Superstar artist and producer R.Kelly is ready to discuss the controversy surrounding the child pornographycharges for which he was acquitted in 2008.
He has teamed with biographerDavid Ritz and SmileyBooks to write and release his tell-all memoir in 2011.
The still untitled book willalso address the 42-year-old singer's childhood, loss of his mother, and rise tofame.
"I'm writing this book asRobert, not R. Kelly," the singer said in a statement. "I'm tired of beingmisunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open myheart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tellit like it is."
Kelly has sold 34 millionrecords worldwide and has written hits for Michael Jackson, Celine Dione, MaryJ. Blige, and Usher.
It is key that the book paintsan honest portrayal of the Chicago-bred singer said Tavis Smiley, SmileyBookspublisher and founder. "We're going to work with him to get the story out,"Smiley said.
Smiley wants Kelly's book to be equallyas forthcoming as Ritz' "Divided Soul: The Life Of Marin Gaye" and "BrotherRay: Ray Charles' Own Story." Ritz also co-authored Smiley's biography "What IKnow For Sure: My Story Growing Up In America."
"Marvin was able to work withDavid to tell the good, the bad and the ugly of Marvin's story," Smiley said."Ray had a lot of good, a lot of bad, and a whole lot ugly in his early[days]-babies, women, and drugs, but he told the truth. American people can handleanything but hypocrisy."
Kelly's book will deal with his dramas,however, the troubles will not be the entire focus. "If anyone thinks this bookis going to fixate on [R. Kelly's trials], they are going to be sadly mistaken.It is going to be a holistic look at his life thus far and the life and legacythat he's building."
Smiley, the personality behindthe "Tavis Smiley" PBStalk show and syndicated radio program, said his reputation as a community advocateis not compromised by working with the embattled artist.
Smiley considers R. Kelly anartistic genius and notes that he was found not guilty of the child pornographycharges.
"Everybody has a right to tellhis or her own story in their own words," Smiley said. "My assessment is peopleshould reserve judgment until they have a chance to read the story."
Kelly's "Untitled" album wasreleased on December 1.
SmileyBooks includes titles fromCornel West, Iyanla Vanzant, Jeff Johnson and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Smiley is hosting, AmericaI Am, a 15,000 square-foot traveling museum exhibition documenting theimpact African Americans have made to the world.