R. Kelly: Every Scandal and Controversy From Aaliyah to Joycelyn and Azriel

1991

Although Kelly didn’t enter into his star status until the following year, court documents show he was already gaining a negative reputation. Accuser Tiffany Hawkins claimed Kelly started having sex with her in 1991, she was only 15 at the time and he was 24. The relationship ended when she turned 18.

Tiffany, in 1996 she sued Kelly for “personal injuries and emotional distress” she endured during their three-year relationship. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the case was settled outside of court. Hawkins was given $250,000 when the case closed in 1998.

1992

The singer became known for his provocative music, although many thought his lyrics were fiction, not fact. He released his debut album Born into the ‘90s after he signed with Jive Records. One of the songs in the album, “She’s Got That Vibe,” reads a very telling lyric: “Little cute Aaliyah’s got it.”

1993

Kelly solidifies his sex symbol status with the release of his solo album 12 Play. Titles of his songs include “Bump n’ Grind” and “Your Body’s Callin.”

1994

At the age of 27, Kelly reportedly married his protégé and rising star Aaliyah, who was 15 at the time. Vibe magazine uncovered the original marriage license which suggested Aaliyah was 18 at the time of her marriage. For those familiar with Surviving R. Kelly, the documentary claimed the two wed as a cover-up for Aaliyah’s pregnancy with Kelly.

1995

The marriage between Kelly and Aaliyah was annulled the following year. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the two were pushed to annul by Aalyiah’s parents.

1996

Kelly got married, again, to dancer and choreographer Andrea Lee. The two went on to have three children together.  Andrea said in Surviving R. Kelly he was an absent father and claimed he was abusive. Kelly’s business manager said he felt hurt by her comments and he was never arrested for domestic violence.

2000

In 2000, Jim Derogatis and Abdon M. Pallasch published an exposé on the rapper and his relations with minors in the Chicago Sun-Times. The article outlined Kelly’s relationship with Aaliyah and Tiffany. The article stated Chicago police had investigated the allegations twice but dropped their research because the girl (s) would not cooperate.

2001

Following the release of the story, Derogatis, 55, anonymously received a videotape that appeared to capture Kelly having sex with a young woman. He decided to turn the tape into the Sun-Times. The newspaper then decided to turn the footage into the police— concerned the woman featured was underaged.

According to one of Kelly’s backup singers Sparkle, the girl in the video was clearly her niece, who she had introduced to Kelly when she was only 12 years old. Although, she and her parents have denied she was the minor in the video. He would later deny the accusation in 2002.

Tracy Sampson

Former intern of Kelly’s and aspiring rapper, Tracy Sampson, filed a lawsuit against Kelly claiming he started a sexual relationship with her when she was only 17. She claimed she was “treated as his personal sex object and cast aside,” she said in her legal case against him. “He often tried to control every aspect of my life including who I would see and where I would go.” The case was later settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

2002

After much deliberation, the Chicago Sun-Times decided to run the story on their anonymous tip. They reported Kelly was being investigated by police after a tape of him having sex with a minor was sent to the outlet.

Bootleg copies of the sex tape began to circulate and were being sold online. Based on the minor’s appearance, Sparkle predicted she was 14 at the time it was filmed. Kelly can be heard on the tape referring to the girl by her first name, the outlet reported. He can be seen urinating on the minor in the footage. He denied the allegations.

Sued by Patrice Jones

In April 2002, Kelly was sued by former girlfriend Patrice Jones. She claimed they engaged in a sexual relationship when she was 16 and became pregnant as a result. She alleged Kelly forced her to terminate the pregnancy. The case was settled outside of court.

Sued by Montina Woods

In May 2002, dancer Montina “Tina” Woods sued Kelly for allegedly taping their sexual encounters without her consent. The tape was claimed to be circulating and sold off. The case was settled outside of court.

Child Pornography Charges

In June 2002, Kelly was arrested and charged with 21 counts of child pornography. The arrest came as a result from the second tape. The singer was released on $750,000 bail and denied the allegations. It would be another six years until Kelly went to trial for the charges.

2005

Kelly’s wife, Andrea, filed for an ordered of protection in 2005. The pair later reconciled and rescinded the protection order shortly after.

2007

Andrea gave an interview with Essence magazine where she seemed to be supportive of him at the time. “What doesn’t break you makes you stronger, and I’m living proof,” she said. “I know the allegations against my husband don’t reflect on me as an individual. They don’t reflect on me as a mom or as a wife, and they don’t reflect on me in my everyday life.”

2008

Kelly’s trial finally begins in 2008, after a six-year delay. The case was reduced to 14 charges. Kelly was found not guilty of all charges as the jury could not determine if the woman on the tape was a minor.

2009

Andrea and Kelly divorced in January 2009.

