The US Department of Education estimates 32 million US adults lack basic literacy skills.  That’s an astonishing 14% of all American adults. One of R&B’s all-time most talented stands among that group.

Several years ago, R. Kelly publicly revealed  that he’s spent much of his life struggling with illiteracy.  Recognized as one of the premier songwriters of our generation, it seems almost impossible that a man of such lyrical talent can’t read the words he pens.  He says he would actually hire someone to write down his song lyrics that he would dictate.

Its been a few years since his admission but at a recent Midwest Music Festival in Chicago, Kelly discussed how he’s overcome this tremendous hurdle toward acheiving greatness in music.

“When I was trying to make it out here, I already knew, and I was stubborn about it,” he said. “I don’t even read really and I’m not afraid to say that. My cousins and brothers used to tease me ‘you can’t even read right.

How you think you’re going to come up?’ The only reason I graduated from grammar school is because I had a great jump shot. I went to high school and [my teacher] told me ‘you will be one of the greatest writers of all time.’ I believed. You [have to] believe it. You can’t believe [anything] if you’re hating. You can’t achieve [anything] if you’re hating.”

Say what you want about R. Kelly and his taste for underaged women.  That’s horrific yes.  But just imagine what life must be like as an adult being unable to read.