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R Kelly in sex video scandal
06/04/2002 16:35 - (SA)
Chicago - Two-time Grammy winner R Kelly is facing scrutiny over
allegations that he appears in a sexually explicit videotape with a
minor that police say is being sold illegally across the country
and on the internet.
Lawyers for Kelly (33), whose first name is Robert, have denied
the platinum-selling R&B artist is the man on the tape. They did
not return phone calls on Friday from The Associated Press.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in February that it had received
the tape anonymously and passed it along to Chicago police.
"The police department is investigating a tape that was given to
us by the Sun-Times that involves explicit sexual activity with
what appears to be a 14-year-old girl," police spokeswoman Pat Camden
said.
Police would not say whether the man on the tape is Kelly, known
for his inspirational hits I Believe I Can Fly and The
Greatest, but also raunchy songs such as Feelin' On Yo Booty, Bump 'n' Grind and Your Body's Callin'.
The sex crimes unit of the Cook County State's Attorney's office
also is investigating, spokesperson Marcy O'Boyle said. She declined
further comment.
Sex with someone under 17, the age of consent, is a crime in
Illinois.
Chicago music station WGCI-FM said Kelly called the station
on Thursday after a small group of protesters smashed several of his
CDs outside the station's office and called for a boycott of his
music.
The station played a tape of the conversation, in which the man
identified as Kelly denounced his accusers.
"They're trying to destroy me basically and I know that God has
not brought me to this point to have that happen," he said.
WGCI president Marv Dyson said on Friday he hadn't decided whether
to stop playing Kelly tunes, but that listeners were calling in to
support playing the music.
The Rev Bamani Obadele and other protesters say a boycott shows
their concern about the allegations, which have created a buzz
among many of Kelly's young fans.
"Until he can come forth and explain to the African-American
community with some level of legitimacy why these people are saying
this, then we need to boycott his music and not listen to him,"
said Obadele, who viewed the tape after hearing about it from
youngsters at his community centre on Chicago's South Side.
Lola Ogunnaike, who wrote about the tape in the cover story in
the May issue of Vibe magazine, said the allegations have hurt
Kelly's album sales, but that she expected fans would eventually
support him.
"It think it's going to be hard for fans to get over this, but
eventually I think they may because I think you can like the music
and not necessarily respect the artist," she said.
This isn't the first time Kelly has been accused of having a
relationship with a minor.
Documents show he married the singer Aaliyah in 1994, when she
was 15. The marriage apparently took place without her parents'
consent and was later annulled. The pair severed their artistic
ties and refused to comment about their relationship. Aaliyah died
in a plane crash last year.
Kelly has written and produced songs for Michael Jackson, Janet
Jackson and others, and has performed with Celine Dion.
His most recent album, The Best of Both Worlds, is a
collaboration with multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z. It debuted in
second place on March 19 with 223 000 sales - much lower than the
nearly 500 000 some industry officials had predicted.
No promotions or music videos are planned to promote the record,
according to Jana Fleishman, a spokesperson for Jay-Z's label, Def
Jam.
Def Jam blames the sluggish sales on bootlegged copies and a
slump in the industry. - Sapa-AP
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