Maps of Music

Untitled (2009)

Where the lyrics of Untitled take you, and where it was really made.

This album was first planned as 12 Play: 4th Quarter, but that version leaked, so the whole project was re-recorded.

Key places

Recording at Trod Nossel Studios (2009)

Recording site Trod Nossel Studios — The album is linked to Trod Nossel Studios in Wallingford, where it was recorded. The marker shows the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Untitled, the ninth studio album by American R&B recording artist R. Kelly
• Originally titled 12 Play: 4th Quarter
• Released in the UK on 30 November 2009
• Released in the US by Jive Records on 1 December 2009
• Entirely produced by R. Kelly and a team of younger producers

Background

• In 2008 the album was first planned under the name 12 Play: 4th Quarter
• That version leaked before release
• The whole project was then decided to be re-recorded
• The earlier title is still referenced in several songs on the album
• Supaman High featuring OJ da Juiceman was meant to be the lead single, but a label and artist dispute turned it into a promotional single

Recording

• The recording is linked to Trod Nossel Studios in Wallingford
• The project was re-recorded in full after the earlier version leaked

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Robert Sylvester Kelly on January 8, 1967, on Chicago's South Side, Illinois.
• Began performing in the subway under Chicago "L" tracks, busking at the Jackson station on the Red Line.
• Joined the group MGM (Musically Gifted Men) formed in 1989, which won a $100,000 prize on the TV show Big Break in 1991 before disbanding.

Career

• Signed with Jive Records in 1991; debut Born into the 90's (1992, with Public Announcement) yielded hits including "She's Got That Vibe".
• Solo album 12 Play (1993) produced the number-one hit "Bump N' Grind", which spent a record 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
• "I Believe I Can Fly" (1996) won three Grammy Awards in 1998.
• Wrote and produced "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100.
• Sold over 75 million records worldwide; Billboard ranked him the 9th greatest R&B artist of all time.
• Convicted in 2021 and 2022 on child sex offences and sentenced to a combined 31 years; his career ended after these convictions.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Metacritic: average score 62 from 15 reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews
• Allmusic: Andy Kellman gave three and a half out of five stars, calling it a simple, concept-free, creatively unambitious R&B album
• Spin: Mikael Wood complimented the album's fresh raunch, noting the tracks Bangin the Headboard and Pregnant are bawdy even by Kelly's standards
• The Daily Telegraph: Tom Horan praised Kelly's unwavering focus
• The A.V. Club: Nathan Rabin gave a C+ and said the album feels generic
• The Village Voice: Drew Hinshaw found the album lacking larger themes and called it tragic to see a master of R&B finesse fall back onto a childish, domineering bent
• Chicago Tribune: Greg Kot wrote that Kelly's phrasing is pliant, inventive and audacious, and praised the meticulous production detail
• The New York Times: Jon Pareles found the album routine for Kelly

Records

• Debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, selling 110,000 copies in its first week
• Kelly's ninth top five album on the chart
• Reached the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
• Lead single Number One featuring Keri Hilson peaked at 59 on the Hot 100 and 7 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Religious and Echo peaked at 48 and 52 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The title 12 Play: 4th Quarter is still referenced in several songs on the album.
• Supaman High featuring OJ da Juiceman was planned as the lead single, but a dispute changed it into a promotional single.
• Number One featuring Keri Hilson was released on 28 July 2009 as the album's lead single.
• The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2011, after its release.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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