July 8, 2008
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Just a few days short of the one month anniversary of R&B singer R. Kelly’s acquittal, an online petition calling for the boycott of anything the singer touches has begun to gain momentum.

The petition which was put together by a number of black male writers including Dr. William Jelani Cobb calls for the boycotting of the singer/songwriter among other things.

In signing the petition black males are asked to make a personal pledge to never support R. Kelly again in any form or fashion, unless he publicly apologizes for his behavior and seeks help for his long standing sexual conduct.

Titled “Black Men Against the Exp... Women,” the petition launched just days after the verdict was read and is fast approaching 2,000 signatures.

Despite the fact that Kelly was found “not guilty” after years of trial delays and record breaking album sales organizers say this is more about the black community as a whole, R. Kelly is in some ways “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“This is about more than R. Kelly's claims to innocence. It is about our survival as a community. Until we believe that our daughters, sisters, mothers, wives and friends are worthy of justice, until we believe that rape, domestic violence and the casual sexism that permeates our culture are absolutely unacceptable, until we recognize that the first priority of any community is the protection of its young, we will remain in this tragic dead-end.”

I'm glad someone has the guts to do this. He's a fucking pedophile.

I think this is an admirable effort but it's going to fall on deaf ears.

Anxiety said:

What?

Anxiety said:

Sad but true, but if they can get some high profile celebs to take up the cause it may still have some kind of impact.

Cinnie said:

SCNDLS said:

surely they can at least get bill cosby to go off on a rant or two, can't they?

Anxiety said:

lol. Excellent notion.

Anxiety said:

Fingaz crossed. I'd try for Cornel West too.

SCNDLS said:

Anxiety said:

Or worse, R can leave the USA for the next 6 years and start making albums to sell in Europe (including the UK)!

This is about 10 years late.

SCNDLS said:

yeah, where's ricky martin when you need him?

LittleAmy said:

I don't own ANY of his albums.
[Edited 7/8/08 18:27pm]

SCNDLS said:

Jay-Z anyone?

What took so long? I have been boycotting this idiot ever since he arrived on the scene in the early 90s.Never spent a single dime on his crappy music.

I'm a going to stop seeing Roman Polanski movies now. C'mon the man has some good songs. Ignition Remix anyone.

The last one i remember is if i could turn back the hands of time
and when a woman's fed up from an otherwise crappy double album and
that was 10 years ago.

It won't if more people such as yourself, who find it admirable, stand up, get counted, and tell others to sign the petition.

Anxiety said:

Come on, you guys are being too critical... Yes. I do think Robert is a sick twisted bastard, but, I can't take anything away from him musically, he has some good music in his catelog. And while I'm not a necessarily a fan of his, I do think he's a good artist. I respect his music and his ability to create. He knows how to produce a hit when he needs one. Which reminds me of another artist who's site we're on now... curious . But he is a pedophile

mrpunkfunk said:

Nah, R. Kelly's music is garbage. Not only because a lot of his catalog is instantly throwaway, but because it's based on taking whatever ideas are popular at that moment. Kelly's greatest talent is mimicking other acts and other styles, not creating something original and distinctive.

eaglebear4839 said:

that's great and all from a grassroots perspective, but there's got to be a sting from the industry in order for this to make any kind of lasting impact.

even if i sign the petition, i still think it's going to fall on deaf ears.

mrpunkfunk said:

Every last song from the 12 Play album has a whole new meaning for the far worst because of R's irresponsible personal life with teenage girls.

TonyVanDam said:

Yeah, IMO "12 Play" already had the distinction of ripping off the solo album concept Aaron Hall and Teddy Riley devised for Hall before GUY broke up (which is not a surprise, given R. Kelly's history of ripping off The Nasty Man's style).
[Edited 7/8/08 22:05pm]

1. I've never supported him

2. Fuck him

Even if no one cares about this petition, I put my signature on it. R Kelly is a rat who should burn in hell for molesting them girls. Period, end of discussion.

I've been boycotting him since TP.3 Reloaded.

I have no problem admitting I like the majority of his music before that album.

Boycotting him is easy since I've been doing it since he first came on the scene.