*Singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson says R. Kelly fans should not feel guilty for liking his music as the R&B hitmaker battles charges of sex crimes against women and young girls.
Johnson collaborated with Kelly in the early stages of her career, when he wrote and produced her hits “I Am Your Woman” and “Guess What.” Now she’s publicly speaking out in support of his artistry, telling his fans that Kelly’s music has nothing to do with the various charges against him, which include sexual abuse, sex-trafficking bribery and racketeering.
“I don’t think people should find themselves responsible for his actions because they love his music,” she said, Page Six reports. “During that time when you heard that music, you were in a pure place where you received something lyrically that inspired and motivated you. Hold on to that. That’s not your fault that he created this … So if we can’t listen to his music, [then] we can’t watch another Harvey Weinstein movie. We can’t watch none of Bill Cosby’s shows.”
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Johnson added, “God created these people. They are still created by the Lord. He also designed them to put those good things in the world. Whether they are attached to these terrible things … that’s not our responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Kelly faces new federal charges in Chicago, alleging he sexually abused a minor female for four years, beginning in 1997.
R. Kelly is currently in prison awaiting hearings in four jurisdictions on a slew of sex crimes, many of which involve women who were minors at the time. He could be arraigned on the new charges at his next scheduled hearing on March 5.
The singer has been held without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago since July of last year.
R. Kelly’s attorney, Steven Greenberg, said via Twitter of the new charges, “We are aware of the superseding indictment. We continue to fight for him and look forward to the day he is free,” adding “#notguilty #rkelly.”
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