It’s been almost six years since he was initially arrested, and R. Kelly’s child pornography trial may finally begin Friday, if the judge doesn’t wake up find a horse’s head and a yellow puddle in his bed. MTV has a timeline covering R. Kelly’s endless quest for virgin flesh, and the years of litigation it has inspired. Do you realize that Kelly has released more albums since the arrest than in the decade of professional work that preceded it? And that’s not counting unreleased material and guest appearances. Does Kelly simply have a lot of time to kill now that he can’t cruise by high schools any more, or is the looming threat of prison one hell of a muse?

Meanwhile, Sony has invited fans of all ages to share photos of their finest hair braidings, in honor of his latest single, “Hair Braider.” Just click on a photo (like JAMILAHWILLIAMS’ here) and give it a rating.

★ Lookin’ like SPAGHETTI!
★ Super tight
★ Cornrows
★ Frizzy
★ Straight back wack

While none of the allegations really change the way I feel about his music (if you destroyed every album made by an artist that used their fame to have sex with an underage girl, there wouldn’t be a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame), it’s clear this goes beyond some Steven Tyler-esque passing fancy and into some serious pathological issues. I’ll live without the next crazy sex metaphor if it means Kelly’s taken off the street and given the counseling he clearly needs.

R. Kelly Trial: A Timeline [MTV]
Kelly wants to see your braids! [R-Kelly.com]
[Hairbraiding photo: R-Kelly.com]