Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
32nd out of 50 books
—
32 voters
Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me
by
R. Kelly,
David Ritz
Who is R. Kelly? Three-time Grammy winner, who has sold more than 35 million records worldwide. Legendary writer and producer, who collaborated with such music icons as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Jay-Z, and Aretha Franklin. Visionary cultural messenger, who created the hip hopera phenomenon Trapped in the Closet. Creative genius. Sex symbol. The man who puts the “R” in...more
Hardcover, 392 pages
Published
June 28th 2012
by SmileyBooks
(first published November 1st 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
200)
I Believe He Can Fly
“Even though I’ve had some struggles and downfalls in my music and in my life, I’m still standing – strong, confident and feeling good about life and love. I have no regrets whatsoever simply because whatever I’ve gone through has made me the man and artist I am today.” – R. Kelly
I love me some R. Kelly. Lord knows I do. I was very much looking forward to reading this once I heard about it. But I was scared at the same time. Been a huge fan of my boo, my homie, my lover, my f...more
“Even though I’ve had some struggles and downfalls in my music and in my life, I’m still standing – strong, confident and feeling good about life and love. I have no regrets whatsoever simply because whatever I’ve gone through has made me the man and artist I am today.” – R. Kelly
I love me some R. Kelly. Lord knows I do. I was very much looking forward to reading this once I heard about it. But I was scared at the same time. Been a huge fan of my boo, my homie, my lover, my f...more
Sep 15, 2012
Kimberly Hicks
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Kimberly by:
Amazon Kindle
Shelves:
read-on-kindle,
african-american-read
I have always felt a strong connection to R. Kelly, and I never quite understood why, but after having read his memoir, the answer has been revealed. Our artistry runs in the same form. It was so weird hearing how R gets songs to come out of him. Like R, I never chase a story or words, story and words automatically come to me, which is why he's been so successful all these years.
I learned a great many things about him, and I felt his sincerity and honesty shine through on the pages. For as gifte...more
I learned a great many things about him, and I felt his sincerity and honesty shine through on the pages. For as gifte...more
I must confess I am a huge R Kelly fan. I've seen him perform a couple times and will go to see his shows everytime they come my way. I was excited to read this book because I like his music so much and so I was looking forward to learning more about him.
At first I found it difficult to engage with the book because of the conversational tone - seemed like someone just transcribing R Kelly talking. However, I eventually found the story powerful enough that I ignored the writing. I was truly fasc...more
At first I found it difficult to engage with the book because of the conversational tone - seemed like someone just transcribing R Kelly talking. However, I eventually found the story powerful enough that I ignored the writing. I was truly fasc...more
To live in Chicago, you must have an appreciation for Robert Kelly ... and by appreciation, I mean you have to forgive his eccentricities, because he's your city brother, and he represents our great city state. The guy came from nothing, hustled the L's street performing, and achieved his dream. Yeah, he allegedly peed on a girl, but you know what? That's just R, and he was found innocent anyhow.
With the help of David Ritz, Kelly takes you on the Soulacoaster of his musical genius, and love aff...more
With the help of David Ritz, Kelly takes you on the Soulacoaster of his musical genius, and love aff...more
When I decided to read this, I went into this with an open mind. I think R. Kelly is a strange, yet intelligent musician. Was it masterful literature? No. But was it engaging and entertaining? More so than I expected. This book was unique and personal. I didn't expect that it would hold my attention as well as it did. In many ways, it felt as if I was having a conversation with R. Kelly. After reading it, I want than ever to actually sit down and chat with him. Do not underestimate R. Kelly. The...more
where do you even begin with a book like this? a long time ago, i read a news article about how kells was going to release this autobiography. right then, i knew i had to read it. why? BECAUSE IT IS CALLED SOULACOSTER!!!!! also, because i genuinely like the music of r.kelly and i find him to be a fascinating public figure.
much like any "autobiography" written by a celebrity, it's an exercise in patience reading it. i found the general conversational tone (obviously just transcripts of kells talk...more
much like any "autobiography" written by a celebrity, it's an exercise in patience reading it. i found the general conversational tone (obviously just transcripts of kells talk...more
This was so excruciating that I didn't make it very far in. I thought it would be like Trapped in the Closet, so terrible it was fantastic; but I was wrong, Soulacoaster was just terrible. I think I appreciate R. Kelly most when he is an abstract idea and not more than that.
