R&B icon R. Kelly will headline this year’s Groovin' in The Park, which returns to Jamaica this summer, organizers said.
The festival, in its ninth year, will take place on June 25 at Roy Wilkins Park.
“NY fans, brace yourself for an extraordinary performance from the R&B legend when he graces the stage at Groovin’ in The Park 2017,” a flier posted on the festival’s Facebook page read. “It will be epic.”
Other acts slated to perform this year include reggae singers Freddie McGregor and Tarrus Riley, according to the event's website.
“R. Kelly is the biggest headliner we have booked for Groovin’ In The Park,” event CEO Christopher Roberts wrote in the flier. “He represents the best of R&B, and I am confident he will deliver a spellbinding performance that fans will remember for the rest of their lives.”
The controversial singer, who has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct, has had multiple hits, including “I Believe I Can Fly,” which got him three Grammy Awards in 1998.
This will be Kelly’s first outdoor performance in New York City in almost a decade, according to the organizers.
Representatives for R. Kelly confirmed he will perform at the festival.
Each year, the event dedicated to reggae and R&B draws more than 20,000 attendees, organizers said.
Previous headliners have included Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Boyz II Men, Babyface, Michael Bolton and Billy Ocean.
