Black Panties
by R. Kelly
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 10, 2013
User Score
4.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 16 out of 30
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  1. Lambo442
    Jan 7, 2014
    1
    Hard to believe this album was made by the same artist that made an album like Love Letter. It's just so lowest common denominator. R Kelly really lets himself down. I think he's one of the greatest R&B artists of all time so it's a shame to hear him just banging on about much he loves pus!y. Yeah we get it dude, you're horny. The whole album is just so demeaning to women. For someone whoHard to believe this album was made by the same artist that made an album like Love Letter. It's just so lowest common denominator. R Kelly really lets himself down. I think he's one of the greatest R&B artists of all time so it's a shame to hear him just banging on about much he loves pus!y. Yeah we get it dude, you're horny. The whole album is just so demeaning to women. For someone who apparently loves them so much he really doesn't big them up in the way he should. Let's hope he does better next time. I gave it a 1 because his singing is still great.… Expand
  2. MusicDiva
    Jan 21, 2014
    1
    There's one or two ok tracks, but in general the content is pretty immature for a man of R Kelly's age. Come on R, I've always been a big fan, but unlike other albums, almost every song is OTT explicit. Please! This only inspires me to think 'grow up'! I'll definitely preview future albums for substance before buying.
  3. geedup
    Dec 10, 2013
    2
    R Kelly has always sang about the same subject-sex. I get that. But this pile of steaming poop of a CD is lyrically worthless and does not say much about R Kelly's development-sort of speak. I couldn't even stomach to listen to the entirety of most songs. But, his voice is still very good and unwavering as any other time.
  4. AKreviewer
    Dec 10, 2013
    3
    This latest R. Kelly project has shown how age and money can corrupt even a singer with a solid amount of potential and a crooning voice. There is a lot of sex: sex, more sex, and even more sex. The album almost relies to heavy on this subject matter and it is corrupted because of this. R. Kelly, if anything can save him, needs to find new ground in something of some form.
  5. truesoldier
    Dec 10, 2013
    2
    I'm a huge fan of R. Kelly, but not a fan of this album. I felt that he has downgraded skills, and talent to follow what's going on the in the music industry. Black Panties is not an upgrade to 12play. 12 play is a classic. On the other hand, Black Panties is trashy and ratchet. R.Kelly is has a power voice, so I don't understand the purpose of him using auto-tune. The lyrics on thisI'm a huge fan of R. Kelly, but not a fan of this album. I felt that he has downgraded skills, and talent to follow what's going on the in the music industry. Black Panties is not an upgrade to 12play. 12 play is a classic. On the other hand, Black Panties is trashy and ratchet. R.Kelly is has a power voice, so I don't understand the purpose of him using auto-tune. The lyrics on this album sounds like a teenager wrote it. I would rather listen to the mature, and smooth R.Kelly. The R.Kelly that created a masterpiece albums like Love Letter and Write me Back. Hopefully on the next album, he'll stay true to himself by making real R&B songs.… Expand
  6. Filip97
    Dec 11, 2015
    3
    It's almost tragical. A talented guy like R. Kelly, the guy who actually can make great R&B/Soul albums seems very uninspired nowadays. Genius and Legs Shakin' (despite the comical lyrics) sounds fresh and sweet without sounding too plastic and Shut Up sounds like an honest protest song against his haters with some impressive non compressed vocals but that's basically the only enjoyableIt's almost tragical. A talented guy like R. Kelly, the guy who actually can make great R&B/Soul albums seems very uninspired nowadays. Genius and Legs Shakin' (despite the comical lyrics) sounds fresh and sweet without sounding too plastic and Shut Up sounds like an honest protest song against his haters with some impressive non compressed vocals but that's basically the only enjoyable things on this one. There are several songs who just gives you no stimulation at all, neither good or bad will say. Some just gives you bad shivers down your spine because the comical lyrics and his extremely serious voice just make me feel embarrassed.
    R. Kelly is at his best when he's inspired and get to work with natural sounding instruments. Unfortunately, Kelly abandons his originality and his overall integrity just to try to stay relevant. The truth is that he doesn't need to conform to ridiculous trends with no soul, he could if he had the courage make most modern R&B artist look crappy. The fact that he doesn't makes me sad. This is without doubt his weakest album.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. PopMatters
    Feb 12, 2014
    60
    Solid, but inconsequential.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    Jan 28, 2014
    60
    Creatively there are signs he's struggling to keep it up. [Feb 2014, p.114]
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 9, 2014
    40
    Despite its positives, the album falls far short of the impressive musical peaks of Kelly’s discography.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »