Tyrese is no stranger to controversy, but his latest comments in Chicago have the internet in flames.

During a recent performance, the Grammy-nominated singer stopped mid-show to salute one of R&B’s most polarizing figures:

“I know the city I’m in. I’ma say it again. Feel whatever you want to feel, I got no fcks to give. The King of R&B is R. Kelly… Chi-town, baby.”*

The statement split the crowd down the middle. Some cheered in support, while others were visibly uncomfortable.

Tyrese’s declaration comes with heavy weight given where he made it—Chicago, the hometown of R. Kelly. Once celebrated for his massive catalogue of hits like “Bump N’ Grind” and “I Believe I Can Fly”, Kelly’s legacy collapsed after federal convictions in 2022 for sex trafficking and child exploitation.

While many still acknowledge Kelly’s influence on modern R&B, others argue that uplifting him minimizes the trauma of his victims.

By unapologetically crowning Kelly the “King of R&B,” Tyrese didn’t just show love—he reignited the long-standing debate over whether artistry can be separated from personal crimes. His blunt delivery—“I got no fcks to give”*—made it clear he knew backlash was coming, but stood firm on his stance.

Social media wasted no time weighing in, with some blasting Tyrese for being “tone-deaf” while others applauded his refusal to erase Kelly’s contributions to the genre.

One thing’s for sure: Tyrese just made himself part of one of R&B’s most heated conversations.