Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for BET, Prince Williams/WireImage
While many artists have come forward in support of the #MuteRKelly movement saying they will no longer support his music, whether he recorded or wrote it, some are advocating on his behalf.
Over the weekend, during her concert, Erykah Badu decided to take some time out of her show to bring hope and love to the ongoing R. Kelly backlash: “I’m sending a prayer right now for R. I hope he sees the light of day if he’s done all those things that we’ve seen on TV and heard those ladies talk about. I hope he sees the light of day and comes forward.” Watch the full video below:
Following her comments, people took to social media to let the songstress know that they had issues with what she said.
https://twitter.com/BeLeather/status/1087151365909041158
Badu then explained that her words were taken out of context. And while she wants healing for him, she clarified that she doesn’t agree with what the alleged abuser has done.
Another person who is chiming in on the conversation is Da Brat. Also over the weekend, while at the Trumpet Awards, the rapper told TMZ that she does believe he needs help, and the blame should be put on someone else: “But at the same time, where are the parents? So, I think he needs help for sure. I love him. I hope he don’t get mad at me and I think the parents need to take responsibility. Where is your 14-year-old child? Why are you there? Something wrong with that.” See what else she had to say below:
And this only proves that it might be hard to mute Kelly, but it looks like Sony Records has taken a stand in the movement. Just last week, the record label Robert’s worked with for decades decided to drop him as an artist. But are you really surprised? Following the aftermath of Surviving R. Kelly, according to Billboard, the company separated itself from the “Ignition” singer due to everything that’s been revealed by his alleged victims.
He was officially removed from their website early Friday morning, but no formal statement has been made. Although he has put out several independently released songs, the last album he had with the label was a 2016 Christmas album. It’s also been reported that his back catalog of music will stay with RCA/Sony.
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 27: R. Kelly Performs during the Holiday Jam at Fox Theater on December 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
In recent weeks, leading up to this decision, a plane appointed by the women’s organization UltraViolet, carried a sign reading “RCA/Sony: Drop Sexual Predator R. Kelly” which flew high over the corporation’s Los Angeles offices. And over in New York City, a protest was staged outside its headquarters. According to an insider, Sony has been trying to find the best way out from its contract with the music producer for several months before any of this went down.
And to add to the long list of alleged victims, a woman named Tracey Sampson recently came forward saying that the songwriter sexually abused her when she was an intern at Epic Records in 1999. According to the 36-year-old’s interview with Dateline, he was very persistent. She recalls he asked her, “‘Can I kiss you?’ and I was like, ‘No,'” to which he responded, “‘Well, give me a hug.’ And then, like, when I gave him a hug he just started kissing me.” Watch her full interview below:
TELL US: What do you think about Erykah and Da Brat’s comments?
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