Episode #179 | 06.04.24
R. Kelly: Superstars, Super Predators, and a 20-Year Reign of Sexual Terror
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In this episode
R. Kelly openly groomed teenage victims while on trial for child pornography – a trial based on sex tapes that were once sold at Tower Records. He wrote a song designed to help Michael Jackson turn attention away from his own troubling allegations, and he wrote that song while he was illegally married to a 15-year old. That marriage eventually brought about his downfall. But not before R. Kelly went on a 20-year reign of terror – all conducted in plain sight while he was one of the biggest R&B artists in the world.
This episode contains themes that may be disturbing to some listeners, including sexual assault, child sexual assault, and domestic violence.
Sources
Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly, by Jim DeRogatis
R. Kelly: ’Superfreak’ Cover Story (Vibe)
R. Kelly: The history of his crimes and allegations against him (BBC)
The Confessions Of R. Kelly (GQ)
R. Kelly Sues Jay-Z (Rolling Stone)
Jay-Z, R. Kelly Part Ways as Best Of Both Worlds Tour Collapses (MTV)
Jay-Z and R. Kelly Interview (Hot 97)
R. Kelly Mocks Legal Troubles In Concert, Writer Says (MTV)
Michael Jackson Anniversary - R. Kelly Remembers the Superstar (People)
R. Kelly on Working with Michael Jackson: "I Couldn't Believe It...I Thought Michael Was a Cartoon" (Complex)
Parents Told Police Their Daughter Is Being Held Against Her Will In R. Kelly’s “Cult” (Buzzfeed)
R. Kelly found not guilty (E! Online)
R. Kelly is in jail with my dad and he called to serenade me (NY Post)
R. Kelly singing in jail (TikTok)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Patrick Coman.
Copy edited by James Sullivan.
Scored and mixed by Sean Cahalin.
Additional music and score elements by Ryan Spraker.
DISGRACELAND theme song, “Crenshaw Space Boogie,” written and produced by Jake Brennan. Performed by Jake Brennan, Bryce Kanzer, Jay Cannava, and Evan Kenney. Mixed and engineered by Adam Taylor.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak