R. Kelly: I'm being the real me

R. Kelly says his new album Black Panties marks a return to the "old R. Kelly".

The 45-year-old R&B star is currently promoting his latest musical offering via his US Singles Ladies tour.

The controversial artist has a reputation as a ladies' man and insists this is the image his fans love the best.

"[I'm] not out to prove anything, but just be R. Kelly," he told the Los Angeles Times. "I look at my music the way Steven Spielberg as a director looks at movies. He's not going to do the same movie over. Black Panties is going back to the old R. Kelly thing because a lot of fans missed that. And I've missed it."

The singer says giving his audience what they want drives him. He is determined to offer them an insight into his true character through his music.

"I never wanted to just have a musical connection with my fans. I wanted to have a spiritual connection with them as well," he continued. "To have that, you have to be true to what you're doing."

During his 20-year career, R. Kelly has sold more than 38 million albums and had numerous number one singles.

He has also penned tracks for the likes of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.

The gifted musician revealed how his talent is both a blessing and a curse.

"My problem is not writing the songs. My problem is I hear so many songs at once," he said. "It's a beautiful disease, I'm glad I have it. But it can be overwhelming. And it can become a curse."