R. Kelly is set to release a twelfth studio album shortly entitles "4th Quarter". The album's lyrics however are already proving controversial as they provide fodder for the US media. Some culture commentators are questioning the artists choice of words with songs named "Screamer", "At the Same Time" and "Son of A Bitch" given that he has only recently been acquitted of child pornography charges. Each of the three songs mentioned contain detailed and graphic portrayals of wild sexual escapades with women. The sexually-charged lyrics have been viewed by some as insensitive to his recent flirt with the law.

"Hair Braider" is the album's first officially released single. It peaked in Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, earlier this year, at number 56. R. Kelly's press team are saying that the video for the second single "Skin" was a blast to produce, with good vibes on the set. The song which was written and produced by R. Kelly himself was released on Jive Records.

In recent weeks the infamous R&B singer has revealed his desire to perform live somewhere on the African continent. "I've got a few tours offers to go to Africa. My management is trying to put it all together and make it right," he told the press. He went on to say that it would be his wish to combine the tour with some charity events and organisations. "Not just go over there to tour... and really get into things, some humanity stuff. I don't know what that is yet but I want to make it more than just going over there and do a show," he added.

Barack Obama has criticised
"filthy rap" lyrics

The allegations relating to the singer were 21 counts of having sexual intercourse with a minor, which were later reduced to soliciting a minor for child pornography. The situation sparked a wider debate in the US media regarding hip-hop's predilection for sexually explicit lyrics and themes, as well sexism, misogyny, and violence towards females. The discussion was mainly hijacked by conservative right wing elements who failed to comprehend the concept of artistic licence with regard to the narratives of urban music. However there were many thoughtful, and intellectually valid critiques offered of hip-hop culture in this regard: these being devoid of racist attitudes and recognising more the socio-economic roots of violence and sexism. Even Barack Obama has criticised "filthy rap" lyrics saying that they reinforce racist attitudes in society. Why not leave the last word to one of hip-hops legends?

Russell Simmons however hit back at Obama's claim saying that ""My response to Sen. Obama is that you have to talk about the poverty and ignorance that creates such a climate that the poets can talk like that. People who are angry, uneducated and come from tremendous struggle, they have poetic license and they say things that offend you," Simmons told ABC News. "You have to talk about the conditions that create those kinds of lyrics. When you are talking about a privileged man who has a mainstream vehicle and mainstream support and is on a radio station like that you have to deal with them differently."

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