R. Kelly’s supporters appeared to be stronger than ever as they lined up outside of the singer’s arraignment in Brooklyn.
The singer pleaded not guilty to counts of racketeering, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual exploitation of a child on Friday (Aug 2). The indictment includes alleged incidents in four states: Illinois, Connecticut, California and New York. Three of the five cases involve minors.
Kelly was denied bail but that didn’t stop fans from showing up at the courthouse. Some arrived in custom t-shirts and others were seen in crowns to commemorate the singer’s so-called “King of R&B” status. The crowns also included the words “justice” bedazzled on them. A 50-year-old woman named Grace wore a “Free R. Kelly” t-shirt with the words, “Unmute R. Kelly” on the back.
Another woman spoke to reporters in defense of Kelly and admitted she would have had relations with the singer in her younger days.
“I don’t believe that I think it’s a bunch of nonsense,” the supporter said. “Why would he need to hold somebody? He’s a good looking man, he’s got sex appeal. I’m pretty sure they all wanted to be with him. If I would have met him when I was a teenager, I would want to be with him.”
Fans of #RKelly started lining up outside federal court in Brooklyn two hours ago for his 10 a.m. arraignment and it is too early for this. pic.twitter.com/HVkQBwdyBb
— Molly Crane-Newman (@molcranenewman) August 2, 2019
R. Kelly supporters arrive outside court ahead of the singer’s arraignment in Brooklyn. @PIX11News #RKelly pic.twitter.com/Wb5AwLCy8g
— Ayana Harry PIX11 (@AyanaHarry) August 2, 2019
Grace said she had the #rkelly shirt made. pic.twitter.com/ZdLKVBqbhn
— Victoria Bekiempis (@vicbekiempis) August 2, 2019
Grace, 50, from Brooklyn is here in support of #rkelly pic.twitter.com/VpnoBNRQzt
— Victoria Bekiempis (@vicbekiempis) August 2, 2019
It’s almost eerie that the aunties supporting Kelly mirrors the 2005 episode of The Boondocks called “The Trial of R. Kelly.” The episode aired three years before Kelly’s child pornography case and has continued to predict support the singer has received over the years. Shortly after the release of the Lifetime documentary Surviving R. Kelly, the episode went viral.
Creator Aaron McGruder called spoke to The Undefeated about the conversations about the episode in January. “R. Kelly was a very slow-moving cultural thing that took place over years and years and years. And there was a lot of time for everyone to really think about it and mull it over and decide how they felt,” McGruder said. “We live in the era now where we don’t do that anymore. We don’t wait for the judge and jury. We make our decisions quick. It’s a very, very different time. And I think a lot of people are trying to reconcile their older selves and their R. Kelly fandom.”
Decisions seem to be quick on both sides. Kelly’s girlfriends Azriel Clar and Joycelyn Savage appeared at the hearing also in support of the singer. Savage didn’t speak to the press but reportedly smiled at Kelly during the arraignment.
Kelly’s indictment also included how the 52-year-old allegedly exposed at least one person to a sexually transmitted disease without disclosing it. The singer is due back in a Chicago court on Sept. 4 for an update on his 13 federal charges.