During a recent visit back to his hometown of Chicago, R.Kelly performed at the city’s benefit concert and then took the time to pay it forward to one of his high school teachers whom he says was the driving force behind his in music career. Kelly sat down with the Chicago Sun-Times and revealed just how and why helped his former music teacher save her home.
Hit the jump for more.
Lena McLin was R.Kelly’s music teacher and mentor at Kenwood Academy. The 87-year-old has been struggling for the past 36 years to keep her apartment, upon hearing the sad news Kelly set up a GoFundMe campaign in her honor, which allowed her to buy her condo. Kelly felt compelled to help McLin who says, he owes for everything she did for him and being an inspiration to start pursue a career in music.
He siad, “On the first day I met her, Ms. McLin told me, ‘You’re going to be one of the greatest singers, songwriters and performers of all time. She taught me opera, classical music, jazz, gospel. She said, ‘You are music. You’re not in any one category. Anything you attempt, you’ll be able to tap into the spirit of it, and that’s the gift you have.’ She made me.”
Watch the full interview below.
Source Vibe
