By Tamlyn Canham
South Africans are mulling over whether they should stop playing R.Kelly’s music after the R&B superstar was found guilty in his sex trafficking trial.
The ‘Ignition’ hitmaker was described as the ringleader of a racketeering and sex trafficking scheme that lured women and girls. He is facing life in prison.
The court heard how people around R. Kelly, including his managers and members of his entourage, supported his predatory behaviour.
While many people cancelled the Grammy Award winner after Lifetime’s ‘Surviving R. Kelly‘ documentary, some are still undecided about banning his music.
One person who has no problem removing R. Kelly from their playlist is Kaya 959’s Unathi Nkayi.
The Midday Joy presenter says she will not play his music and encouraged her friends to do the same.
“To ALL my friends who think you’re going to CONTINUE playing R Kelly in my presence. TODAY IT STOPS. No more philosophical BULL S**T about you separating the genius from the MONSTER. It STOPS TODAY HMKAY……unless you LOVE being a trigger,” she wrote.
ALSO READ: R. Kelly accused of sexually abusing boy he met at McDonald’s
South Africans react to R. Kelly verdict
Many of Unathi’s followers supported her call for a ban on R. Kelly’s music, others did not.
“Will listen to R Kelly’s music till the day I die,” one Instagram declared.
Another added: “Unathi you can stop playing his music, that’s your choice, I will listen to his good music until he comes out & yes I also know we’re not friends.”
Some did not understand why R. Kelly continues to get support despite his shocking crimes.
“There’s no excuse!!!!! How disgusting that people are defending him. Let’s see what you think when it happens to your children,” one woman commented.
“What other truths are people looking for???? There was a trial, there were witnesses, there is a video of him having sex with a child!!! What the hell!!! People are disgusting,” a second woman added.
ALSO READ: R&B singer-songwriter Andrea Martin passes away
Here’s a look at what some had to say on Twitter.
R Kelly has been found Guilty. Delete all his Music online!
— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) September 27, 2021
Go and serve your time but your music will live on within my soul… R Kelly… pic.twitter.com/EQxivyr5zY
— Vongani Baloyi🇿🇦 (@Vongani_B) September 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/JasonKhumalo2/status/1442685698696486913
They should remove all R Kelly music on streaming platforms and never play his music on radio again #muteRkelly pic.twitter.com/UuVQkgZd6q
— Jabulani Macdonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) September 27, 2021
Main image credit: YouTube/R Kelly TV (Ingition video)



