A viral video has stirred a wave of online reactions after reportedly showing R&B artist R. Kelly singing “Happy Birthday” to a woman over the phone from prison. Shared on April 25 via X (formerly Twitter), the clip features the woman on speakerphone, seemingly serenaded by Kelly’s voice, sparking disbelief and mixed emotions from viewers.
— media archive (@omgmediaarchive) April 24, 2025
Currently serving a 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering, the 58-year-old singer has remained musically active during his incarceration at FCI Butner Medium I in North Carolina. In January, Kelly appeared on the Inmate Tea with A&P podcast, where he claimed to have written 25 new albums in prison and sang parts of his older hits.
Despite his legal status, the video reignited interest in Kelly’s talent, with some users expressing astonishment and nostalgia, while others criticized the attention he continues to receive. “Y’all got to be kidding me,” one X user exclaimed in disbelief. Others questioned how Kelly still has the platform to connect with fans, even jokingly asking how much it would cost for a prison performance.
The renewed attention has also revived previous misinformation. A viral hoax in early April 2025 claimed he had been pardoned by former President Trump. The claim was swiftly debunked by a White House spokesperson and confirmed false by Check Your Fact.
In 2024, Kelly contributed vocals to Chris Brown’s track “Residuals,” which was verified as genuine and not AI-generated. His longtime collaborator Rodney East confirmed the remix’s authenticity via Instagram.
Kelly’s appeal for early release was denied last month, per Reuters, and he remains committed to creating music while serving concurrent 30- and 20-year sentences. Despite speculation and occasional misinformation, there is no indication of an early release.
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