Why is R&B music more explicit than ever? It’s complicated.
February 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Tank was nervous after sending his manager a preview of “When We” — he’d never released a song that explicit. “He’s like, ‘You’re crazy, but it’s jammin'!’” the R&B singer recalled.
The Year of the Slap: Pop culture moments in 2022
January 7, 2023 GMTTaylor Swift was up. Elon Musk was in, out, in and maybe out again. Tom Cruise was back. BTS stepped aside, and so did Serena Williams, and Tom Brady too — oops, scratch that.
But the slap? The slap was everywhere.
R. Kelly associate seeks legal fees after acquittal
October 18, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly's former business manager asked a federal judge to award him $850,000 in attorneys fees after a jury acquitted him during the same trial in Chicago at which the R&B singer was convicted of child pornography charges.
5 years on, key #MeToo voices take stock of the movement
October 15, 2022 GMTOnce again, disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein sits in a courtroom, on trial in Los Angeles while the reckoning the accusations against him launched marks a significant milestone this month: It's been five years since a brief hashtag — #MeToo — galvanized a broad social movement.
Twitter, Instagram block Kanye West over antisemitic posts
October 10, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West once suggested slavery was a choice. He called the COVID-19 vaccine “the mark of the beast.” Earlier this month, he was criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to his collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Judge: R. Kelly to pay $300,000 to victim in sex crimes case
September 28, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge signaled Wednesday that she plans to order disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly to pay more than $300,000 to one his victims in a decades-long scheme to use his fame to sexually abuse young fans.
Today in History: September 27, Taliban take power
September 27, 2022 GMTToday in History
Today is Tuesday, Sept. 27, the 270th day of 2022. There are 95 days left in the year.
EXPLAINER: R. Kelly acquitted on rigging trial. Why?
September 15, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors this week scored multiple convictions against R. Kelly at the singer’s trial in Chicago, but they lost on the headline charge — that Kelly obstructed justice by rigging his 2008 state child pornography trial, at which jurors acquitted him.
R. Kelly convicted of child porn, enticing girls for sex
September 15, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A federal jury in Chicago convicted R. Kelly on Wednesday of producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex after a monthlong trial in his hometown, delivering another legal blow to the Grammy Award winning singer who was once one of the world’s biggest R&B stars.
R. Kelly timeline: Shining star to convicted sex offender
September 14, 2022 GMTR&B superstar R. Kelly’s musical accomplishments have long been shadowed by allegations that he sexually abused women and children. Now the singer has been found guilty in his hometown of Chicago on child pornography charges, but acquitted of a conspiracy to obstruct justice charge accusing him fixing his state child pornography trial in 2008.
Jury gets R. Kelly’s child pornography and trial-fixing case
September 13, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jurors began deliberating Tuesday at R. Kelly's federal trial in Chicago, sorting through a month of evidence and arguments on charges accusing the singer of producing child pornography, enticing minors for sex and rigging his 2008 child porn trial.
Prosecutor: R. Kelly ‘degraded’ girl for his ‘sick pleasure’
September 13, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly parlayed his fame as an R&B superstar to sexually abuse minors and record that abuse on video, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the singer's federal trial on charges of child pornography and of rigging his 2008 state child pornography trial.
Defense rests at R. Kelly trial on trial-fixing charges
September 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The defense for R. Kelly and two co-defendants rested Friday at the R&B singer’s trial on charges of trial-fixing, child pornography and enticing minors for sex, with closing arguments and the start of jury deliberations scheduled for early next week.
Ex-employee testifies he now doubts R. Kelly abuse denials
September 9, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — An ex-business manager for R. Kelly and his co-defendant at the singer's federal trial in Chicago expressed doubts on the witness stand Thursday about Kelly’s insistence in the 2000s that he never sexually abused minors — testifying a day after the former employee told jurors he had had no reason to doubt his boss was telling the truth.
R. Kelly ex-manager says he believed singer’s abuse denials
September 8, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Singer R. Kelly’s former business manager told jurors Wednesday he believed the singer's denials of sexual misconduct that emerged against his boss, adding that he came to understand that fending off false claims was a cost of doing business for a superstar.
Music writer fights subpoena to testify at R. Kelly trial
September 6, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A music writer who spent decades raising awareness about sexual misconduct allegations against R.
R. Kelly’s lawyers start defense; he says he won’t testify
September 1, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly's lawyers began mounting a defense Thursday in Chicago against federal charges of child pornography, enticement of minors for sex and fixing his 2008 state trial, with an initial witness contending the singer was himself a victim of blackmail.
Prosecutors rest in R. Kelly’s trial-fixing, child porn case
August 30, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday at R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago after presenting two weeks of testimony, including from four Kelly accusers, in their bid to prove the singer enticed underage girls for sex, produced child pornography and successfully rigged his 2008 state trial.
2 more R. Kelly accusers testify at trial in Chicago
August 30, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Two more accusers took the witness stand at R. Kelly’s child pornography and solicitation of minors trial Monday, bringing to three the total number of accusers to have testified to date at the federal trial in Chicago.
Witness: R. Kelly manager threatened her over stolen video
August 25, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A former girlfriend of R. Kelly wept on the witness stand Thursday as she testified that a Kelly business manager told her in 2007 she should have been killed for causing the R&B star so much trouble by stealing a video from a gym bag full of recordings of Kelly having sex with women and girls.
Defense: Key government witness tried to extort R. Kelly
August 24, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Defense lawyers at R. Kelly’s child pornography trial in Chicago sought Wednesday to portray a key government witness as a liar and extortionist, contending the man first approached the R&B star in 2001 and demanded that Kelly pay $1 million or he’d go public with video that could put Kelly in serious legal peril.
