athletic abilities extended beyond high school recreation. Kelly played professional basketball in the United States Basketball League from 1997-1999 amidst his successful music career.
Kelly attended Kenwood Academy in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where music teacher Lena McLin recognized his vocal talent and encouraged him to perform in the school talent show.
However, Kelly’s academic journey was cut short when he dropped out after one year due to struggles with dyslexia.
He channeled his energy into music, performing in Chicago’s subway system and eventually forming the group Public Announcement, which launched his professional recording career.
After R. Kelly’s Fall, His Kids Are Rewriting Their Stories on Their Own Terms
R. Kelly shares three children with his ex-wife Andrea Lee (formerly known as Drea Kelly): Joann Kelly, Jay Kelly, and Robert Kelly Jr.
Each child has navigated the complex reality of being born into fame while dealing with the public downfall of their father following his convictions on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Joann Kelly (Buku Abi) – The Eldest Daughter
Joann Kelly, born in 1998, stands as the eldest of R. Kelly’s children and has pursued her own musical path under the stage name Buku Abi.
Now 26 years old, Joann has been the most vocal among the siblings regarding her father’s crimes and their impact on the family.
In the documentary “R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey,” which premiered in October 2024, Joann made devastating allegations against her father, claiming he sexually abused her as a child.
The documentary reveals the profound emotional toll these experiences took on Joann’s life.
She describes how the revelation changed everything for her family, stating that after she told her mother about the abuse, none of the children continued visiting their father.
Joann has been particularly protective of her own son, firmly declaring that she will never take him to prison to meet his grandfather.
Her approach to motherhood reflects her commitment to breaking cycles of harm, as she promises to be truthful with her son about his grandfather’s actions while protecting him from direct exposure.
Musically, Joann has collaborated with her sibling Jay on tracks like “Focus,” released in October 2019.
Jay Kelly (JaahBaby) – The Middle Child’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Jay Kelly, born in 2000 as Jaya Kelly, represents a powerful story of self-discovery and identity.
Originally raised as a girl, Jay identified as masculine from an early age, telling Paper Magazine that he felt like a boy as early as age 6 or 7.
His journey toward living authentically involved wearing men’s clothing to school and eventually coming out as transgender to his mother at age 10.
In June 2014, Jay publicly came out as transgender through a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking his mother and sister for their unwavering support.
However, his journey of self-discovery continued to evolve.
By 2018, at age 18, Jay had transitioned back to identifying as a lesbian, describing herself as nonbinary and gender fluid.
Jay now identifies as a lesbian while maintaining fluidity in gender expression, emphasizing that labels matter less than living authentically.
Jay has inherited musical talent and creates music under the alias JaahBaby.
Self-taught in multiple instruments including clarinet, trumpet, and piano, Jay learned to play piano through YouTube tutorials and creates beats independently.
Her mother, Andrea, notes that Jay possesses the same natural ability to create and produce music by ear that characterizes R. Kelly’s musical gifts.
Jay’s music focuses on inspiring others to live authentically, encouraging listeners to pursue their desires without fear of judgment.
The relationship between Jay and R. Kelly remains complicated. While R. Kelly stated in a 2014 interview that he would support his child “no matter what they are or who they are,” the actual relationship has been strained.
Jay has worked on a song addressing their father but has yet to release it, citing technical difficulties and personal challenges related to being R. Kelly’s child.
Robert Kelly Jr. – The Youngest Son’s Quiet Presence
Robert Kelly Jr., born in December 2002, arrived during one of the most stressful periods in the family’s life.
His mother, Andrea Lee, revealed that the stress from R. Kelly’s legal troubles and the abuse she was experiencing nearly resulted in a miscarriage.
Doctors struggled to find Robert Jr.’s heartbeat during pregnancy, and Andrea had to be rushed to the emergency room for an emergency induction.
Despite these challenges, Robert Jr. was born healthy and strong.
Now in his early twenties, Robert Jr. maintains the lowest public profile among the three siblings.
Like his siblings, he has no contact with his father and refers to him as “Robert Sr.” rather than “dad.”
This emotional distance reflects the complete breakdown of R. Kelly’s relationship with all his children following the revelations about his criminal behavior.
Robert Jr. has shown musical interest, appearing in a 2017 school music video where he demonstrated rapping skills.
The video, created by students at Griffin Middle School, promoted academic excellence, and Robert Jr. delivered a verse about studying and achieving good grades.
His mother proudly shared the video on social media, praising his positive message and academic focus.
The youngest Kelly child has largely avoided social media, shutting down his Instagram account in 2018 and preferring to maintain privacy.
He appears occasionally in family photos on his mother’s social media accounts but otherwise keeps a low profile, focusing on his education and personal development away from public scrutiny.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- R. Kelly was shot in the shoulder at age 13.
- He was sexually abused by multiple people during childhood.
- He described having a childhood girlfriend named Lulu who drowned.
