Black Panties
by R. Kelly
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 10, 2013
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
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  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. The Quietus
    Dec 9, 2013
    80
    Musically the album is on-point and lyrically it's prone to Kelly's customary laugh-out-loud clunkiness. Despite all that, though, Kelly has made another really great album.
  3. 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.
  5. Boston Globe
    Dec 10, 2013
    70
    The culture police might have hemorrhages listening to these uncensored tracks, but anyone with a sense of humor and an appreciation for smartly crafted mainstream R&B will appreciate the singer-songwriter’s return to his wild ways.
  6. 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.
  7. Pitchfork
    Dec 10, 2013
    68
    What we get is a pretty good modern R&B album, but it’s also one that feels just a bit fossilized.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Dec 10, 2013
    67
    Regardless of the reason, it’s safe to say that Kelly is fighting all sorts of social norms on Black Panties, from sex talk to issues of race and economics. The way he’s going about the issues might be a little bit clunky, to say the least, but it’s admirable that he’s even tackling them.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Dec 10, 2013
    63
    So-so cuts like "Right Back" and "All the Way," a meandering duet with Kelly Rowland, give the impression that the singer might've padded the album in his determination to get it out in time to capitalize on the renown he's established this year. But then he'll bust out a steamy slow jam as gorgeous--and as generous in spirit--as "Crazy Sex."

User Reviews

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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
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.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.… Full Review »
  3. 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,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.… Full Review »
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