Tyrese is no stranger to controversy, but his latest remarks about R. Kelly have placed him squarely in the middle of another viral moment.

During a recent performance in Chicago, the Grammy-nominated singer and actor stopped mid-show to deliver a statement that quickly reverberated across social media. “I know the city I’m in. I’ma say it again. Feel whatever you want to feel, I got no f*cks to give. The King of R&B is R. Kelly… Chi-town, baby,” Tyrese told the audience.

Tyrese says the King of R&B is R. Kelly while performing in Chicago:

“Feel whatever you want to feel, I got no f**ks to give. The King of R&B is R. Kelly.”pic.twitter.com/8OtHULaKKI

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) September 4, 2025

The declaration sparked a mixed reaction, with some in the crowd cheering while others appeared unsettled. The honor acknowledges Kelly’s accolades while ignoring his allegations.

The weight of Tyrese’s comments is amplified by the city where he made them. Chicago has long claimed R. Kelly as a native son, even as his reputation collapsed in the wake of federal convictions in 2022 for sex trafficking and child exploitation. Despite his imprisonment, many in his hometown still view him as an architect of modern R&B.

Kelly’s musical influence is undeniable. Across the 1990s and 2000s, he redefined R&B with chart-topping singles like “Bump N’ Grind” and the Grammy-winning “I Believe I Can Fly.”