Dressed in a blue suit and white mask, R. Kelly listened with his head down, eyes cast down. The jury looked up at the judge between each announcement of “guilty.” When defense asked for a poll, each juror responded with a variety of “yes.” Not a single one hesitated.
The singer, best known for the 1996 hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” pleaded not guilty to all charges in the case. R. Kelly, the R&B superstar who has long been trailed by accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse, was found guilty Monday on all counts in a high-profile sex-trafficking case, capping a trial that featured hours of graphic testimony from the singer’s accusers.
Kelly’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2022. He could spend the rest of his life in prison, representing a remarkable downfall for the singer who once stood atop the world of R&B.
With R. Kelly found guilty, the big question for the music industry is whether his music will now be removed from major digital platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Although most digital outlets have policies barring hate speech, they tend to take a hands-off approach when it comes to removing material, seeing themselves as neutral platforms and not censors.
