30 Day (R Kelly) Song Challenge, Day 15: A Song That Describes You

‘The World’s Greatest’

R Kelly and I laugh in the face of false modesty.

A contribution to the Ali soundtrack, ‘The World’s Greatest’ is not about Ali himself, but rather a Kelly-brand inspirational ballad reiterating the same message as ‘I Believe I Can Fly’. Lyrically this positivity is not directed at anyone in particular. It’s classic graduation-day stuff, all soft and easy to listen to. But pro-United States sentiment and post-9/11 angst is all over the video, likening the US struggle to that of a prizefighter. Kelly himself plays the role of The Champ, shaving off his braids in almost a Travis Bickle-like declaration of intent. Ready for action, he brandishes two stars and stripes boxing gloves throughout the video. Almost contradicting the song’s personality, Kells snarls out each lyric to the camera and anger is evident on the faces of New York firefighters, police offers and many other assumed victims of 9/11 as they stand motionless in the centre of the ring. It’s only when Kelly is joined in the ring by his backing choir that the tension is broken.

Producing and arranging all his own music, Kelly has generally existed in his own bubble throughout his career. But ‘The World’s Greatest’ is such a jumble of raw emotion, it can’t be seperated from the time of it’s creation.