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Jermaine Dupri is sparking debate over how R. Kelly is treated in conversations about R&B greatness.
After Rolling Stone released its 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century list, Dupri took to social media to share his thoughts. While joking that if he and longtime collaborator Bryan-Michael Cox had more than two records in the top five “it wouldn’t even be fair,” the producer quickly pivoted to a bigger question.
Dupri referenced the recent backlash faced by Teddy Riley after Riley suggested he would consider working with R. Kelly — a statement that drew heavy criticism and led Riley to walk it back. Dupri then pointed out that after he posted the Rolling Stone list, many commenters argued that you can’t have a legitimate R&B list without including R. Kelly’s contributions.
“I’m confused, can somebody help me?” Dupri wrote, questioning whether R. Kelly is effectively “banned” from all-time R&B rankings despite his undeniable impact on the genre.
The conversation once again highlights the ongoing cultural debate over separating an artist’s musical legacy from their personal controversies — and whether history can, or should, be rewritten.
Jermaine Dupri wants to know if R Kelly is banned or not from every all time R&B lists after seeing Rolling Stone 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21 Century:
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) March 2, 2026
“Rolling Stone dropped this list and let me just say,If Bryan-Michael Cox and myself had more than two records in the top… pic.twitter.com/vIx8tzjIzD
