R. Kelly’s mind-boggling "Trapped in the Closet" saga conquered yet another medium last night, when downtown New York City’s IFC Center theater hosted a premiere for Chapters 13-22. Such a formal celebration—complete with a flood-lit red carpet, though I didn’t spot a single celeb walking said carpet—was precisely what a monumental pop-culture achievement like "Trapped" deserves. And taking in all the shocking twists and turns of these latest chapters all at once, in a darkened room full of other devotees, was an experience I’ll not soon forget. (I won’t spoil anything—you can see the new chapters yourself at IFC.com, where they’re being rolled out daily—but suffice it to say that Sylvester, Twan, nosy neighbor Rosie, and the rest of the cast travel to some strange, fantastic, borderline-offensive new places.)
But the real highlight was the brief yet spellbinding speech that Kells himself (pictured) delivered in person before the theater’s lights went down. "Hello, New York," he opened, to rapturous applause. "I’d like to welcome me here." Finally, a chance to glimpse inside his one-of-a-kind mind! All our lingering questions, answered at last!
… Or not. "I have no idea of how to explain ‘Trapped in the Closet,’" the R. continued. "I can explain all my other songs, but this is an alien to me. The reason I say that is that it’s something that has never happened — can’t nobody explain it, including me."
Still, he did offer some tantalizing hints as to the hidden workingsof his creative process. "If I don’t rhyme, I can’t tell the story. Soit’s crazy, if you understand what I’m saying. Like ‘Bridget’ and ‘midget’? I came up with that at Panera Bread — realtalk. And I had spent a whole week on trying to figure out how thehell — I mean, I got ‘midget,’ but how can I continue telling the story?But once I came up with, he had a girl named Bridget, I was able tocontinue on with my story. And that’s how ‘Trapped in the Closet’ goes."
Indeed. Before letting us feast on his latest sumptuous offering,the "Sex in the Kitchen" chef turned reflective. "I’d like tothank… everybody for supporting me. ‘Cause when I first did the firstchapter, people was looking at me like I was crazy. You know, like theman that came up with the airplane. They was looking like, ‘What? Itgot wings? What?!’" And there you have it: R. Kelly,21st-century Wright Brother. I can’t imagine a more fitting summationof the man’s talent.
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Ummmm…what? This guy could give Lloyd Christmas a run for his money.
As someone who spends her day researching and talking to visitors about the Wright brothers at an historical park, I find that statement utterly ridiculous and awesome in its complete wackness. But somehow I don’t think many of my co-workers would feel the same…
walks that fine line between genius and crazy. and we walk it with him.
this is the kind of hard-hitting, incisive journalism we in the music community have come to expect and cherish from EW
You know what they say…some of the greatest ideas in American history have been conceived at Panera Bread…if i’m not mistaken, that’s where Edison came up with the idea for the lightbulb.
Nah, Ceballos, Edison was in Einstein Bagels when he came up with the lightbulb.
“Einstein’s”…nice! I also think it’s hilarious that he had a red carpet premiere…with no stars. I mean, were the actors who appear in the chapters there. If so, when they were asked a question, did Kells provide the voice for their responses?
Camp classic no Caruso’s broadway premire i smell bad acting/singing
I was afraid this would happen. Most people who enjoy “Trapped in the Closet” seem to be laughing AT it. Leave it to a megalomaniac like R. Kelly to think all the hype means he’s some kind of genius.
My favorite part is how he was able to continue with his masterpiece once he found something to rhyme with “midget.”
gkla: “this is the kind of hard-hitting, incisive journalism we in the music community have come to expect and cherish from EW” Popwatch is a BLOG. We’re hear for fun. Why are you here? And Kells is endlessly entertaining. More, please!
Two of my friends attended this event last night out of their never-dying love for Kells. In fact, one of those friends has another friend from Austin who hosts a Trapped in the Closet sing along, so I think some people may not be laughing AT it, per se.
I find it funny that R. Kelly thinks he’s some kind of music savey for coming up with this. Everyone that I know that actually likes the chapters and want to see more just think their so crazy and outlandish that you just can’t help but want to see more. Please, R. Kelly, don’t get ahead of yourself, were still like what, why is he doing this and were probably always will unitl you stop doing this.
I LIKE IT!!! IT’S FUNNY, INTRIGUING, MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT KELLS WILL COME UP WITH NEXT!! IT’S A PICK-ME-UP WHEN WORKING TWO JOBS GETTING TIRED AND NEED A PICK-ME-UP INSTEAD OF PILLS OR COFFEE.. IT’S FUNNY!! GO KELLS!
first of all i just want to say that r.kells is a mastermind i love his music and he is a all around genius the saga was a master peice
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tat movie was the bomb!i cant wait till they make the next movie.also twan is so fuckin sexy!
tat movie was the bomb!i cant wait till they make the next movie.also twan is so fuckin sexy!
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