Security concerns have caused Illinois officials to mute R. Kelly.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Department of Agriculture has denied a permit to organizers of a concert, featuring the R&B singer called Spring Break Jam. The concert was scheduled to be held at the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on April 6.
The concerns have been sparked by an increase in protest activity intended to bring attention to the singer following the airing of the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, including one that took place last Wednesday outside of Kelly’s Chicago recording studio.
Surviving R. Kelly features extensive interviews with the alleged victims and survivors of R. Kelly’s sexual misconduct and abuse, which he has continuously denied.
Denise Albert, a spokesperson for The Department of Agriculture, stated that the issuing of a permit for the Spring Break Jam could be reconsidered and possibly approved in the future, but not with Kelly on the bill.
The organizers had already begun promoting Kelly’s appearance at the Spring Break Jam on a now-removed Eventbrite page, with tickets starting at $75.
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Kelly appears undeterred by efforts to effectively cancel his career. He issued a New Year’s Day message on his Facebook page, informing his fans that he would be releasing new music soon. He also held a flamboyant birthday party last Wednesday at a local Chicago club.
R. Kelly’s lawyer Steven Greenberg continues to deny allegations of the singer’s wrongdoing. He told ABC News, “There are no underage victims. There are no sexual assault victims. There are no victims of domestic violence that they’re going to find. It just didn’t ever happen.”
