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R&B hitmaker R. Kelly has inked a deal with SmileyBooks—the publishing company of media personality Tavis Smiley—to release his autobiography.

Celebrity author David Ritz (Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye) will help Kells with penning the memoir, set to detail the story behind some of the singer’s biggest songs, the tragic loss of his mother and his controversial triumph in court on child pornography charges.

“I’m writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly,” the hip-hop crooner said in a press release. “I’m tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is.”

The book is slated to hit shelves in early 2011.

In related news, Kelly’s latest album, Untitled, debuted at no. 4 on The Billboard 200 sales charts today (December 9). The Chicago-native sold 114,200 units in its first week. –Elan Mancini

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