Robert Sylvester Kelly, more famously known as R. Kelly, began his journey as an R&B artist in the 1990s, releasing numerous best-selling songs and albums; but his career promptly ended after receiving a life in prison sentence. 

      Kelly’s music career reached a climax after producing his first #1 charting self-titled album in 1995 and stayed charted for 68 weeks, according to Billboard. His career would later peak after victims came out against him, leading up to his indictment. 

     The highly-loved R&B singer avoided many accusations and cases involving sexual assault and trafficking for decades, but faced his final trial on Sept 21, 2021, with nine total charges against him.The trial brought attention to how celebrities impact their audiences and what they are fully capable of pursuing.

     “He let the fame get to his head. When artists start to get fame, they start changing the way they view themselves, so he started viewing himself as a powerful person,” senior Diamond Walker said.

     As an artist constantly in the spotlight topping charts year after year, Kelly used that fame as not only one victim spoke up, but nine young women came out about their experience. 

     “He felt like he could do anything at the time because he felt like he was on top of the world,” junior Landon Thomas said.

     Many artists have struggled with power. Kelly, along with other artists such as OJ Simpson, Trey Songz, and Ann Marie, primarily used money and manipulation, which was revealed in their court cases, in order to cover up illegal operations. 

     After information was released by Kelly’s victims, former supporters and the general audience protested the fact that he was able to avoid conviction. For years, Kelly was able to steer clear of punishment due to his “honorable” reputation as he was not found guilty until 25 years later according to BBC News. 

     “When people don’t want to believe something, they are able to hide it, just like he did with his cases,” Thomas said.

     According to the prosecutor against Kelly, Elizabeth Geddes, “The defendant set rules, lots of them, and he demanded complete obedience.” Many protestors believe Kelly was able to keep many secrets due to his large fortune.

      “It’s easier for an artist who has money to hide it because they are able to provide for people and they feel like they owe you something,” junior Bruno Silva said.

       In Kelly’s case, although he was highly successful as an artist, money couldn’t hide his actions forever. 

     The music industry has shown a large impact on their audience since music and artists constantly circulate through everyday lives.

     “The trial changed the view of R&B rappers in general. They get put into one category because they rap about drugs and money, which impacts younger viewers and encourages them to do reckless things,” Walker said.

     Kelly possessed a large platform of viewers of all ages. He primarily focused on rapping and singing about drug use and illegal actions, but his audience did not realize at the time how realistic his songs were as he practiced what he preached in real life.

     “The music industry was probably in shock, but I feel like it also shows what people can really do in the music industry,” Silva said.

     The music industry gets large amounts of attention and fortune that are brought upon the artists and their scandals as well as the music label. 

     In most cases, male artists are found guilty of a common charge involving women or children. All too often, the artists do so to gain a sense of control embedded in their fame and entitlement according to Geddes. 

     “Men with power are harmful because what he did opens people’s eyes on how men can use their power and use it for evil,” Walker said.

      As artists continue to conceal the truth and create legal issues, the music industry will continue to suffer bad press and revolve around a negative perspective.  

     “Men have a lot of power and it just depends on how they choose to use it. In this case, R. Kelly chose to use it in a negative way,” Silva said.