Rapper Da Brat had some thoughts about R. Kelly, adding her voice to the many celebrities who have spoken out since Lifetime’s docuseries Surviving R. Kelly seemingly exposed the R&B singer’s decades of sexual abuse and misconduct against Black women and girls, which he has continuously denied.Although the Chicago rapper agrees that R. Kelly — whom she considers “family” as they grew up together — needs help, she is also holding the parents of the victim’s feet to the fire.
Black Culture, Sexual Harassment, and #SurvivingRKelly--join ESSENCE editors for a conversation with Mouse Jones and Ayesha Faines on sexual misconduct and abuse within the Black community.
“I do think he needs help,” she told TMZ while walking the red carpet at the 2019 Bounce Trumpet Awards. “I love him. I grew up with him. He’s kinda like family. We had the same music teacher. We were around the same circles as kids. I’ve never seen him do anything bad, but I don’t believe all these people are lying.”“But at the same time, where are the parents?” Brat asked. “So, I think he needs help for sure. I love him. I hope he don’t get mad at me and I think the parents need to take responsibility. Where is your 14-year-old child? Why are you there? Something wrong with that.”The six-part documentary chronicles decades of the singer’s alleged sexual misconduct and abuse, which he has continuously denied. With more than 50 interviews with Kelly’s victims and survivors, it’s hard for many to continue to ignore his widely-documented abuse.
