I wanted to keep quiet instead of teasing every R. Kelly fan I know with one single phrase: "I told you so".
Of course, there are so many celebrities out there that make terrible choices. Take a look at Sabrina Claudio, the latest R&B songstress who was exposed months ago for tweeting extremely disparaging remarks about black women. Also, as bad as I hate to bring up the past, R&B singer Chris Brown counts, too.
But one terrible choice I refuse to make is supporting R. Kelly.
I've always considered myself objective. I always try to separate the music from the artist. I admit I've done it with Azealia Banks and Kanye West because they're basically talented shit-talkers with Twitter fingers. But, as talented as R. Kelly is, I don't think I can listen to a single song without thinking of the actions he committed.
If you didn't know, the Lifetime channel released a six-part documentary 'Surviving R. Kelly' last week.
Several victims speak on disturbing occasions with the artist, including emotional and mental abuse. Also, his short-term marriage with the late singer Aaliyah is discussed. In summary, R. Kelly allegedly performed sexual favors with women who were between the ages of 12 to 17 since he became an instant R&B star.
He plead not guilty for child pornography, in which he allegedly urinated on a minor. This would eventually turn into a pop culture fad, with TV shows like 'Chappelle's Show', 'South Park' and 'The Boondocks' vividly and satirically addressing R. Kelly's actions. But, if you watch them again, you can see the truth.
R. Kelly is a sexual predator. He calls himself The Pied Piper of R&B for a reason.
I'm not trying to force everyone to cancel R. Kelly. Believe it or not, there are still some die-hard fans (probably your parents) that are too stubborn or biased to care.
They'll continue to sing "Bump 'n Grind" during karaoke night, play "The World's Greatest" at your child's graduation ceremonies, or remember every chapter from "Trapped in the Closet".
What pisses me off is that these stubborn fans believe that these women are using R. Kelly's name for a paycheck. Just because it took them many years to speak their truth, doesn't mean it's a lie. Victims of traumatic experiences like sexual abuse and domestic violence aren't allowed to speak their truth without being judged by our society.
It's your ignorance that keeps victims silent. It's your ignorance enables sexual predators like Kelly. There's plenty of situations like this that society sweeps under the rug. It's not fair.
I have no sympathy for Kelly. If it's likely that he goes to jail for the antics he committed, I consider it justice for every survivor that dealt with his dominance over minors.
I'm sorry, but R. Kelly is canceled.