When R. Kelly was indicted and then arrested for 21 counts of child pornography, the nation responded with dialogue. So, AllHipHop jumped into the fray and got some reponses from readers, industry cats and people on the streets.
Queen Pen (queenpenonline.com) – New York, NY – author / rapper/ mother
AHH: What did you think of the industry silence about R. Kelly?
People in the industry are so scared to open up their mouth. If it was their daughter, or somebody they knew and somebody p##### in their mouth, I think that their views would be different. Why is everybody surprised? Why don’t people want him to go to jail? If he was a rapper that pulled a gun in the club, he would be more accepted. When you are talking about messing with little girls, that is just as bad as any crime. People are contradicting themselves. Thats the problem – We need to police and take care of our own.
I don’t know what some of the people in the industry are thinkng.
Charlie Braxton – Jackson, MS – music journalist
AHH: Do you think R. Kelly is innocent or guilty?
“Given the fact that I refused to view the tapes, I’d rather not say what I think about his guilt or innocence. I’ll let the court decide that. But I will say that Kelly has long been associated with such activity. He has settled at least two civil cases involving underage girls. As the reporter for the Chicago Tribune said on BET, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Monroe Hatcher – Atlanta, GA – Student/ Technical Support Rep
AHH: Do you feel he is an exception to the general rule of R&B singers and rappers or the norm who merely getting caught?
“I think that R. is not an exception to R&B singers & Rappers.
Specifically Black ones. The reason why is because when our Black
entertainers do mess up, the media crucifies them. In this situation
they are gone to have a field day on R. Unfortunately he will be
haunted by this for the rest of his career and life. The sad part is
that R. Kelly ruined his self.”
Dynasty – Baltimore, MD – Teacher/ Emcee
AHH: In your opinion, do you think R. Kelly will serve jail time?
“Unfortunately i think Kelly will avoid jail time. I think that the
charges against him are minor in comparision to the others that are tied up
in the legal system. Plus with big time lawyers, money, and the
uncooperation of the alleged “girl in the tape”, he will probably get a slap
on the wrist.”
Dana Singleton – Englewood, NJ – Media Planner
AHH: Do you think cases like the South Park Mexican will adversely affect R.
Kelly’s trial?
(Response via email) “POSSIBLY. AND THE SOUTH PARK MEXICAN WAS FOUND GUILTY DUE TO THE YOUNG GIRLS
THAT TESTIFIED AGAINST HIM. LET’S SEE WHO COMES FORTH AND ACTUALLY
TESTIFIES AGAINST R. KELLY ALTHOUGH THERE IS HARD EVIDENCE AGAINST R.
KELLY – A VIDEOTAPE!”
Adisa Banjoko – San Jose, CA – Author
AHH: Have these allegations affected you purchasing his music?
“I don’t plan to buy his music anytime soon. As a
good friend of mine said “Anyone who can get with God
in one song, and get all bump-n-grind in the next- has
problems.” They said this BEFORE the tapes came out.
So, I thnk a lot of people saw him going out one way
or another.”
Karu Daniels – New York, NY – Media Specialist
AHH: In your opinion, will R. Kelly be able to bounce back from this situation if he is deemed not guilty?
“Bouncing back, I don’t think so. Even if he is proven innocent, paying people and settling out of court for such issues kind of is an admission of guilt. These are not civil cases. These are criminal matters.”