2014

Kelly was scheduled to perform at the Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, but it was canceled due to protests. “The people of Columbus didn’t feel that R. Kelly’s reputation was reflective of their community and took to social media to adamantly express their opinions,” the festival’s communications director, Melissa Dickson, said in a statement. “FMMF heard their concerns and took action.”

2015

In an interview with “HuffPost Live,” Kelly stormed off the set after being asked about his previous sexual abuse allegations.

2017: Cult Allegations

In July of 2017, Buzzfeed published an explosive article detailing how Kelly was allegedly holding women against their will in a sex “cult.” Several people cited in the article alleged Kelly lives with an entourage of six women between the ages of 18 and 31. Following the release of the story, people began to petition the rapper and his music, trending #MuteRKelly.

Following the release of the article, the parents of Joycelyn Savage, Timothy and Jonjelyn, spoke out about their daughter’s relationship with the rapper. They claimed he manipulated her into cutting off contact with her family and the rest of the world.

Joycelyn, now 24, spoke out about her parent’s claim and denied those allegations in a video obtained by TMZ. She begged her parents to stop speaking out.

Jerhonda Johnson Pace

In August of 2017, Jerhonda Johnson Pace broke her nondisclosure agreement with the rapper and opened up to Buzzfeed. She told the outlet she was 15 when she met Kelly as a fan in 2008 outside of the Chicago courtroom where he was on trial for child pornography. She alleged they had a sexual relationship starting when she was 16. He continued to deny the allegations.

Kitti Jones

In October of 2017, former Dallas DJ Kitti Jones spoke out about her relationship with Kelly which seemed very similar to the story told in Buzzfeed. She said Kelly starved her, coerced her into sexual encounters with other women and physically abused her. Kelly has denied Jones’ claim.

2018: Spotify Removes Kelly’s Music

The streaming service removed Kelly’s music from its playlists in May 2018. The removal was a result of Spotify’s new terms for public hate content and hateful conduct. The brand states they do “not tolerate hate content that expressly and principally promotes, advocates, or incites hatred or violence.”

Faith Rodgers

20-year-old Faith Rodgers sued Kelly later that month accusing him of assaulting her. She said during their relationship, which started when she was 19, he “mentally, sexually and verbally” abused her. She also claims he gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Kelly has denied Rodgers’ claim.

‘I Admit’

Kelly finally responded to the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by releasing a song, “I Admit” in July 2018. The 19-minute song shared on SoundCloud addressed the claims through his lyrics. “What’s the definition of a cult? / What’s the definition of a sex slave? / Go to the dictionary, look it up / Let me know I’ll be here waiting,” read the song. “Say I’m abusing these women, what the f–k that’s some absurd s–t (what?)/ They’re brainwashed, really? (Really)/ Kidnapped, really? (Really)/ Can’t eat, really? (Really)/ Real talk, that s–t sound silly (yeah).”

Screening of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’

In December 2018, Lifetime held a screening for their new documentary Surviving R. Kelly aimed to tell the stories of the parents and loved ones who suffered alleged abuse at Kelly’s hands. The movie screening was evacuated after the venue received anonymous threats.

2019: The Premiere

The six-part, three-night series aired in January 2019. The documentary told the story of Kelly’s long history of alleged abuse and sexual misconduct against women. In addition to the victims, several celebrities spoke out against Kelly in the documentary. The project included more than 50 interviews.

Following the release of the documentary, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced an investigation into the allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse towards women.

In the same month, riots were held outside of Kelly’s Chicago studio, he was denied from hosting concert Spring Jam due to security concerns and he was dropped from his record label RCA/Sony.

Charges and Indictment

After a never-before-seen sex tape was turned into Chicago investigators that appeared to show Kelly having sex with a minor, he was arrested and charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection with four women, three of which were underaged. Kelly was arrested and released on $100,000 bond in February 2019.

Interview Outburst

In March of 2019, Kelly sat with Gayle King on CBS This Morning in an attempt to clear his name. During the interview, he jumped out of his seat and started screaming, “I’ve been assassinated,” and “I’m fighting for my f—king life.”

Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary

Following Kelly’s outburst, CBS aired a follow-up interview with Kelly’s girlfriends Joycelyn and Azriel Clary, the next day. Both women denied being held against their will and villainized their parents for trying to bring them home. According to King, Kelly was in the room during the interview.

Failure to Pay Child Support

Kelly was found in contempt for failure to pay child support and was ordered into custody after the airing on the first interview. In order to be released, Kelly paid $161,663.

The same day, Detroit authorities opened an investigation into a woman’s claim that she had sex with the rapper in 2001 when she was only 13.

Another Sex Tape

Also in March of 2019, women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred held a press conference with a man named Gary Dennis who claimed to have found another sex tape featuring Kelly. According to Dennis, the video featured Kelly engaging in sexual acts with “more than one” underaged girl. Kelly’s lawyers denied it was him.

