R&B singer R. Kelly, who was once one of the highest-selling musicians in the world, has just been handed a thirty-year jail sentence in federal court for sex trafficking and racketeering. In recent years Kelly had become infamous for his long history as an alleged sexual predator with the Lifetime documentary series Surviving R. Kelly widening recognition of the scandal, which led to his label, RCA Records, dropping him. The trial lasted for six weeks and ended in September, with him being found guilty of all counts in a trial that had charges dating back twenty years. According to Deadline, R. Kelly’s prison sentence could amount to a lifetime behind bars for the 55-year-old singer.
It’s a sad end to what was once a glittering career in the industry, with Kelly’s hits including “Bump n Grind,” “Ignition,” “I Believe I Can Fly,” (famously used in Space Jam but not the sequel) and many more. Kelly had been satirized on South Park in the now-infamous Trapped in the Closet episode. Still, for many years Kelly was considered untouchable despite all of the rumours of misconduct and sexual assault. In a now infamous interview, journalist Gayle King challenged him with the accusations, and the singer jumped out of his chair, screaming and crying that he was “fighting for my f**king life”. In 2008, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges in Chicago. He’s actually due to face another federal trial shortly on charges that he conspired to rig that case. It’s set to begin sometime in August.
Indeed, R. Kelly seems likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars, but Kelly’s team is expected to appeal the decision. Earlier this week, his bid for an acquittal and retrial was shot down by the trial judge, who called his behaviour (according to Deadline) violent and “carefully planned” and that he had an indifference to human suffering.
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