10 Stupid Questions

KELLY'S HEROES

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By Matt Diehl

R. Kelly may be infamous for salacious seduction jams like ''Down Low,'' but after women, the self-proclaimed King of R&B's greatest passion is...basketball. No surprise, then, that Kelly, 29, jumped at the chance when his idol, Michael Jordan, asked him to pitch in on the Space Jam soundtrack. The result: the slam-dunk hit ''I Believe I Can Fly.'' ''I prayed over the project!'' exclaims the bald-headed lover man from Chi-town. ''The movie's very big and very positive, and that's where I want to go. The rest is history.'' -- Matt Diehl

1. So what does R. Kelly have in common with Bugs Bunny?

I'm adventurous, I love to have fun, and I'm not afraid to jump where no man has jumped before. I'm silly like that -- I'm just silly. And I love carrots.

2. How about Michael Jordan?

My game is kind of similar to his [laughs]. I love basketball like Michael -- you can definitely say that! I may not dunk like he does, but I have a love for the game. And I love my moms.

3. Have you and Michael ever gone one-on-one?

Not one-on-one, but we've played together quite a few times at the athletic club. It was inspiring to play with him, to see that he's approachable, real down-to-earth. The game was to 32 -- I scored 6 points. Pretty good when you're going against the man!

4. Do you and Michael get your heads shaved at the same place?

No. I cut my own hair, and I think he cuts his. It's easy to cut a bald fade.

5. Why didn't you get Jordan to bust a move on the mic?

He'd never do that. He's a shower singer, that's what I've heard him say. It would really take some work to get him to sing in public, I believe.

6. Are you the Tazmanian Devil or Roadrunner on the court?

Both. Sometimes I get in my wild mood and get like Taz -- hackin' and doin' what I got to do to win. But if the people playing against us are slow, I like to run like the Roadrunner.

7. What female cartoon character would you like to get ''on the down low'' with?

I'd put just a touch of tan on Jessica Rabbit. She's smooth and pretty, but I'd get rid of the cigarette.

8. Do you really believe you can fly?

Absolutely -- there's no way I could've written that song without believing it. I've always wanted to write a song for kids, to let them know they can do anything they want to. My inspiration when I was little was George Benson's ''The Greatest Love of All.'' I've always wanted to do a song like that.

9. This is a really stupid question, but what's your favorite basketball team?

The Bulls -- they've got a lot of heart. I predict another NBA championship. And I also predict I'm gonna get some free box tickets. Please let Michael read this!

10. Finally, have you ever eaten rabbit?

Never. I couldn't do Bugs like that, man. If he ever heard I ate rabbit

Posted Nov 15, 1996 | Published in issue #353 Nov 15, 1996 | Order Article Reprints