Black Panties
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Black Panties Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

User Score
4.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

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  • Summary: The R&B singer's 12th full-length studio release features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, and Young Jezzy.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 12, 2013
    85
    Feathers excluded, art abstracted from the man, Black Panties is one of the finest albums of the year.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Dec 6, 2013
    75
    His 12th album, a return to wafting sex jams after two soulful dance discs, also falls short of the Kelly we love.
  3. HipHopDX
    Dec 6, 2013
    70
    What it lacks in lyrical depth it makes up for by being a catchy, entertaining and completely in the moment snapshot of the current turned up, hybrid of R&B and Rap for clubs and bedrooms.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Dec 10, 2013
    60
    Kells' voice remains one of the most flexible and inventive instruments in pop, but, even for him, Panties veers too frustratingly between horny and corny.
  5. The New York Times
    Dec 9, 2013
    50
    Songs like "Cookie," "Crazy Sex" and "Legs Shakin'" start off as promises of highly skilled sexual attentions, but end up as to-do lists.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Dec 9, 2013
    50
    The onslaught of bawdy imagery eventually grows tedious, but there's something compelling about witnessing one man's psyche laid so completely bare, a crazed prophet whipped into a frenzy by the ecstasy of his own sin.
  7. Exclaim
    Dec 9, 2013
    40
    Ultimately, there isn't much to recommend with Black Panties.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 6 out of 9
  1. seantimothy
    Dec 10, 2013
    10
    R Kelly does it once again. Dope beats, dope lyrics, and it makes you want to have lots of heterosexual sex. Couldn't ask for more. ExceptR Kelly does it once again. Dope beats, dope lyrics, and it makes you want to have lots of heterosexual sex. Couldn't ask for more. Except maybe videos of R. Kelly at a bachlorette party or something. Yeah that.… Expand
  2. mchlkirk77
    Dec 16, 2013
    8
    As you can tell from my reviews, I only mostly feel inspired to review cd's I enjoy, rather than cd's I do not enjoy I am a gay man, butAs you can tell from my reviews, I only mostly feel inspired to review cd's I enjoy, rather than cd's I do not enjoy I am a gay man, but still, I can appreciate the blatant humor and sensuality in the lyrics and rhythms I mean "Marry the P***y" how fun is that! I think this is an overall sensual and fun cd and I like R Kelly in general, so I give this cd an 8.… Expand
  4. DennisR
    Dec 10, 2013
    6
    It's ok not very good not terrible. A few good songs, but doesn't live up to his previous records. I really loved his duet with Gaga on "DoIt's ok not very good not terrible. A few good songs, but doesn't live up to his previous records. I really loved his duet with Gaga on "Do What You Want" so this left me with full disappointment because none of these songs match that duet.… Expand
  5. 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. GeniusIt'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
  6. 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 sayR 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.… Expand
  7. 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 theI'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
  8. 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 KellyHard 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

See all 9 User Reviews

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