Time’s Up’s Women Color coalition is calling on all corporations and venues to boycott R. Kelly due to numerous sexual abuse allegations over the years. On Monday (Apr. 30), the Time’s Up organization announced the #MuteRKelly initiative.
“To our fellow women color,” reads the statement. “Together, we call on corporations and venues with ties to R. Kelly to join us and insist on safety and dignity for women all kinds.”
The Women Color committee includes director Ava DuVernay, television mogul Shonda Rhimes, and actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell. DuVernay addressed the initiative on Twitter, explaining the campaign’s demands and goals.
“We demand investigations into R. Kelly’s abuse allegations made by women color + their families for two decades,” she wrote. “We call on those who prit from his music to cut ties.” Additionally, Rhimes published the same statement on her Twitter account.
Moreover, the #MuteRKelly movement hopes to reach Kelly’s label, RCA Records, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and concert giant Ticketmaster. Smollett-Bell expanded on these efforts in a statement to The Associated Press.
“We stand linked with our sisters and will no longer tolerate the predatory behavior R. Kelly to go unchecked,” she said. “This is a call to action to #MuteRKelly. His music must be turned down and the voices these brave survivors must be heard.”
John Legend co-signed the movement today. “I stand with the women #timesup,” he wrote. “#muterkelly.” Questlove added: “Standing alongside the women and sisters in the LONG OVERDUE CANCELLATION Rkelly. #TimesUp #MuteRKelly.”
Multiple women have accused R. Kelly abusive behavior for more than a decade. In 2008, he was acquitted on 14 charges making child pornography. This year, he was accused keeping a 14-year-old girl as a sex “pet.” Last year, others accused him underage sex, physical abuse, and keeping women in a cult-like environment. Kelly denied these allegations.
Many other artists have also blasted R. Kelly over repeated accusations. Vic Mensa called him a “scumbag,” while Vince Staples declared him a “fucking child molestor.” “He’s a child molester and he pees on people, and he can’t read or write, and he didn’t go to jail,” Staples said. “I’m a good person. R. Kelly is a piece fucking shit.”
UPDATE: A representative for R. Kelly has responded to the #MuteRKelly campaign. “Kelly supports the pro-women goals the Time’s Up movement,” reads the statement Variety. “We understand criticizing a famous artist is a good way to draw attention to those goals–and in this case, it is unjust and f-target.”
Additionally, the rep said Kelly supports Time’s Up. “We fully support the rights women to be empowered to make their own choices,” the statement continues. “Time’s Up has neglected to speak with any the women who welcome R. Kelly’s support, and it has rushed to judgment without the facts. Soon it will become clear Mr. Kelly is the target a greedy, conscious and malicious conspiracy to demean him, his family, and the women with whom he spends his time.”
But he won’t let the controversy mute his accomplishments. “Kelly’s music is a part American and African-American culture that should never—and will never—be silenced,” they add. “Since America was born, black men and women have been lynched for having sex or for being accused it. We will vigorously resist this attempted public lynching a black man who has made extraordinary contributions to our culture.”