R.Kelly Says Trial Was 'Hell' and "It's time to move on"
By Njai Joszor |
Posted on 09/17/08 | Filed Under: R&B News, R. Kelly
R. Kelly set the record straight for the first and last time Tuesday, telling fans and critics alike "It's time to move on."
Answering tough questions about his seven year long legal battle, age preference when it comes to teenage girls, and his music, R.Kelly told BET's Toure, "Twelve people who didn't know me...after hearing the facts found me innocent so I'm hoping that fans that I've given good music to and people around the world for 15 or 16 years can do the same thing."
Admitting that he was nervous "as hell" during the child pornography trial this summer, Kelly credits his family, fans, faith and prayers for getting him through what he says was the most difficult experience of his life thus far -- "It was hell and I wouldn't wish it on nobody."
"[Sometimes] what you go through can feed the passion" Kelly said when asked about his success with The Chocolate Factory, Happy People/U Saved Me, TP-3: Reloaded, and Double Up, albums that were all released during his legal battle.
"Some people fall off but I chose not to do that, I chose to just pull myself together and get over these humps" he recalls.
Since the release of "The Chocolate Factory" in 2003, Kelly has been on three nationwide tours, has released four well received albums with sales of over ten million copies and has also sold a number of DVD's from the popular "Trapped In The Closet" series.
With all of the aforementioned success Kelly has no plans to stop. "I'm not gonna allow this to make me run under a rock and not do my job" he says.
In addition to the legal charges, Kelly has also been attacked by former employees and even his own brother in recent years. All parties have called the singer out for allegedly having a problem -- seeking teenage girls.
"Those people don't know Robert, they don't know me" said the singer, responding to his brother's claims and the allegations that he had an affair with his former publicist's daughter which he linked to them being disgruntled after being fired.
At one point the "Hairbraider" singer seemed baffled by the host's "underage girl" question to which he asked the host to clarify how young is young.
"I have some friends that are 19" ended up being his response to the question, later insisting that he doesn't like anyone underage or illegal.
Regardless of what the future may hold for the singer/songwriter who was acquitted of 14 counts of child pornography this summer, Kelly is sure of two things. Number one, the singer proclaims that his style will not change, there will be no watered down R.Kelly records -- "No different than a fireman running to a fire, no matter how big the blaze is ... I'm not going to let this effect my gift."
Number two, the Platinum-selling star vowed on BET to never speak about this case again, at one point telling BET host Toure' "this interview will never happen again."
"It's time for me to move on, I can't keep answering questions."
"If you were charged with something and you were found innocent then you can't be found guilty for being found innocent."
The questions could have been harder and more precise. Kelly answered none of the questions or pretended that he was not clear as to what the questions were asking of him. I get the impression that he's feeling like he dodged a bullet, lucky, so to speak. There's something there, there was not enough pressure from the girls family. There's a lot of secrets that are going on with this situation that will never be explained until the young lady grows/matures to the point where she may feel comfortable enough to share some of those secrets. The situation with his brother is unbelievable. I don't care what the problem may be with your kin folks, especially, your brother or sister, if your in a position to help them, you should at all cost. The blood must be really bad and with no mother around to calm things its a shame.
NO
9/17/2008 10:00:43 AM
He is disgusting! I want to piss on you pee on you piss on you!!!