Embattled R&B veteran singer, R. Kelly, made a paid appearance on Sunday at a club in Illinois’ capital city, amidst sexual abuse accusations levelled against him in the past months.
Hours before his performance, the 52-year-old singer posted a video on his Instagram page asking the media to “take it easy” on him because “this is how I got to get paid now, for right now.”
“I want the media to take it easy on me, man,” he said. “And this is how I got to get paid now, for right now.
“So I got to go do this event, and it’s a party, so when you see me in the club with a couple of drinks in my hand, and chilling, please, take it easy.
“Appreciate it, y’all. Thanks,” he said.
According to reports, about 100 people were at the 450-person-capacity club to see Kelly, who arrived at 1.30am. A $100 entrance fee was lowered to $50 once the singer arrived.
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Kelly thanked his supporters, sang a line from one of his songs for 28 seconds, then spent about 35 minutes taking selfies and conversing with fans.
Kelly, 52, was charged in February with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse that accused him of assaulting four women during a roughly 10-year period starting in the late 1990s. Three of the accusers were underage at the time. He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
Since his arrest, the cash-strapped singer has struggled to pay child support, legal fees and everyday expenses because of the cancellation of Illinois concerts and a record contract, as well as the removal of his songs from streaming services, he wrote.
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