Who is R. Kelly? Three-time Grammy winner, who has sold more than 35 million records worldwide. Legendary writer and producer, who collaborated with such music icons as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Jay-Z, and Aretha Franklin. Visionary cultural messenger, who created the hip hopera phenomenon ''Trapped in the Closet.'' Creative genius. Sex symbol. The man who puts the ''R'' in R&B. Through the iconic anthem ''I Believe I Can Fly'' and such sexy R&B mega-hits as ''Bump N'' Grind,'' ''Ignition,'' and ''When a Woman''s Fed Up,'' R. Kelly has proven to be one of the greatest musical talents of his generation. Yet his rollercoaster ride to the top has been as perilous as it has been exhilarating. In ''Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me,'' Kelly shares his life story through episodic tales and exclusive color photographs, exploring his meteoric rises and sudden falls. From the crippling learning disorder that rendered him unable to read or write, to the teacher/mentor who prophesized that his destiny was in music, not basketball, we follow his evolution from Chicago street performer to struggling L.A. musician and beyond. Kelly reveals his hard-won ascent to superstardom and his battle to move forward after legal and personal ordeals that threatened to destroy his life. Now back at the top, Kelly recounts the surprising twists and turns that have taken him to new heights of maturity and artistry. Part memoir, part keepsake, ''Soulacoaster'' unlocks the door to R. Kelly''s story as only he can tell it, promising his fans an intimate and unforgettable ride.