Few products of popular culture have sparked as much fascination,confusion, and uproarious laughter as R. Kelly’s Trapped In the Closet series. Since the 12-chapter DVD’s 2005 release, there’ve been alot of rumors and speculation about Kelly’s plans to release more chapters,mostly due to the cliffhanger ending ("I’msorry, girl, but that [Don Imus’ favorite word] was me…") and to the R’s general reputation for pushing the envelope.
But the real question was not really if he would make more chapters, but rather how many. 10? 20? 100? There was really no telling what the man wascapable of. In a recent BBC interview with Ronnie Herel, Kelz revealed that hehas about 38 chapters in the bag, but he suggested that he often works "throughthe night" writing more and more. He also explained how he has to use chartsto keep track of the crazy characters and whirlwind plot — "There’s a whole Trapped In the Closet small corporationgoing on!" Does the SEC know about this?
Now, Billboard hasconfirmed that Jive will release ten new installments of the saga on August 21. Cable’s Independent Film Channel will also broadcast the first 12 chapters beforethe release and stream all 22 installments on its website. According to thereport, we can expect some bizarre characters and plot twists:
The new round of "Trapped"videos finds Kelly portraying an old man named Randolph, complete with a potbelly and a fake white beard that nearly falls off mid-scene, as well as apreacher in a gray Jheri-curl wig and garish orange suit. In one of the finalchapters, Kelly’s Sylvester character talks business with a Sopranos-esquemobster who is eating a giant plate of spaghetti.
Will the old man have a heart attack when he sees themidget? Will Rufus snag a string of spaghetti and find himself in a liplock a la Lady and the Tramp? I’ll be honest, PopWatchers: I’ve been feelingsort of left out of all of the Pottermania that’s dominated the past few weeks,but now I have something to get excitedabout — Trapped In the Closet is my Deathly Hallows. All the wizardry ofRowling, but with less predictable endings. (What can I say? "Real Talk,"just like Kelz taught me…) I’ve always been impressed by Kelly’s musical rangeand ability to shape-shift from Bacchanalian sex god to repentant prophet overthe course of a few songs, but its his ability to weave the plight of modernman into larger-than-life characters and absurdist plots that points to adeeper, more literary genius. As Monteverdi is to opera, R. Kelly is tohip-hopera. I don’t think anyone would deny that.
Bonus Material Ifyou can’t wait to see Chapters 13-22, you can bide your time by checking out"Same Girl," another evolving R. Kelly production that has been turning intoa saga of its own. On the original track, Kelz and Usher find out that they’veboth been seeing the same girl. Good concept, but pretty pedestrian by both oftheir standards. In the subsequent music video (below), we discover a shocking twist:the "girl" is really girls — twins!(Following the lyrics logically, this means that the girls not only look alikebut also have the same house, job, and underwear, which is both unlikely andunhygienic. But the R never let logic get in the way of a good yarn.) Mostrecently, T-Pain has entered the fray on the "Same Girl (Remix)" with anothermind-boggling revelation — the girl is his wife! (Apparently the twins idea wasscrapped.) I have a feeling this one is not over. In fact, my cubicle-mateBethonie Butler just revealed to me that she isthe girl!? Like the R has said, no one’s closet is safe…
In closing, I leave you with one question, PopWatchers: IsR. Kelly the modern-day Homer, or is he the modern-day Shakespeare? Let thedebate begin.
Comments (1-16) of 16
My first reaction was “Noooooooo!!!”, but you know, almost two years later, I still have no idea whether R. Kelly is kidding or not with his “Trapped in the Closet.” I mean, it’s SO out there, that he HAS to be kidding, right? But he plays it so frighteningly straight, and I’m just not sure that he’s that good of an actor to be so convincing in those
I have to admit, I caught the first five chapters of the saga on BET one night and was hooked by it’s “so bad it’s good”-ness. Maybe “good” isn’t the right word, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
The ridiculousness of those first five chapters was only surpassed by his live performance (at the VMAs I think) where he performed all the parts (including the female parts) himself. Just awful(ly captivating?!)
