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I think R. Kelly's range is so vast and broad that in order to stimulate himself creatively as an artist, he has to step so, so far outside the box, or else he feels like he's not challenging himself.

R. Kelly is an image, a brand. That's my job. There's a whole other side of me that's Robert, who is a father, a friend. But then I put on the game face and go into the studio and do the music. That's just another day at the office.

I don't really listen to contemporary R&B with an ear for hearing my influence. Music is a spirit unto itself, and all of us musicians influence each other all along the chain.

I was never an R&B artist. People coined me one, but that's because, especially if you're in the States, if you're black and you sing, then you're R&B.

I will always do R. Kelly - I'm not perfect, but I'm perfectly me.

As far as R&B, I listen to a lot of old school like the Temptations and Chris Brown.

I have total respect for the self-contained rock artist. Whether you're dealing with Jerry Garcia or Lou Reed or Patti Smith or a Whitney or an Aretha, they know what they want with their career.

My music is a direct reflection of the eclectic person I am. I don't like to be stuck in an R&B box.

I pride myself on being the type of artist who can work half in the R&B world and half in the pop world.

My favourite singers are people like R. Kelly and people like that.