December 27th, 2009
“Trapped in the Closet” is an urban opera, R&B opera, or hip-hopera released by contemporary R&B singer R. Kelly in 2005. The songs relate an ongoing narrative, which Kelly and Jive Records promoted by releasing each chapter to radio stations one at a time. This also serves as the first official single off R. Kelly’s album TP.3 Reloaded.
The only chord progression used is an Am chord (with a C in bass which then slides down to an A) to an E-Major chord (with a G# in the bass, which then slides down to an E) with crescendos and more instruments added at some points, thus adding suspense. The song then returns to its tonic E-Major chord.
The songs tell the story of a one-night stand that sets off a chain of events, which gradually reveals a greater web of lies, sex, and deceit.
In November 2005, six more chapters were released, for a total of twelve, on DVD. Nearly two years later, in August 2007, ten more chapters were released on DVD and shown on the Independent Film Channel (IFC), and as well as IFC’s Web site. R. Kelly said that more chapters would be written and released. In the Big Package DVD, the commentary remix gave a special sneak peek of chapter 23. On December 10, 2008, Kelly announced the next installment of chapters for release in the Summer of 2009. He is quoted as saying, “The past chapters are nothing compared to these.” However, as of December 2009, the new chapters have yet to be released.