I know you’re super busy and super important, but you need to make a little time to watch Surviving R. Kelly.

The six-part series makes for some very painful viewing, but it also serves as a reminder of how easily people turn a blind eye when you’re bringing in big bucks.

[Side note – watch Fyre as well, it’s a wild ride.]

Now, with artists and music streaming services finally taking a stand (more good PR than good conscience, but it’s a win nonetheless), the tide is beginning to turn, and R. Kelly’s best days as a successful artist may well be behind him.

First up, a leaked document shows the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that R. Kelly made the women in his sex cults sign. The NDA was obtained by The Blast, and was even given to the mother of one of the victim’s when she went to visit her daughter.

Some of the basics below:

Upon signing, the signee is now included “as a privileged member of Robert Kelly’s (‘Mr Kelly’) team (the ‘Team’), which may allow me to access privileged and/or confidential and/or proprietary information only available to trusted members of Mr. Kelly related enterprises (the ‘Opportunities’).”

The “opportunities” are referred to throughout the agreement but it is never made clear what they are.

The specifics of what constitutes confidential information are laid out and cover seven areas:

1. The premise and concept of his intellectual property
2. Mr. Kelly’s business and private life
3. The business activities of the Company and/or Mr. Kelly
4. The Company’s employment practices or policies
5. “The activities occurring in connection with the Opportunities”
6. Ideas, concepts or business plans disclosed by the company
7. “The outcome of the Opportunity”

Legalese aside, everybody knows that this NDA is just to silence any of the women in the event that they escape his clutches.

After the airing of the series, Kelly’s record label, Sony, came under increased pressure to sever ties with him.

According to Billboard, that’s finally happened:

Sony and R. Kelly have agreed to part ways, sources tell Billboard…

Reps for Sony and R. Kelly could not be immediately reached. Kelly has also now been removed from the RCA website.

Kelly had been signed to Jive since the beginning of his career in the early 1990s, and when Jive became part of Sony BMG, he became part of the Sony umbrella. He has been under contract at RCA, a Sony subsidiary, since 2012…

Cancelled, bud.

In an early contender for ‘2019 story that elicits the least sympathy’, Consequence of Sound reports that R. Kelly was hospitalised for panic attacks following the show being aired:

…the 52-year-old Kelly has been “riddled” with panic attacks in recent weeks. One of his attacks was so severe that it reportedly required treatment at a hospital.

“We’re told the episodes are triggered by the overwhelming backlash Kelly’s getting from celebs and the general public. He’s shocked how the tables have turned … with most people now believing his accusers.”

Hmm, easy to believe the accusers when it becomes beneficial to your career to do so.

Lastly, whilst this isn’t breaking news, the series has led to the possibility of legal consequences against the disgraced artist.

Vox below:

…the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, has reportedly opened a new investigation into Kelly’s alleged abuse.

…the DA is exploring the possibility of charging Kelly with false imprisonment for the alleged “cult” in which Kelly reportedly keeps young women at his homes, demanding that they have sex with him as he pleases and forbidding them from doing anything without his permission.

…a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Kelly’s manager James Mason, who police say has threatened Kelly’s accusers. The police have been unable to find Mason.

A full 25 years after R. Kelly married the then 15-year-old Aaliyah (pictured together above), the world finally seems ready to recognise him for what he really is – a monster.

Not a moment too soon.

[sources:blast&billboard&cos&vox]