R. Kelly

R. Kelly, along with the group Public Announcement, released his debut album 'Born into the 90's' on November 10, 1992. This album marked the beginning of his career in the music industry and contained hits like 'She's Got That Vibe' and 'Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)'. The album was well received and laid the foundation for R. Kelly's solo career.

On November 9, 1993, R. Kelly released his first solo album '12 Play'. This album solidified his reputation as a major talent in R&B music. It featured hit singles such as 'Bump n' Grind' and 'Your Body's Callin''. The album was a commercial success, going multi-platinum, and is often credited with bridging the gap between R&B and hip-hop.

In February 2002, a sex tape was sent anonymously to the Chicago Sun-Times, which purportedly showed R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts with an underage girl. This tape went viral and was widely distributed, leading to public outcry and allegations of sexual misconduct against the singer. The scandal severely impacted R. Kelly's public image and led to legal investigations.

On June 13, 2008, R. Kelly was acquitted on all charges of child pornography stemming from the 2002 scandal involving an alleged sex tape. Prosecutors had charged Kelly with making a 27-minute video showing acts of sexual contact with a minor, but the jury found him not guilty. Kelly maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and the verdict sparked widespread discussion.

On July 17, 2017, BuzzFeed News published a report alleging that R. Kelly was holding women against their will in a 'cult'-like environment. The report detailed accusations from parents and former associates who claimed Kelly was controlling every aspect of the women's lives. The allegations were part of a larger pattern of accusations against Kelly regarding his treatment of women.

The Lifetime documentary series 'Surviving R. Kelly' premiered on January 3, 2019. The six-part series explored decades of sexual abuse allegations against the R&B singer, featuring interviews with numerous women who claimed to be victims of his predatory behavior. The series reignited public and legal scrutiny into R. Kelly's actions, leading to various investigations.

On February 22, 2019, R. Kelly was indicted on ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims, three of whom were minors at the time of the alleged incidents. These charges came in the wake of renewed public and legal attention following the 'Surviving R. Kelly' documentary. Kelly turned himself in to Chicago police and pled not guilty.

On September 27, 2021, R. Kelly was found guilty by a federal jury in New York on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The jury found that Kelly used his fame to illegally exploit young women and underage girls. This verdict was seen as a significant legal reckoning for the singer, capping long-standing efforts of advocates to bring him to justice for his alleged crimes.

On June 29, 2022, R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison following his conviction on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges. The sentence marked a significant fall from grace for the singer, whose musical career had previously spanned decades of success. The court found that Kelly used his fame and wealth to systematically target and abuse girls and women.

As of February 23, 2023, R. Kelly continues to face additional state and federal charges related to the allegations of sexual abuse. These charges are piled on top of his existing convictions and have added to his legal battles. Prosecutors aim to hold Kelly accountable for a wide range of alleged crimes across multiple jurisdictions, reflecting the extensive nature of the cases against him.