In case you didn't know, R. Kelly began life thinking he wanted to play basketball professionally. While he was good at the sport, it did not drive him like music did. But he didn't learn that fact on his own, it was his teacher that led him to the conclusion.Upon walking into his first music class, Lena McLin served as a mentor to R. Kelly. Forcing him to be put into uncomfortable situations, such as singing in front of his class within minutes of the first day of school, McLin was able to push him in just the right ways.In an interview with Sun Times, Kelly says, "On the first day I met her, Ms. McLin told me, 'You're going to be one of the greatest singers, songwriters and performers of all time. She taught me opera, classical music, jazz, gospel. She said, 'You are music. You're not in any one category. Anything you attempt, you'll be able to tap into the spirit of it, and that's the gift you have.' She made me." Up until the hig...
