Inneresting…
R. Kelly performed at the Soul Train Awards, closing the show on Sunday night and as usual bringing down the house.
But it appears the singer may have (finally?) worn out his welcome amongst a sizable portion of the public, judging by a flurry of online debate.
Related: Adam Levine Covers The Ignition Remix!
Kelly, of course, was charged and tried in Illinois back in the mid-2000s for crimes relating to sex with an underage girl.
In 2008, he was eventually found not guilty on all 14 counts in a jury trial at the end of a long legal battle, but it didn’t stop fans on social media from questioning his position as a public figure this weekend.
As for Sunday’s performance itself, Kelly wasn’t specifically controversial. See clips (below):
However, on Twitter, fans were divided on seeing the singer soar to new heights considering his history, with many standing strongly against Kelly’s career (below):
R. Kelly is a rapist & folks think rape is okay as long as he’s “entertaining”. *struggles to hold onto hope for humanity* Nope, its gone
— DecolonizedScientist (@Pundit_AcadEMIC) November 30, 2015
The fact that R. Kelly is still prospering frightens me..
— Amo (@krennylavitz) November 30, 2015
Same media that stayed silent and perpetuated rape culture for Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, & Roman Polanski are doing the same for R. Kelly.
— Amo (@krennylavitz) November 30, 2015
R. KELLY RAPED A TON OF LITTLE BLACK GIRLS AND BY ENDORSING HIM YOU ARE COSIGNING THAT. Consciously or unconsciously.
— Gal Fieri (@gabra_cadabra) November 30, 2015
Meanwhile, others looked past Kelly’s shady past, and stayed right in line with the R&B star:
Musically R-Kelly can not disappoint. He just can’t.
— Jessica (@finegaljessa) November 30, 2015
Make an R Kelly playlist of his hits and it’ll be 40 songs easily
— Tristan (@Chennylou) November 30, 2015
R. Kelly is still the king of R&B. It’s not even close
— Mclovin (@JohnIsaGoodman) November 30, 2015
Wow.
Where do U stand on the R. Kelly debate?
[poll=61366]
[Image via WENN.]
