Marvin Sapp’s 11th solo album, titled Close, is set to drop on Friday, September 29th (2017). It features collaborations with gospel-greats, Kirk Franklin and Erica Campbell, as well as production by Rodney Jerkins. However, there’s one controversial issue surrounding it.

Marvin Sapp Gives Explanation About R. Kelly To His Fans

Even though the title track is already soaring up the gospel charts, “Listen,” a song written and produced by R. Kelly, is getting some unexpected attention because of the allegations of underage sex and physical abuse recently made against him. But Sapp is warning folks not to let the messenger get bigger than the message of the song.

“The album was completely done. My attorney, myself, and the record company did talk about possibly pulling it,” Sapp said. “Then I prayed on it. I later told the label that I’m crazy enough to believe that the message is always bigger than the messenger. I’m singing a song specifically designed to motivate, encourage and challenge people to listen to and for the voice of God.”

Sapp’s Responsibility

While other artists in Sapp’s position might choose to distance themselves from Kelly’s scandal, he is in a very unique position as a ‘man of the clothe.’ But he pointed out that his job is to minister people through their ups and downs:

“I’m hoping that people understand my heart,” Sapp said. “Whether the allegations (against R. Kelly) are true or false, my responsibility as a pastor and teacher is to pray for everybody who find themselves in bad situations and good situations. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m not supposed to condemn. That’s not my job.”

Why Kelly Wrote The Song

Kelly has been a fan of Sapp’s music for years and has performed his 2007 breakout hit “Never Would Have Made It” many times in concert. He said that Sapp has the only voice that can convey the true meaning of “Listen.”

“I wrote ‘Listen’ because I honestly feel like God is trying to tell the world something,” Kelly told Billboard in an emailed statement. “And there’s no other voice that could deliver that message from God but Marvin Sapp.”

What Caught Sapp’s Attention

The opening lyrics to “Listen” immediately caught Sapp’s attention. The song was brought to him by his longtime musician, who also happens to play for Kelly. Upon hearing it the first time, Sapp knew he had to record it.

“What really caught me were the first four lines: ‘You tried your way/It didn’t work/You put Him second/And you put yourself first,'” Sapp said. “Even though God may not speak audibly, if we really pay attention we can hear that God is trying to tell us something in the midst of the challenges we face.”

Thoughts ILOSM fam?’

The post Marvin Sapp Explains Why He’s Keeping R.Kelly Song On New Gospel Album Despite Sex Claims appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

If you haven’t seen this video of Marvin Sapp and what he does with (sort of) Old School R&B singer from the 1990’s, check it out below. Although singer/songwriter Joe isn’t officially “Old School” his song “I Wanna Know” is definitely a 90s classic. You know the words,

“I wanna know what turns you on, So I can be all that and more. I’d like to know what makes you cry, So I can be the one who always makes you smile.” Gospel singer, Marvin Sapp caused an uproar when he sang an R&B song asking what turns a woman on (Joe’s “I Wanna Know”) at a small graduation party a few months ago. We all know that Marvin Sapp is still a man, but that didn’t fly over well with a lotta folks.

Why is it that we understand that R&B artists have a religious side, but they also have a romantic side? Why do we not accept that gospel artists, while they love their religion, also get in the mood for a lil’ affection, just like any other human being? See the video of Marvin Sapp singing Joe’s “I Wanna Know”.

So here’s the million dollar question: Are we putting too much of a double standard on gospel artists? Because what seems fair is that if Aretha can do it, so can Dotti Peoples. So can Marvin Sapp! What do you think ILOSM family?

Flip through the pages to see 8 Old School and New School R&B artists who have successfully been able to straddle the R&B/gospel fence.

The post What? Marvin Sapp Wants To Know What Turns You On appeared first on I Love Old School Music.