Lost Civil Suit

In April, Kelly lost a civil suit against a woman claiming he had a sexual relationship with her when she was 16 and suing on the grounds of underaged abuse. He lost by default when he failed to show for the court date.

Sex Crime Charges

The rapper was hit with 11 new sexual abuse and assault charges on May 30. Four of the charges come from the most serious class of felony crimes not including murder. The charges in this instance were in relation to an alleged encounter that took place in 2010. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in July.

Federal Charges – Denied Bail

On July 11, Kelly was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago on three federal sex trafficking charges. The charges include: kidnapping, forced labor, sexual exploitation of a child and racketeering. His lawyers continued to state the alleged conduct is decades old and similar to his previous state charges he was acquitted of. Kelly was denied bail and pleaded not guilty on July 16.

Crisis Manager Steps Down

Darrell Johnson stepped down as Kelly’s crisis manager hours after speaking on his behalf on CBS This Morning. He said he “wouldn’t leave [his] daughter with anybody that’s accused of pedophilia.” He claimed to have stepped down from the position due to “personal reasons” although he “believes in R. Kelly.”

Minnesota Charges

On August 5, Kelly was charged with prostitution and solicitation in Minnesota, alleging the rapper had paid a 17-year-old girl $200 to dance naked with him in 2001. Prior to the additional charges, Kelly entered a plea of not guilty to five federal charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering from women and girls who attended his concerts on August 5. He was denied bail. Later that month, his lawyers filed a motion to move Kelly out of solitary confinement.

Bail Denied

Kelly requested bail again for his New York case in October, but his request was denied. The judge agreed with prosecutors he is a flight risk and a possible threat to witnesses. His New York trial date is set for May 18, 2020, just weeks after his Chicago trial on April 27.

Joycelyn Savage Speaks Out

One of Kelly’s live-in girlfriends who spoke with King, alleged Kelly sexually and physically abused her, as well as ordered her to have two forced abortions on November 25.

“We know the real facts, and it was not until the money ran out that she decided anything was wrong. Hopefully people will see it for the obvious profiteering it is,” Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg tweeted in response to her statement.

New Charge Related to Aaliyah

On December 5, Kelly was hit with another charge of racketeering in relation to his fraudulent marriage to Aaliyah.

Still Claims He’s Not Guilty

Kelly was arraigned on superseding indictment filed against him in New York on December 18. Kelly tuned in via video link while he was in a courtroom in Chicago. He was accused of bribing an Illinois government employee to lie about Aaliyah’s age for marriage documents in 1994. Kelly pleaded not guilty.

Azriel Speaks Out

After Azriel reportedly moved out of the home she shared with Kelly and Joycelyn, see took to social media to speak her truth on Sunday, December 22. “If you think I created social media to publicize my private life [you’re] sadly mistaken. If I choose to share, say or not say anything that is 100% my choice whether now or in the future. Love me or hate me I’m not here to appease you, nor am I your gossip outlet.”

March 2020

Kelly was hit with more charges on March 13 after the singer was accused of having unprotected sex with a woman in 2015 without disclosing he had herpes. The new charges were included in a revised indictment in New York. Just one week prior, Kelly pleaded not guilty to several sexual assault charges in Chicago.

September 2021

In September 2021, Kelly was convicted on one count of racketeering based on sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, kidnapping and eight violations of the sex-trafficking statute, the Mann Act. He pleaded not guilty prior to the conviction.

June 2022

The disgraced musician was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 29 after he was convicted on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in 2021.
Prosecutors asked for Kelly to be sentenced for more than 25 years behind bars, while his defense attorneys asked for 10 or fewer. They argued the prosecutors’ request was “tantamount to a life sentence.”
CNN reported that Kelly showed no emotion as his sentencing was revealed. Meanwhile, his victims held hands and prayed as U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly read the sentence.

Motion of Acquittal

On November 15, 2022, R. Kelly’s legal team filed a judgment of acquittal, citing insufficient evidence “to sustain a conviction” on three counts of child pornography and three counts of inducement, per court documents obtained and viewed by In Touch.

Court’s Response to Motion of Acquittal

The United States government opposed the singer’s appeal, writing in December 14, 2022, court docs obtained by In Touch, “As the Court previously held in rejecting Kelly’s motions for acquittal at the conclusion of the government’s case-in-chief and at the conclusion of all the evidence, Kelly’s arguments find no support in the record or applicable law. The record shows that the jury reached its verdicts of guilty on six counts based on abundant evidence. Because Kelly has not come close to demonstrating a basis for overturning those verdicts, his motion should be denied.”

2023

The disgraced singer was found guilty on six counts of child pornography in September 2022. While prosecutors in the case had requested a 25-year sentence, Kelly was sentenced to 20 years behind bars on February 23, In Touch can confirm. 

Nineteen years of his sentence will be served concurrent with the 30-year sentence he’s currently serving with the final year being served after.