The story of R. Kelly’s life will stay “Trapped In The Closet” no longer: He’s writing a book. The reportedly illiterate singer and producer, 42, is working on an autobiography with celebrity author David Ritz that will “tell it like it is,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

The book promises to addresss all his drama, including the best-seller’s child pornography scandal that ended with an acquittal in 2008. The story will include Kelly’s early life in crime-ridden Chicago, the loss of his mother, and his rise from struggling singer to selling 34 million albums.

“I’m writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly,” the singer says in a statement. “I’m tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is.”

The autobiography is untitled right now and scheduled for release by Tavis Smiley’s SmileyBooks in 2011.