Finally! Despite R Kelly’s legal issues and personal problems, he is an awesome entertainer. As for whether he realizes just how terribly funny most of his songs are, not just “Trapped in the Closet”, I’d rather not know. He sings “Feelin’ on yo’ booty” with such earnestness…and then giggles at the very end. So sometimes I think he kinda knows what’s up. But, after watching the Director’s Cut of “Trapped,” I think he could also just be a total idiot. I’m sure lots of people said the same for Shakespeare.
I now know that Mr. Kelly has lost his mind.
I can’t wait to see how off the rocker these new installments of Trapped In the Cloest are. I remember when I first heard “Trapped…” part 1 on the “Sex In The Kitchen” cd single, and called my friend up and was like OMG, you gotta hear this ridiculousness Kelz is trying! I mean this was literally the week of the single’s release, long before anyone caught onto the soap opera! I have a feeling the new 10 new installments with come with a bonus audio cd, featuring the new chapters as well as the T-Pain remix of “Same Girl”. I mena it makes sense, since The R. never has a drought of new tracks flooding the marketplace, and also since Kelly’s “Double Up” album has many more single releases ahead since “Same Girl” has not become a pop hit, and hasn’t reached the summit of the Billboard Hip-Hop & R&B chart either. The T-Pain remix is fun, and will probably provide kelz with the additional airplay to get the song to the top of the Urban charts at the very least, but NOT a pop hit.
Speaking of Harry Potter and Trapped in the Closet (what? You were!), here’s the Harry Potter version of Trapped in the Closet: http://www.allthehitsq100.com/bertshow/bertfeature.asp?id=5846
As awfully bad as they are, those videos are SO entertaining it’s sad. You just literally cannot stop watching.
What do you mean “Don Imus’s favorite word?”
He said nappy headed ho. he DID NOT say the “N” word.
You should change it fast before he sues you, lol.
IFC is airing this crap? Is it supposed to be High Art? I just remember laughing hysterically at the last installment. I guess that’s about as poignant as the R&B world will ever get.
I have a theory about Trapped — it’s being made because Kelly can’t get a role in a “REAL” movie. This crap isn’t for sale is it? He’s giving it away; right?
That explains it.
I think that R Kelly is a tremendous talent. Yeah, he’s more than a little wierd, and I won’t be watching any more of the Trapped in the closet series, but he is talented. I hope Mariah does a duet with him one day. Hey, the Queen of R&B with the king of R&B, why not?
Oh, and if this is on anyone’s album, I’m putting my $$$ on Clay Gayken’s, er, Aiken’s.
i saw the clip on his show, and anderson was referring to the fact that he and erica hill are good friends, but she is happily married. he brought it up it the 1st place by saying “isn’t your husband worried about us having some kind of affair?”, to which she responded no….i know my AC 360…do not get it twisted..
Just like most true artists R. Kelly is weird & needs help.
I havnt bought any of his CD since his ‘troubles’ because I just Cant support that. Say what you want, utter your slurs, BUT actually DOING that on tape? nope.
However, He’s a real talent. Hes creative, he’s imaginative, and I dont think anyone on the music scene can compare to the consistency hes achieved in the last 15 years or so. He is the modern day Prince in many ways.
R Kelly is extremly talented, creative and a musical genius. TITC is just another side of his creativity. Hey…….its all entertainment.
Man R. Kelly will do anything to keep the heat off him about his trial and keep people talking about his music. I read about this earlier today on globalgrind.com, and it’s funny how his announcement coincides with a trial date being set. There may be a fine line between genius and insanity, but his timing in this situation proves R. Kelly is crazy like a fox.
-D.T.
I REALLY LIKE ALL OF YOUR MUSIC I’VE BEEN A FAN 4 YEARS I THINK U ARE A VERY TALENT MAN I LOVE U AND YOUR WORK KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND LET GOD TAKE CARE OF THE REST HE WILL SEE U THROUGHALL OF YOUR TROUBLES
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