Teddy Riley is clarifying his stance after backlash over comments he made in a recent Los Angeles Times interview, where he suggested that R. Kelly had “repented” and deserved “a second chance.”
In that interview, Riley defended the imprisoned singer, stating, “Everybody deserves a second chance,” and adding, “He’s asking for forgiveness. He has repented. What does that mean to everybody?” He also said he “would” consider making music with Kelly, framing it as a matter of artistry rather than endorsement.
Now, Riley says those remarks have been misconstrued and that he will not be moving forward with any collaboration.
“I want to address the Los Angeles Times interview directly,” Riley said in a new statement. “As a producer, I’ve always been excited about the possibilities of music and creative collaboration. That excitement has defined my career. But I also understand that words carry weight, and I never want my passion for music to overshadow the very real pain that many people have experienced.”
He continued, “If my comments caused hurt, I sincerely apologize. That was never my intention. I take seriously the impact that abuse and misconduct have had on survivors and their families. Their experiences matter, and they deserve to be acknowledged with care and respect.”
Riley stressed that the proposed collaboration was never concrete. “The idea mentioned in the interview, in correlation with a previous post I made, was simply that, a creative idea discussed in passing. It is not something that will move forward.”
“Loving music and recognizing its cultural impact does not mean condoning harmful behavior,” he added, reaffirming his commitment to “innovation, integrity, and love for the art form.”
