Where there is smoke, there is often fire, and there is no shortage of physical, emotional, and sexual assault charges against R&B musician R Kelly.

However, as things stand, R Kelly is a free man, despite the evidence against him, and despite documentaries like The Dark World Of R Kelly having aired around the world.

Still, that last effort just scratched the surface, but a six-hour Lifetime docuseries called Surviving R. Kelly might be the one that blows the lid off the whole thing.

The series will air in three parts in early January of next year, and Rolling Stone expects big things:

Surviving R. Kelly traces the vocalist’s controversial past from 1970 to the present day, highlighting numerous abuse accusations of underage African-American girls. The project includes over 50 interviews, including spots from John Legend, R&B artist Sparkle, talk show host Wendy Williams and civil rights activist Tarana Burke. Kelly’s ex-wife Andrea Kelly, ex-girlfriend Kitti Jones and brothers Carey and Bruce also participated in the doc.

Lifetime announced Surviving R. Kelly in May. “Some very brave black women have trusted us with their stories, their truth and their trauma,” executive producer Dream Hampton said in a statement. “They are survivors, and I’m honored to share their stories with the world.”

A seriously powerful opening to this trailer:

The man belongs behind bars.

[source:rollingstone]