Jermaine Dupri is standing firm on R. Kelly’s musical impact, even as the singer’s legacy remains clouded by his criminal convictions. During an Instagram Live session on Tuesday (October 1), the iconic producer made it clear that while R. Kelly has faced serious legal issues, his contributions to R&B are unmatched.
“R. Kelly put the ‘R’ in R&B,” Dupri boldly stated. “We gotta stop playing around. I get it. I understand. I’m not here to talk about none of that stuff he’s caught up in. He is the R in R&B. Hands down.”
Dupri’s defense comes at a time when R. Kelly’s reputation has been severely damaged due to his sex crime convictions. However, JD focused solely on the artist’s musical influence, refusing to overlook the undeniable mark Kelly has left on the genre.
The legendary producer didn’t stop there. He also addressed the current state of R&B, expressing concern over the lack of church influence in today’s younger generation, which he believes has diminished the soulfulness in the music.
“I don’t think these kids are going to church like we used to,” Dupri added. “That church influence, that soul—it’s missing from R&B today.”
While his comments may spark debate, Jermaine Dupri’s unwavering support for R. Kelly’s musical genius shines a light on the ongoing conversation surrounding separating the artist from the art.
