RCA Records Won’t Release R. Kelly’s New Music Amid ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Controversy: Report
R. Kelly hasn't been doing well in the aftermath of Lifetime's Surviving R. Kelly. After his family and previous collaborators denounced him, the veteran R&B singer's record label could also be distancing itself from the singer.
According to TMZ (Jan. 14), RCA Records/Sony Music will not produce or release any of the "I Admit" singer's new music nor will they put money behind any of his projects until the reported criminal investigations in Georgia and Chicago have concluded. Much like artists who have offered Kelly a sliver of support, the label, who has released Kelly's last four albums, has also faced heavy scrutiny for working with the embattled singer.
TMZ’s sources say the label knows there will be a viral firestorm if they continue to release his music, but they have to proceed with caution. Sources with knowledge about Kelly's situation say that the singer has been in the studio working on his next project to fulfill his contract, which requires two new albums. If the label attempts to drop him without any formal criminal charges to justify terminating the deal, then Kelly could sue them. However, there's a chance that they could mutually end their deal.
TMZ also says that Kelly isn't happy with his label situation at the moment. According to their sources, if RCA/Sony doesn't enable him, then he wants out of the deal. Prior to the docuseries, Kelly had been releasing music via Soundcloud and social media without much support from the label.
XXL has reached out to RCA Records for comment.
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