Jun 13 2008
R. Kelly–Not Guilty–Does It really Matter?
There is no doubt that R. Kelly is shouting these song lyrics today “You saved me/Gave me a second chance/You saved me” as he walks out of the courtroom exonerated of all charges against him. The phenomenal songwriter faced up to 15 years in prison if he were to have been convicted of the numerous charges mounted against him. I admit that I have always been a fan of his work. I bought nearly every album, sung along to the lyrics in the car, and attended a concert or two when he came to my town. When the allegations surfaced nearly six years ago, many people were conflicted about whether or not to support or turn away from one of music’s reining idols at that time. After all, many thought the idea of such a sexy and sexual man indulging in his carnal pleasure by defiling a child was absurd. It was easier to believe such things about Michael Jackson because of his eccentricities and the alleged victims were boys.
I’ll admit that I reserve judgment on R. Kelly’s guilt or innocence because I never watched the tape. The idea of watching the possible rape and degradation of a child did not appeal to my voyeuristic appetites, unlike so many of the people I know.In reflecting on his acquittal today, I think about the pros and cons of where this man finds himself now. If he was never guilty of the crimes (as the jury has determined), then he will forever walk around with the cloud of being a child molester. Is his musical career over? While I was a huge fan during my teens and early to mid-twenties, I have found his more recent lyrical content contains far more misses than hits. I wonder how many other people in my age bracket (the simply sensational 30 plus crowd) feel the same way. If he is guilty, then he has been released into society so that he can continue to seduce young girls that are enthralled by his star power and his hypersexual lyrical content. After all, what young person with raging hormones can’t relate to such lyrics as:
“These hands have been longing to touch you baby/And now that you’ve come around, to seein’ it my way/You won’t regret it baby, and you surely won’t forget it baby”
“I don’t see nothing wrong (Ooh)/With a little bump ‘n grind (With a little bump ‘n grind)/I don’t see nothing wrong (Hey baby)”
“from beyond this bed of mine i see/ceiling fans with you on top of me/and the window blinds are filled with rays of sun/and all you secret fantasies thy will be done”
While I feel this way on one hand, I also can’t deny that song lyrics like these made me fall in love with this singer/songwriter’s creativity. Not to mention the following:
“Now I Admit Sometimes I Make Mistakes/But Still I Appreciate The Love We Make/Stop At The Door And Put Your Bags Back Down/Now Baby Please Can We Work This Out”
“Now in the midst of my battle/All hope was gone/Downtown in a rushed crowd/And felt all alone/And every now and then/I felt like I would lose my mind/I’ve been racin’ for years/And still no finish line”
“I believe I can fly/I believe I can touch the sky/I think about it every night and day/Spread my wings and fly away/I believe I can soar/I see me running through that open door/I believe I can fly
While the jury that decided R. Kelly’s fate is no longer out, I find that I have yet to reach a decision on whether or not I will continue to be a fan of R. Kelly . . .
This has been a much debated topic and I personally feel he is guilty and had he simply been a guy named Robert and not R. Kelly, he would be serving jail time right now. When it comes to celebrity court cases, it’s not just their status that gets them acquitted, it’s the power of the dollar and just how much of it they’re able to use that gets them free and clear.