In a groundbreaking ruling, a New York court has mandated that R. Kelly, the once-famous American musician currently serving a twenty-year prison sentence for sexual assault and child pornography charges, along with Universal Music Group (UMG), must disburse over $500,000 in music royalties towards restitution for his sexual abuse victims.
R. Kelly, aged 56, stands in debt of approximately $507,234 in victim restitution and other associated criminal fines. Universal Music Group, having control over the artist’s music royalties, will channel these funds as per the court’s directive.
The court had previously found R. Kelly guilty on nine counts of sex trafficking and racketeering, a case that garnered significant attention through the Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” which detailed his crimes and the stories of his victims. In addition to his New York sentence, he received a separate twenty-year sentence for sex crimes in Chicago, although these sentences will run concurrently due to legal maneuvers.
The latest development underscores the downfall of a once-celebrated artist and brings attention to the consequences of unchecked celebrity behavior, highlighting the harm they can inflict on those who cross their paths.
Prior to his conviction, R. Kelly enjoyed a stellar career, earning the moniker ‘the King of R&B,’ while self-identifying as ‘The Pied Piper of R&B,’ a title that intriguingly echoes the folklore of a man leading away children from a village.