R. Kelly is committed to being an active parent. The R&B singer recently released his thirteenth studio album called, The Buffet, that features the hit single ‘ Wanna Be There,’ which is about his relationship with his teenage daughter Ariiraye.
The artist tells media that the song centers around his once strained connection with the teen that came to a climatic point during a unplanned meetup at the mall. “It was very emotional for both of us,” says the star of the reunion and subsequent song. “At first, she was a little uncomfortable [about making the song], but I was telling her how she could touch the hearts of a lot of girls out there that haven’t seen their fathers. We can touch a lot of daughters and fathers, and mothers. ‘Cause [there’s] a lot of women that haven’t seen their fathers, a lot of fathers that haven’t been able to be around their kids like they want to be.”
R. Kelly has been known to be transparent in his songs and ‘Be There’ is no different. “I’m a writer,” explains the star. “Who has the balls to write a song about the father and daughter not seeing each other, not being with each other, and need to see each other, and need balance in they lives? Who can put that song together where the melody worked, the hook works and the lyrics connect? So that’s when I step in. I’ll write the song that other people want to say but just don’t know how to put the words together.”
R. Kelly is the proud father of three children. Listen to ‘Be There,’ featuring his daughter, below!
https://youtu.be/8sXUgqiJ2ew
