YouTube drops R. Kelly’s channels amid sex trafficking conviction

YouTube, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL.O) has removed Robert Sylvester Kelly two channels, RKellyTV and RKellyVevo, from its platform following his conviction for sex trafficking.

The decision taken against the R&B singer, according to YouTube aligns with the YouTube’s creator responsibility guidelines.

Earlier in September, a federal jury found R.Kelly guilty of exploiting his fame to lure women and underage girls into sexual relationships over several decades.

As a result, YouTube has permanently banned him from creating or owning any other channels, a YouTube spokesperson told Reuters in a statement on Monday.

His music catalog is said to remain available on YouTube Music, a YouTube’s audio-streaming service, and user-uploaded videos will continue to be accessible.

The “MuteRKelly” campaign, founded by two Black women in 2017, has urged on X other streaming platforms like Spotify, AppleMusic, AmazonMusic, etc.” after YouTube’s action, to also remove the singer’s music from the air waves.

R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 29, 2022 by the Eastern District of New York, and he received an additional 20-year sentence in 2023, with one year to run consecutively with the previous 30-year sentence.

The high-profile case is said to demonstrate the #MeToo movement’s enduring influence, exposing long-standing allegations against R. Kelly that spanned over two decades.

Who is R.Kelly?

Robert Sylvester Kelly popularly known as R.Kelly was born on January 8, 1967, in Chicago Illinois. He is a singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Early Life and Career

R.Kelly grew up in a housing project and was raised by a single mother. He began his singing career as a church choir, before he later joined the local R&B group.

Music Success

The singer is known for his hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” “Bump N’ Grind,” “Your Body’s Callin,” “12 Play,” and “R. Kelly.” He collaborated with Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion.

Awards

Robert received three Grammy awards as the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Your Body’s Callin'” in 1994, the Best R&B Song for “I Believe I Can Fly” in 1997, and the Best R&B Album for “Chocolate Factory” in 2004.

Also, he received an American Music award as the Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist in 1994, 1996, and 1997, the Favorite Soul/R&B Album for “12 Play” in 1994, and the Favorite Soul/R&B Single for “I Believe I Can Fly” in 1997.

Besides, he won the BET Awards as the Best Male R&B Artist in 2001 and Video of the Year for “Hotel” in 2006.

In addition, he received the MTV Video Music Awards as the Best Male Video for “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time” in 2000 and the Best R&B Video for “Hotel” in 2006.

Controversies and scandals

The sex convict marriage to Aaliyah in 1994 was annulled due to her age and Kelly’s alleged manipulation. He was accused of child pornography in a sex tape scandal in 2002.

Also, he has detailed decades of abuse allegations, among is “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary in 2019.

Criminal charges and convictions

The R&B singer was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering in 2021, sentenced to 30 years in prison by Eastern District of New York in 2022, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Northern District of Illinois, with 1 year consecutive to previous sentence in 2023.

Personal Life

The sex convict married twice. His marriage with Aaliyah was annulled, before he later married and divorced Andrea Lee, and was blessed with three children, Joann, Jaya, and Robert Jr.

Legacy and Impacts

The singer influenced R&B and hip-hop genres, sold over 75 million records worldwide, but tarnished legacy due to numerous scandals and convictions.

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