I think this is a good match-up because The-Dream was clearly influenced by Kels, (see "Let Me See That Booty" & "I Like the Crotch On You," "Sex Me pt 1 and 2" & "Love vs. Money pt 1 and 2," or "Kelly's 12 Play" & R. Kelly's album, "12 Play"), and they both have similar strengths and weaknesses. They both are often ambitious when it comes to album construction, but still end up having albums that are split between clunkers and total jams.

I say either The-Dream wins for his songwriting work for other artists, or R. Kelly wins for having "12 Play," which I say is the best album either of them has put out. R. Kelly also has nostalgia on his side. Gonna have to go with him

Love vs. Money is one of the best albums of the last decade. The-Dream.

I need to listen to R Kelly more, but The-Dream rules my world in many ways. Nobody describes the wonder of sexuality like he does.

You hit it right hurr, I'd say 12 Play pushes it just in favor of Kels. Plus, he's got some longevity. Okay maybe a lot of that longevity is not great but whatevs. Happy People/Step in the Name of Love still gets when I'm drunk and have the right friends over, not sure what that says about me though.

Actually, and I love The-Dream, but damn R. Kelly has like two or three times as many songs I enjoy. So many fucking guilty pleasures, if I actually felt guilty about liking them. I'm pretty sure I could comprise a 2 disc compilation of 30-35 R. Kelly songs that I like/really like/love. So many great remixes too. And guest appearances, holla at Nick Cannon's Gigolo.

Ha, it's funny you say that, because I had the idea to make this poll while making a personal "R. Kelly's greatest hits" mix CD. I ended up having to trim it down by about an hour and half.

i'm not sure, but I'm picking the-dream because he fulfills my album format sensibilities more as a music fan. I definitely like R. Kelly more as a singer, but the-dream just feels more well rounded (with more strength in production creativity). With Kelly, he is commanding every inch of music he is singing over, his delivery is incomparable in ways nobody can resist singing every idiosyncratic inflection the same way. But with the-dream it's a different experience, he blends in with his music. Being that his voice isn't very unique or commanding, his artistry comes from being dedicated and giving everything up to serve the "pop hook". There is something very secure about the way he writes songs and especially at the speed he has done with 3 great albums in a matter of a few years, like he was some kind of contemporary R&B version of Holland-Dozier and could just breed pop hits like rabbits. Try saying radio killa without saying it like him, i dare you.

Yeah that's a good point. Nobody sings an R. Kelly song without attempting to hit all 30 notes in each word (except for Ignition Remix).

Gimme some good The-Dream youtubes.

don't forget the jaw-dropping:

^That is just the catchiest shit ever

i like how you guys are typing long posts and shit and forgetting the easiest path to a solution on this problem:

r. kelly - ignition (remix)