Jermaine Dupri Defends R. Kelly’s Legacy Despite Convictions: ‘He’s The R In R&B’

Jermaine Dupri recently spoke out in defense of R. Kelly’s musical legacy, despite the singer’s tarnished reputation due to multiple sex crime convictions. During an Instagram Live on October 1, the iconic producer acknowledged Kelly’s personal issues but emphasized his unparalleled influence on R&B.

“R. Kelly put the ‘R’ in R&B,” Dupri stated. “We gotta stop playing around. I get it. I understand. I’m not here to talk about none of that [controversy]. He is the R in R&B. Hands down.”

Dupri also reflected on the current state of R&B, noting that the genre lacks the soulful depth it once had, partly because younger artists may not have the church background that shaped earlier generations of musicians.

Meanwhile, R. Kelly continues to seek legal recourse for his convictions. In July, his legal team petitioned the United States Supreme Court to overturn his convictions based on a technicality. Kelly’s lawyers argue that the PROTECT Act, which prosecutors used to secure his charges, should not apply to crimes committed in the 1990s, as the law was enacted in 2003.

Kelly is attempting to challenge the charges under the premise that the statute of limitations should apply. The Supreme Court is expected to review whether to hear his appeal in the coming months.

In 2022, Kelly was found guilty on six of 13 federal charges, including child pornography and the sexual abuse of minors, leading to his current imprisonment.

Despite Kelly’s legal troubles, Dupri’s recent comments underscore the lasting impact of the singer’s contributions to R&B, even as the controversy surrounding him remains a subject of public debate.