Carey Kelly is perhaps most famous as the younger brother of the popular R&B singer, R. Kelly. Whereas the life of R. Kelly has been marred by controversy and court cases, Carey’s tale is somewhat different. Carey has publicly spoken about how he had a complicated relationship with his brother and the hardships that they both endured during their upbringing. Here, we examine Carey Kelly in more detail, his history, and his relationship with R. Kelly.
Quick Facts About Carey Kelly
Full Name | Carey Kelly |
Birthdate | 1970 |
Occupation | Rapper, Musician |
Husband/Wife | Not married |
Education | N/A |
Age | 55 years and 5 months old |
Parents | Joanne Kelly (Mother), Father name not known |
Siblings | R. Kelly (Brother), Bruce Kelly (Older Brother), Theresa Kelly (Older Sister) |
Children | N/A |
Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Family Background
Carey Kelly was born in 1970. He came from a family with numerous difficulties. His brother, R. Kelly, became a renowned singer, but Carey’s life took a different turn. Carey has never been as open about his life, but he did attempt music. He even put out a rap song named “Ghetto Thang” in 1997, but it did not result in a successful music career.
Carey was raised in Chicago along with his brothers. He and R. Kelly were close in age, but things were always complicated between them. They were not good while they were growing up as children, and as they grew up, things turned worse. Carey has stated that he and R. Kelly went through a lot of suffering as kids, and the suffering made them what they became.

The Troubled Relationship Between the Brothers
Carey and R. Kelly had been separated for several years. They had not spoken since R. Kelly’s acquittal in 2008 on charges of child pornography. The distance between them increased after the numerous legal issues R. Kelly endured in subsequent years. Carey has publicly discussed how their relationship was tense, particularly as R. Kelly’s action became more erratic.
Despite being far, Carey continued to be concerned about his brother. He has quoted as saying R. Kelly would end up injuring himself in jail. Carey does not think that his brother can withstand the difficult prison life. He said R. Kelly “isn’t built for jail,” which demonstrates Carey’s regard for him even after all those years of living apart.

Abuse Allegations in Childhood
Perhaps the saddest aspect of Carey Kelly’s narrative is the childhood abuse that he and R. Kelly allegedly endured. Carey reported that he was sexually abused by his older sister, Theresa, beginning when he was six years old. He also stated that R. Kelly was subjected to the same kind of abuse. These traumatic events left indelible marks on both brothers.
Carey has talked about how these things early on in life influenced their personalities and behavior as adults. Although Carey has always attempted to rationalize the abuse they suffered, he emphasizes that abuse does not justify bad behavior later in life. He feels that his brother, R. Kelly, needs treatment for his behavior, but he also understands the major issues from their past that could have led to the issues.
Carey Kelly in the Public Eye
Carey Kelly made headlines in 2019 when he featured in the Surviving R. Kelly documentary. The series centered on the abuse and misconduct allegations against R. Kelly. Carey talked about his childhood, how he and R. Kelly were abused, and how their family had been impacted by R. Kelly’s actions.
In the documentary, Carey confirmed that his brother had requested his assistance in picking up girls at concerts. Many people were surprised, as this showed just how problematic R. Kelly’s conduct had become. Carey has been one of the few relatives who has publicly denounced R. Kelly’s behavior despite causing tension among their family.
READ ALSO: R Kelly Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More
Music Career and Personal Life
Even if Carey Kelly wasn’t a success like his brother and a great musician, he had some minute accomplishments. His song “Ghetto Thang” released in 1997 may not have earned much limelight, but it tasted some moments of his musical career for him. However, afterwards in the year 2018, he did record one song “I Confess” in opposition to his brother’s contentious hit song “I Admit.” In “I Confess,” Carey made straightforward claims regarding allegations on R. Kelly and took exception to what his brother was doing.
Carey’s personal life is much quieter than his brother’s. He has tried to distance himself from the chaos surrounding R. Kelly’s fame and legal issues. Despite the hardships, Carey has worked hard to build a life for himself, focusing on his own growth and healing.