R. Kelly is feeling generous on “Share My Love,” the feel-good first single from his 12th studio album Write Me Back, due in May on RCA Records.

“Now that we’re in this room, let’s do what we were born to do/ Populate, let’s get together, make the world better,” sings the R&B icon on the ’70s-inspired tune, which he wrote and produced.

Kellz is also readying a sequel to his 1993 debut 12 Play entitled Black Panties and is writing original music for the upcoming musical Sparkle starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks.

The-Dream’s conversation with Tim Westwood continues. In the second installment of his BBC Radio 1Xtra interview, Terius reveals why he won’t be working on Ciara’s new album, sings “My Cherie Amour” and “Umbrella” acapella, discusses R. Kelly’s influence on R&B, and explains why he clicks so well with Rihanna.

On why he can’t work with Ciara: “I have a contract under Def Jam so it’s only certain people I work with. [The executives] were real smart by putting that in there, I made them pay for it.”

On R. Kelly’s influence: “He held it down. I don’t think this generation of R&B would be at this particular stage without that. R. Kelly was doing it in a hip-hop-dominated culture,” he says, adding, “But we all gotta go down.”

On his success as a recording artist: “I don’t really care about the million album sales. I don’t really care about the number ones because I do those things writing for everybody else, so I can just stay in this spot and I’m comfortable selling 500k and under. Everybody wants to go pop, I don’t.”

On why Rated R is one of Rihanna’s best albums: “That was right after Good Girl Gone Bad. She could of went up and went more pop, but she regressed and went down back into it.”

R. Kelly is set to return in 2012 with his album Black Panties, which he describes as “the new 12 Play.” While we wait for the next chapter in Kellz’ career, two previously unreleased tracks, “Nothing On” and “I Quit You,” have hit the net. On the sexy slow jam “Nothing On,” the Pied Piper sings about seeing his girl naked (no G-strings, please), while “I Quit You” is reminiscent of his Happy People / U Saved Me era. We’ll take what we can get.

R. Kelly spread his wings and soared on the two-part finale of “The X Factor.” The music maestro joined finalist Melanie Amaro for the first duet of his classic “I Believe I Can Fly,” praising the 19-year-old singer following their performance. “It was unbelievable. There’s no doubt in my mind that this girl is on her way to the moon,” said Kellz.

In related news, the R&B legend has recorded a whopping 32 new chapters to his “Trapped in the Closet” series and is looking for financial backing to release them. “It costs a lot of money to do, so we’re actually looking for investors,” he told TMZ. Paging Jimmy Kimmel.

The boat will be rocking when R. Kelly sets out on his first “Love Letter Cruise” next fall in the Bahamas.

The R&B icon will embark on a five-day romantic “Love Letter Cruise,” departing from Miami on October 1 and sailing to Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau, before returning to Miami on October 6. Passengers will board Carnival Cruise Line “Destiny” as Kellz performs for the first time at sea. Additional artists will be announced 90 days prior to the cruise.

While on board the love boat, guests will enjoy gourmet meals, fitness exercises at the “Stepping Class,” and a “12 Play” basketball game. Get pampered with a massage and choose from over 20 games and activities on board.

Tickets for the private cruise start at $1,000/person and go all the way up to $3,000/person. Reservations are available now.

Throat surgery hasn’t stopped R. Kelly. The Pied Piper silences his haters with his first song since undergoing emergency throat surgery in July. He thanks God and the doctors who helped him through the ordeal and fires back at the haters who said he was done.

“This song goes out to to all the people out there that be running their mouth/ And they don’t know what the hell they saying/ Shut up!” sings Kellz. “After 22 years of a blessed career, they had me lying in my hospital crying mad tears.”

He also takes a moment to affirm his status as the king of baby-making music. “Every boy, every girl, and every child around the world from the ’90s up until the day was made off me,” he boasts on the soulful mid-tempo.

Kellz has announced that he is writing a book called Soulacoaster. “I’m finally near the end of writing my life story book, Soulacoaster. Now I know some of you guys didn’t think I was coming out with it – but I am – it’ll be out in Spring 2012,” he tweeted.

R. Kelly made a rare appearance during the close of New York Fashion Week. Kellz suited up and had the well-dressed crowd sweating to his R&B jams during ARISE Magazine’s Made in Africa fashion show after-party at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York City.

“All I can say is R muthercking Kelly. If you weren’t at the Essex house for the Arise Mag party, you missed a legendary affair,” tweeted DJ Cassidy. “When R Kelly joined me on stage and we ran through classics, people didn’t know what to do with themselves.”

The R&B veteran, who just announced the title of his next album Black Panties, is not slowing down anytime soon. But when asked who he sees as potential heirs to his musical throne, he named Trey Songz and Chris Brown.

While he and Trey may have had their differences in the past, Kellz still gave the “Bottoms Up” singer props. “Trey Songz is a guy that if he keeps with the hits and he humbles himself a little more, he will definitely be one of the runner-ups,” he told WGCI Chicago’s “Tony Sculfield & The Morning Riot.”

He had more flattering words to say about Breezy, who he took under his wing when he was a teen. “Chris Brown is already there,” he said. “He’s a humble guy. I got the utmost respect for Chris Brown. My hat goes off to him because he got in the studio, he did what he was supposed to do, and he bounced back like round ball.”

R. Kelly is taking it back to the bedroom on his next album. The Pied Piper has renamed the sequel to 12 Play.

During an interview with WGCI Chicago’s “Tony Sculfield & The Morning Riot” radio show, Kellz announced that Black Panties would be the title of his 11th studio album. “I’m on Mission Benjamin Button right now, I’ma turn back time,” he said. “I just did the whole Love Letter joint and everybody thinking, ‘Well, that’s the direction he going now.’ No, that was a moment in time. Now this Black Panties album…”

He went on to call the album “the new 12 Play” and revealed that the first single will be titled “10 Minutes.”

The project has gone through two different name changes, including Zodiac and most recently The Return of 12 Play: Night of the Living Dead. “I think it’ll be an R&B-like thriller album, if you will,” he previously told Interview magazine.

Kellz also spoke about his recent trip to Africa and which young R&B stars he sees as his successors.

R. Kelly is recovering after undergoing emergency throat surgery last month. The 44-year-old singer was rushed to Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial to drain an abscess on one of his tonsils after complaining of throat pain. In a pre-recorded video message, Kellz thanked his fans for their support.

“I want to say thanks to all the prayer warriors out there for supporting me, praying for me,” he said while covering his mouth with a surgical mask. “The doctor said the surgery went well. I know it may not look like it, but it did. I want ya’ll to continue to pray for me, be strong out there. I will be back. I know it’s a lot of negativity out there, please don’t believe the hype. God is good all the time.”

The R&B mastermind is already planning his return to music. “As soon as I get a chance I’m going back in the studio to work on my next album,” he added.

R. Kelly has been forced to take a break from touring as he undergoes emergency throat surgery.

“R&B superstar R. Kelly will be laid up for an indefinite amount of time after undergoing an emergency procedure at Northwestern Memorial Hospital yesterday to drain an abscess on one of his tonsils,” stated his rep.

The 44-year-old entertainer had visited a throat specialist after complaining of severe throat pain. After a preliminary exam, he was rushed to Northwestern Memorial for the procedure.

It is not known when Kelly, who recently wrapped the U.S. leg of his worldwide “Love Letter” tour, will return to the stage. He had to cancel a show scheduled for Friday at the Reggae Sumfest festival in Jamaica.

“I’d like to thank everybody for their love, concern and support. I WILL BE BACK!” tweeted Kellz.