Okay, let me start by saying this commentary is not meant to HATE on R. Kelly.
Okay, I said it! Now let me continue.
On December 3, 2005 R. Kelly performed the "National Anthem" before the Bernard Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor middleweight championship fight. When R. Kelly's name was announced to the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and the national television audience, I started anticipating one of the memorable National Anthem performance in history. Just thinking back to the list of African American music icons that have given outstanding performances made me excited.
In 1983 there was the great Marvin "What's Going On" Gaye. In 1991, during Super Bowl 25, there was Whitney "at the top of her game" Houston. These memorable renditions have been honored by the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Although Marvin and Whitney put their own signatures on the song, the listener never questioned whether if their renditions were respectful. In fact, Marvin and Whitney's renditions has become more memorable than the actual sporting event that took place.
Now we have R. Kelly. In his pursuit of being a transetter, he turned the National Anthem into a "Steppin" exhibition. I was okay with the singing, but when the "R" had four individuals in the middle of the boxing ring "steppin", I think he went to far. In a time when our troops are fighting overseas and thousands of people being displaced because of Hurricane Katrina, the National Anthem has become extremely important.
The conversation about R. Kelly's rendition continued during the fight (and most the conversation was negative). The topics ranged from R. Kelly's past and current criminal allegations to African Americans forgiveness of musical stars. But the one thing we all seemed to agree on, R. Kelly could have left the "steppin" at home.
Check it out for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WgZaWuKsnw&search=Robert%20Kelly%20National%20Anthem
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