The 'I Believe I Can Fly' hitmaker says in a room packed with his friends that the campaign banning his music is 'too late' because his music 'has been injected into the world.'
- May 24, 2018
AceShowbiz - R. Kelly has been filmed mocking #MuteRKelly campaigners for trying to block access to his music in response to sexual misconduct allegations.
Several former Kelly associates have accused him of conducting abusive relationships with young women. As a result, last month Time's Up activists and stars including the director Ava DuVernay and TV impresario Shonda Rhimes demanded concert promoters, streaming service bosses and record label executives sever ties with the star.
In a now deleted Facebook video reposted on The Spin website, the controversial R&B star addresses a packed room of pals and mocks the campaign, saying, "I've got a million motherf**kers hating me, and 40 billion motherf**kers loving me. It's too late, they should have did this s**t 30 years ago. It's too late. The music has been injected into the world."
According to The Spin, the video was first posted on 18 May by a man called Remus Jackson IV, who like Kelly hails from Chicago, Illinois.
The 51-year-old star also toasted his companions, adding: "To all the strong motherf**kers in here right now. Motherf**kers like you is why I still continue to do what I do, because I have a basketball mentality. As long as I've got the ball, the world is on defense."
In response to the #MuteRKelly campaign Spotify bosses announced his music would no longer appear on their playlists - although his music is still available on the platform and his weekly play count actually went up after their decision.
The "I Believe I Can Fly" singer has been dogged by rumours of sexual misconduct for years and was acquitted on a child pornorgaphy charge in 2008. Attention was again focused on Kelly's private life last year when BuzzFeed News published a report alleging he had brainwashed young women into a "sex cult". The article quoted the families of two women, as well as former associates of the star.
In a follow-up BBC documentary a former girlfriend accused him of "grooming" an underage girl to become his sexual pet - and another ex has now filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him.
