R. Kelly is back.
Teddy Riley appears to be on the verge of new music from the disgraced singer. This guy is currently serving decades in prison for some of the most disturbing crimes hip-hop and R&B have to face. But he’s back.
Teddy posted a clip of Kelly singing Chris Brown’s “It Depends” and basically said this. Used to forget everything about this guy. In the video, Kelly makes it very clear that he’s the one singing, even calling out Brown as if he’s flexing. But this guy is a convicted sex trafficker, and they’re helping him gain favor in the culture.
The song first appeared via Kelly’s label Rockland Records, but Teddy took it to the next level, “Still the King of R&B Bar None!!! Can’t wait for you guys to hear the new music!!! Until then the trailer will drop!!! It’s time for the real music!!! #legendary #letsgo.”
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What happened to Teddy?
Chris Brown didn’t exactly help. He jumped into the comments with eyes and fire emojis, which many took as an endorsement. For a culture that has struggled for years with abuse, power…and whatnot…that’s a lot.
Let us rational people take a step back.
Let’s be clear. In 2022, a Brooklyn jury found Kelly guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year sentence that runs until 2045. In addition, he faces another 20 years in prison for child pornography and seduction of minors cases in Chicago.
So yes, people are angry. It doesn’t feel like a throwback or art. It feels like selective amnesia, people taking desperate chances. I think hip-hop and R&B are better than this. We should keep evolving and doing better. Kelly can still sing, but who cares? Well, that’s the problem. People do care…despite the abuse.
Here are some comments under the post:
“Damn King…I know time heals all wounds…but where do we draw the line, we need to pray he gets the help he needs mentally 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 you goat, you have a lot of influence…because we love him as a musician but still need to draw the line”
“Why would you support, promote and collaborate with a man who committed so many atrocities against young women. As a father of two daughters, there is no way in my heart I could support and endorse such behavior and actions. We must expect and demand more from ourselves and others. If he violated your daughter, would you still work with him 🤔”
“If you’re going to draw the line, draw it with everyone. Teddy, do what you gotta do.”
“Sir I love you, always have been, I’m a huge fan of yours, always have been, but I’m a dad and this guy will never get any love from me, after all like Diddy, I did look up to him at one point in my life, what this man did is unforgivable, I love my kids and feel all kids should be protected (even if they’re not your own) this man took full advantage of the power and money he had and it went on for years,” So no one supports this, sorry, move and be with new talented artists, you have that power and skill but he doesn’t deserve another chance, this guy got shot, ruined it, we heard his own words and he acted like he didn’t know what he did wrong when we all know he did, sorry bro, I support Trump so that this crap from Mr. Kelly doesn’t rot in jail and die like any real dad (and mom) would fear”
“As a father of daughters, I definitely mean to celebrate WTF I celebrate – but he doesn’t.”
