R. Kelly - Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 1-12 (2005)

Released on the eve of R. Kelly's court date, where he faced some serious charges and a very incriminating videotape, the first five chapters of the Closet Cycle confused, amazed, and delighted his fans. The entirety of the series, including all 12 chapters, is sure to have the same effect. Essentially an R&B soap opera, complete with the sets, lighting, convoluted plotlines, and scandalous secrets of daytime TV, TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET features its star and a cast of characters very literally acting out the actions the song describes. The plot involves numerous infidelities, a homosexual affair, a gun, and--as this is an R. Kelly piece of work--at least one steamy sex scene. The attention to detail is astounding, hilarious, and typical of Kelly, as he describes everything from the fear he experiences while hiding from his lover's husband, to the leg cramp he gets while having sex with his wife. Kelly's smooth vocals give voice to everything, even as the different characters mouth the lyrics. Though the project recalls the cheating themes of old blues songs, evokes the look of daytime drama, and contains the controlled raunchiness of vintage Kelly, it's safe to say that TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET represents a new direction in R&B, and is like nothing else audiences have ever seen before.