CHICAGO, July 20, 2011 -- R&B superstar R. Kelly will be laid up for an indefinite amount of time after undergoing an emergency procedure at Northwestern Memorial Hospital yesterday to drain an abscess on one of his tonsils.

Kelly had visited a throat specialist earlier in the day complaining of severe throat pain. Following a preliminary exam, he was rushed to Northwestern Memorial for the procedure.

It is not known when the multi-platinum recording star, who just completed the U.S. leg of his worldwide "Love Letter" Tour, will be able to resume performing.