During his appearance on 'The Bootleg Kev' podcast, the 'Maybe I Deserve' singer is asked to name which artists he thinks should be on the Mount Rushmore of RnB.
- Aug 20, 2022
AceShowbiz - Tank believes that despite his sexual abuse accusations, R. Kelly is still one of the best R&B artists in the world. During his appearance on "The Bootleg Kev" podcast, the "Maybe I Deserve" singer was asked to name which artists he thinks should be on the R&B Mount Rushmore.
To the question, Tank responded, "Marvin Gaye, [Beyonce Knowles], Michael Jackson." He looked hesitant as he took a pause. When he was urged to "just say his name," Tank could not help but laugh awkwardly.
After much consideration, the singer eventually said, "R. Kelly." Host Bootleg Kev then exclaimed, "R. Kelly, there we go! God damn it! Art only, obviously." Tank couldn't agree more with the host's statement.
After a clip from the episode surfaced online, it unsurprisingly sparked chatters among Internet users as it drew mixed responses. Some people agreed with Tank, noting that R. Kelly did have so many hits throughout his career.
"Regardless of his situation now. He gave us so many hits over the years so many great songs it's undeniable," one person opined. Another person noted, "Fact! He is in fact the KING of R&B…just like MJ is the king of pop period." A fan also stressed that his controversy "can't take his talent away ‼️"
However, some others refused to give R. Kelly any credits. "Nah, IDC about how talented he is, we shouldn't be glorifying a monster. Conversations about Rap!$+ Kelly shoukd always lead with his numerous pedo sex crimes and violent abuse against minors and young women," one user said. "We all know his talent. We don't need to go over it again. And people need to start questioning WHY they insist on bringing him up in these conversations. The way some of you ride for him is exactly how the parents of these girls so easily handed them over to him."
"You can't separate his art. He is a sick man along with his songs/art," someone else echoed the sentiment. Meanwhile, a user simply wrote, "Tank, shut up."
R. Kelly, who is already serving a 30-year sentence after being found guilty in a New York court on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, is facing 13 charges relating to child pornography and enticing minors to have sex. He is also charged with obstruction of justice after he allegedly interfered with a 2008 trial which involved state child abuse charges.
Most recently, a woman who claimed to his former Goddaughter, testified in court the "Trapped in the Closet" hitmaker had sex with her "hundreds of times" before she turned aged 18, beginning when she was 15 and he was in his 30s. The alleged victim, who is now 38 years old, said that it was during this period that the alleged "penetration" began at his home on the North Side of the city, explaining to the jury that she was 15 when they first began having intercourse.
