Spotify removed R. Kelly’s music from its editorial and algorithmic playlists on May 10, 2018, under a new hateful conduct policy, and Lifetime has reportedly ordered a docuseries about the singer. Many people are asking why now, so here is a look at the allegations and court cases reported over the years. Kelly has denied wrongdoing, and he has never been convicted of a crime.
Spotify said its programming should reflect its values and that it will not actively promote his music, though the songs remain on the service. According to theGrio, Kelly’s manager responded that Spotify has the right to promote whatever music it chooses, but argued the company was acting on claims that are unproven.
The timeline as reported
1994: Kelly, then 27, reportedly married singer Aaliyah, who was 15. The marriage was later annulled.
1998: Kelly reportedly paid a settlement of about $250,000 to a woman who alleged in a lawsuit that a relationship began when she was 15.
2001: A former record label intern sued Kelly, claiming she was treated as a personal sex object. According to the New York Post, the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
2002: More lawsuits were filed against Kelly, and some were reported to have been settled privately. That June, he was indicted in Illinois on child pornography charges tied to a video. He pleaded not guilty. Following a trial in 2008, a jury found him not guilty on all counts.
2002: Separate child pornography charges were filed in Florida. They were later dismissed after a judge ruled that evidence from a search of his home could not be used.
2017: BuzzFeed News reported allegations that women were being controlled by Kelly in properties he rents. Representatives for Kelly have denied the allegations.
Where things stand
Kelly has never been convicted of a crime, and settlements are not findings of guilt. Still, the volume of accusations has grown, and the music industry is now responding more publicly than it has before. Baller Alert will keep following this story as it develops.