The best part of this book was the discussion that was had at the book club meeting for which I attempted to read it. Still, I would give Trapped in the Closet 5 stars, if this was a movie review.
The best part of this book was the discussion that was had at the book club meeting for which I attempted to read it. Still, I would give Trapped in the Closet 5 stars, if this was a movie review.
Feb 01, 2013
emily
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of Kells, comdey, and/or r&b
Recommended to emily by:
Jenn Tsai
1) R. Kelly doesn't know how to read or write. It doesn't matter because he's an amazing storyteller and the man has a special way with words.
2) No, he doesn't mention, or even allude to, Aaliyah.
3) Yes, he tells his side of the drama with Jay-Z. As with many tales in the book, McDonald's makes an appearance.
4) Yes, he talks about the 7-year (!!!) trial. He maintains his innocence throughout and I believe him. Is there a video of him peeing on someone? Maybe. Is that someone an underage girl? I...more
2) No, he doesn't mention, or even allude to, Aaliyah.
3) Yes, he tells his side of the drama with Jay-Z. As with many tales in the book, McDonald's makes an appearance.
4) Yes, he talks about the 7-year (!!!) trial. He maintains his innocence throughout and I believe him. Is there a video of him peeing on someone? Maybe. Is that someone an underage girl? I...more
I was surprised to learn he can't read or write. I expected there to be at least a mention of Aaliyah (there wasn't)since he produced her first album.
Brilliant read. As outrageous and funny as I hoped it would be, but with the odd dark bit that I commend R Kelly for putting to paper. Couldn't put it down.
Man, if you're a Kells fan you're going to love this. If not why the hell are you looking at this? Go listen to Chocolate Factory or something.
This book really is like a rollercoaster. The highs are insane, the lows are boring and when you're done you feel like puking.
Wow. I can not even describe how much I loved this in depth look into the life of R. Kelly. I give it 10 stars. I simply loved it.
It's everything you'd expect, a visual and literary good time. Biggest downfall: no discussion of Aaliyah.
This was a good read.... Lets you into the real Robert Kelly! He's really a musical genius
The best book in the history of literature.
I would give this 10 out of 5 stars if I could. A beautifully hilarious read.
Read the full review at: http://readitallbookreviews.wordpress...
Not going to say it was horrible, but it could have been better. Majority of the book was full of pictures and huge font. There were a few things I learned about him, but not much. Things were stated but nothing was actually described in depth.
Aug 21, 2012
Scarlet
added it
R. Kelly is a hotter mess than i could have ever imagined. This book seems really long but there are A LOT of pictures
A disturbing and hilarious read about a musical genius.
The best part was when he referred to himself as "R. Belly" because he was getting fat.
An easy read. The truth is out R. Kelly really is trying to be funny.
Adore Kels! Happy to FINALLY read hos story from his own hand.
Disclaimer: Solid 3.75, and a good portion of that is due to the nostalgia I have surrounding R Kelly's music. The "writing" was okay, but it was the sincerity that got me, darnit! Left it impressed with what a prolific artist he is and touched by how genuine he comes across. In related news, I'll be first in line to see the new Trapped installments...
worth it for the lolz
Pretty good considering Kells is illiterate. He had help, of course. Learned lots of interesting stuff, such ass R. Kelly left the tour with Jay Z in St. Louis and went to a local McDonalds to work the drive thru for the night. Also, he used to perform as a stripper dressed as Darth Vader.
Not quite as goofy as I'd hoped, but engrossing nonetheless. I still have a lot of questions about this strange man, but I'm glad to have learned a little about his journey on the soulacoaster that is life.
We think we know celebrities from tv and movies but we really don't. The image we see is false, this gives a reality check.
I need a little break from post-apocalyptic heartbreak a.k.a. The Dog Stars
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American R&B singer-songwriter, arranger, performer and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play. He is known for a collection of major hit singles including "Bump n' Grind", "You...more
More about R. Kelly...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Oct 02, 2012 08:37am