In "I can do anything I want since I've come out the closet" news, R. a.k.a. Kells a.k.a. the Pied Piper a.k.a. the King of R&B a.ka. Golden Shower Man has a new alias: Mr. Show Biz. That's right, no longer Trapped in the Closet, R. Kelly is putting another twist on his own identity.
Not only does he have a new name, Kelly plans to hit the road this spring under the name Mr. Show Biz, as part of the Light It Up Tour. Dates begin March 9 in Kansas City, Mo. Kelly will also be backed by a live band on the outing, the itinerary for which is not totally finalized. So far, shows are lined up through April 29 in Minneapolis.
Mr. Show Biz hasn't mounted a major U.S. outing since the premature collapse of his fall 2004 Best of Both Worlds tour with Jay-Z, resulting in multiple, as-yet-unresolved lawsuits. You know the tour, where Kelly walked off the stage at New York's Madison Square Garden claiming he'd seen two men in the audience brandishing guns. Later in the evening, he claims he was attacked with pepper spray backstage by members of Jay-Z's entourage.
You know the tour that caused Kells to file a $75 million lawsuit against the Jigga Man for compensatory and punitive damages. That tour. As to what adopting the nickname Mr. Show Biz means, his label reps said they weren't sure. Kelly hasn't told them yet.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on R. Kelly announcing a new tour and nickname: The follies which a man regrets most, in his life, are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. Let's see how this foolishness plays out.
Btw, if you checking for Kells, holla at him.
R. Kelly tour dates according to Jive Records:
· 3/9 - Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theater
· 3/10 - St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theater
· 3/11 - Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater
· 3/12 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Civic Center Music Hall
· 3/14 - Houston, TX @ Jesse Jones Hall
· 3/16 - Dallas, TX @ Nokia Theater
· 3/17 - Austin, TX @ Bass Hall
· 3/18 - Little Rock, AK @ Theater at Alltel Arena
· 3/20 - Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater
· 3/24 - Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center
· 3/25 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
· 3/26 - Jacksonville, FL @ Moran Theater
· 3/28 - Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
· 3/29 - Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
· 3/31 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
· 4/1 - Memphis, TN @ Cannon Center
· 4/3 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
· 4/7 - Boston, MA @ Wang Center
· 4/8 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
· 4/9 - Atlantic City @ House of Blues
· 4/12 - Newark, NJ @ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
· 4/18 - New York @ Radio City Music Hall
· 4/23 - Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theater
· 4/26 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theater
· 4/28 - Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Theater
· 4/29 - Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theater
PS, cut your hair before you go out on tour.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - R. Kelly Announces New Tour, New Nickname