Erykah Badu reportedly defended R. Kelly at a concert and fans aren't happy
When fans went to see Erykah Badu in Chicago on Saturday, they probably didn’t expect to hear the singer defend R. Kelly — who has been accused of sexual abuse by multiple women — during her concert.
But according to numerous sources on Twitter, that’s exactly what happened, the Independent reports. One person tweeted that Badu “tried to justify and defend R. Kelly’s actions and reputation during her set.”
I really want to say how much i loved Erykah Badu’s concert tonight.
But i can’t get over how she tried to justify and defend R. Kelly’s actions and reputation during her set… I’m so disappointed…
— jacque (@jacquemarquez_) January 20, 2019
Another person quoted Badu as saying at the event, “What if one of the people who was assaulted by R. Kelly becomes an offender? We gonna crucify them too?” The same person noted that a number of people booed the singer at that point.
“what if one of the people who was assaulted by R Kelly becomes an offender? we gonna crucify them too?” -erykah badu at her chicago concert
— IG: @boydonavin (@boyDonavin) January 20, 2019
she mentioned r kelly and we boo’d so she should’ve known the temp of the room then
— IG: @boydonavin (@boyDonavin) January 20, 2019
A different fan tweeted that Badu “said that she is praying for him and hopes that he gets help,” referring to Kelly. But that person said she didn’t believe Badu was “trying to justify or condone his actions.”
She said that she is praying for him and hopes that he gets help.
— PaigeThePlug (@PaigeThePlug) January 20, 2019
She wasn’t trying to justify or condone his actions but was saying the she hopes he gets some help! That’s what I took from it
— PaigeThePlug (@PaigeThePlug) January 20, 2019
The reports about the Chicago concert come after Badu shared several vague Instagram posts that fans speculated were about Kelly. The Independent pointed out that Badu seemed to confirm that she was referencing the allegations against the rapper when she responded to a fan’s Instagram comment.
“I loved you until I realized you support a rapist and pedophile as your brother,” the person wrote on Badu’s Instagram post.
“Correction: Love has very little to do with supporting others’ bad choices. Love is wisdom,” Badu wrote back. The singer also reportedly declined to appear in Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly docuseries.
After allegations against Kelly resurfaced in Surviving R. Kelly, reports emerged that Sony Music has parted ways with the rapper. There are numerous allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against Kelly, including multiple allegations of sexual assault. For Kelly’s part, his attorney said in the Dateline special Accused: The R. Kelly Story that “all of these women are lying.”
Whatever Badu’s intentions were with the reported comments at her concert, plenty of fans weren’t happy with how things went.
Erykah Badu really don’t like black women as she pretends she does.
— Hefty Bag Shawty (@Myrtle_Urkel) January 20, 2019
It hurts me to say this but…
Erykah Badu is CANCELLED 😫
She’s an R.Kelly supporter 😭😭😭😭
— ? ??🖤💚 ? (@nubianlocz) January 20, 2019
Erykah Badu is ruining her legacy over R Kelly ?! what a fucking joke.
— Yù (@_AndJade) January 20, 2019
Your reminder to unfollow R Kelly and Erykah Badu. Unless you support it
Then let us know so we can unfollow you ??
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) January 20, 2019
I really don’t want to believe Erykah Badu is sacrificing her music legacy for R. Kelly. I don’t. everyone has their ignorance and places that deeply disappoint me, including my favorite artists (and myself), but supporting child predators is such a nefarious thing to do.
— Myles E. Johnson (@hausmuva) January 20, 2019
Badu hasn’t addressed the backlash on Twitter.
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