“I Believe I Can Fly” is a song written by, produced and recorded by American artist R. Kelly, featured in the soundtrack of and known as the hit single from the film Space Jam, released on November 26, 1996. “I Believe I Can Fly” was later internationally released on Kelly’s 1998 album R..

In early 1997, after the release of said song, it quickly gained popularity within the United States and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but could not top the chart as it was prevented by the successful single released a month earlier on October 21, 1996, “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton from climbing to number one. At the time, R. Kelly had two pop songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, and “I Believe I Can Fly” was the most successful one out of the two.

However, the situation was reversed when “I Believe I Can Fly” peaked at number one on the “Billboard R&B Singles Chart” and remained there for six weeks, non-consecutively. It kept “Un-Break My Heart” from the top position of the charts for four weeks.

“I Believe I Can Fly” also received similar success in eight other countries by topping the charts, including in the UK. The song was certified gold in seven countries, including France and Germany, and certified platinum in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“I Believe I Can Fly” went on to win three Grammy Awards, and was ranked at number 406 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, published in 2004.

The corresponding music video was self-directed by R. Kelly, with the help of Hype Williams.

Since the release of “I Believe I Can Fly”, many covers and parodies have been made of the song.