don't forget R Kelly got some hipster love and attention with those Trapped In The Closet videos. I vaguely remember IFC showing Trapped In The Closet back when they actually aired indie flicks. I dunno if the support was ironic or what have you, but he made some cross over dollars there.

I'm not saying black folks didn't show R Kelly love, but I don't think it's fair to assume he didn't get crossover appeal at the height of his stardom.