R&B Singer R. Kelly is reportedly ill, and already Sumfest fans are hoping it is not a case of déjà vu, as the singer had to pull out of last year's staging due to a similar illness.

On Tuesday, the singer was forced to pull out of three events due to complications allegedly arising from a corrective surgery that was performed to treat an abscess on his vocal cords last year.

Last year, R. Kelly was booked to headline International Night 1 at Reggae Sumfest, but had to cancel his performance as the R&B King had undergone emergency surgery to drain an abscess from his tonsil. Lovers rock singer Beres Hammond was called upon as his replacement and successfully delivered a catalogue of timeless hits.

For the 2012 staging of Sumfest, Johnny Gourzong again booked R. Kelly for International Night, this time alongside fellow R&B superstar Trey Songz.

R. Kelly also recorded a video footage apologising to local fans and promising to make up for his absence last year.

"What's up Jamaica first of all I wanna extend my deepest apologies for the last time I was supposed to come out there but I was really sick, but this time I'm coming out there, and I'm going to make up for lost time - Saturday, July 21 for the Reggae Sumfest - be looking out for me, I will be there," Kelly said in the video.

The STAR last night contacted Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment, who are officially handling PR duties for Reggae Sumfest. According to Hamilton, the organisers are confident of R. Kelly's performance at this year's staging.

"We are aware of the reports and we made contact with his (R. Kelly's) camp and we have been assured that he will be at the festival, and he himself will reassure patrons that he will be there," Hamilton said.

At the time of his illness on Tuesday, R. Kelly was expected to make appearances at a book launch party in New York , a Jimmy Fallon Show and an appearance on NBC's Today Show.

According to a report posted on TMZ.com, Kelly's people noted that it was unclear how long he would be sidelined.

'We are aware of the reports and we made contact with his

(R Kelly's) camp and we have been assured that he will be at the festival and he himself will reassure patrons that he will be there,'