"I'm the Ali of today. I'm the Marvin Gaye of today. I'm the Bob Marley of today. I'm the Martin Luther King, or all the other greats that have come before us. And a lot of people are starting to realise that now"

In this quote, R. Kelly is comparing himself to a few of the most iconic and influential figures in history. By stating he is "the Ali these days," he is referencing Muhammad Ali, a famous boxer known for his charisma and activism. Similarly, he compares himself to Marvin Gaye, a soul vocalist understood for his socially mindful music, and Bob Marley, a reggae musician and activist. By consisting of Martin Luther King Jr., Kelly is putting himself in the same category as the civil liberties leader and other greats who have made a considerable influence on society. He thinks that individuals are finally acknowledging his skill and influence, just as they did with these other historical figures.