Witness: Desperate R. Kelly offered $1M for return of video
August 24, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A former merchandizing agent for R. Kelly testified Tuesday that the singer offered him $1 million to find a VHS tape featuring Kelly as prosecutors sought to persuade jurors that Kelly was desperate to recover the missing recording, knowing it could land him in legal peril if it fell into the hands of law enforcement.
Accuser’s mom: R Kelly’s threats made her fear for her life
August 22, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A mother whose daughter prosecutors say R. Kelly sexually abused starting when she was 14 told jurors Monday at the singer’s federal trial that she lied to a state grand jury 20 years ago, in part because she and her husband felt threatened by Kelly and feared for their lives if they told the truth.
Witness about R. Kelly: I didn’t want to ‘carry his lies’
August 19, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A woman who says she was sexually abused hundreds of times by R. Kelly as a minor testified Friday that she agonized several years ago about whether to cooperate with federal investigators who were looking into child abuse allegations involving the singer, but she ultimately did because she didn't want to “carry his lies.”
Woman says it was her, R. Kelly in key video at 2008 trial
August 18, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A woman who has been central to R. Kelly’s legal troubles for more than two decades testified Thursday that the R&B singer sexually abused her “hundreds” of times before she turned 18 and that it was her and Kelly in a videotape that was at the heart of his 2008 child pornography trial, at which he was acquitted.
Attorney: Don’t accept portrayal of R. Kelly as `monster’
August 17, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly kept an ugly side of his life hidden as he escaped poverty in Chicago and rose to pop music stardom, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday at the singer's trial on charges accusing him of enticing girls for sex and rigging a 2008 child pornography case.
R Kelly jury picked in child pornography, trial-fixing case
August 17, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A federal jury was impaneled Tuesday in R. Kelly's hometown of Chicago to decide multiple charges against the R&B singer, as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued toward the end of the process about whether the government was improperly attempting to keep some Blacks off the jury.
R. Kelly jury selection focuses on 2019 documentary
August 15, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Jury selection in R. Kelly's federal trial on charges that he rigged his 2008 state child pornography trial began Monday with the judge and attorneys quickly focusing on whether would-be jurors watched a 2019 documentary about sex abuse allegations against the R&B singer.
R. Kelly timeline: Shining star to convicted sex trafficker
August 15, 2022 GMTR. Kelly's musical accomplishments have been accompanied by a long history of allegations that he sexually abused women and children. Now the R&B singer faces a trial in his hometown of Chicago on charges accusing him of rigging his 2008 child pornography trial and of enticing minors for sex.
R Kelly accuser to give key testimony on trial-fixing charge
August 13, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago that starts Monday is in many ways a do-over of his 2008 state child pornography trial, at which jurors acquitted the singer on charges that he produced a video of himself when he was around 30 having sex with a girl no older than 14.
Self-described R. Kelly manager pleads guilty to stalking
July 27, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A self-described manager and adviser to R. Kelly pleaded guilty Tuesday to an interstate stalking charge, less than a week after he was convicted of making a phone threat that gunfire was about to occur in a Manhattan theater where a documentary about the singer was about to be shown.
R. Kelly’s manager convicted of gunfire threat at theater
July 22, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly’s manager was convicted Friday of making a phone threat that gunfire was about to occur at a crowded Manhattan theater preparing to show a documentary about the singer’s sexual abuse of women and girls.
R. Kelly’s manager faces trial over theater-emptying threat
July 21, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The trial of R. Kelly’s manager opened Tuesday on charges that he forced the cancellation of a screening of a documentary about the singer's sexual abuse of women and girls by calling in a threat to the crowded Manhattan theater.
Disgraced R&B star R. Kelly back in Chicago for sex trial
July 13, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly has been returned to the federal jail in downtown Chicago ahead of his trial on child pornography and obstruction-of-justice charges, just two weeks after the disgraced R&B star was sentenced in New York to 30 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking.
In reversal, prosecutors say R. Kelly off suicide watch
July 5, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly is no longer on suicide watch following the jailed R&B singer's sentencing in a federal sex abuse case, prosecutors said in court papers filed on Tuesday.
R. Kelly timeline: Shining star to convicted sex trafficker
July 4, 2022 GMTR. Kelly's musical accomplishments have been accompanied by a long history of allegations that he sexually abused women and children. Now the R&B singer has been sentenced to spend the next three decades behind bars.
Feds: R. Kelly remains on suicide watch ‘for his own safety’
July 3, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Federal authorities are pushing back on R. Kelly's claims that he was placed on suicide watch as a form of punishment last week after a judge sentenced him to 30 years behind bars for using his fame to sexually abuse young girls.
EXPLAINER: How will R. Kelly sentence impact other trials?
July 1, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly could be in his 80s before the singer is free again, based on a 30-year prison term imposed this week by a New York federal judge for parlaying his fame to sexually abuse young fans, including some who were children.
ShowBiz Minute: R. Kelly, Diaz, Elmo
June 30, 2022 GMTR. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in sex trafficking case
June 29, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for using his fame to sexually abuse young fans, including some who were just children, in a systematic scheme that went on for decades.
Prosecutors: R. Kelly should get at least 25 years in prison
June 9, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” deserves at least 25 years behind bars for sexually abusing women and girls, prosecutors said in a memo filed Wednesday in advance of his sentencing later this month.
EXPLAINER: A look at Bill Cosby’s sexual assault civil trial
May 31, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Eleven months after he was freed from prison when a Pennsylvania appeals court threw out his criminal conviction, Bill Cosby, 85, will again be the defendant in a trial over sexual assault allegations.
Bill Cosby lawyers cry foul as civil sex assault trial looms
May 17, 2022 GMTSANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — With jury selection less than a week away, attorneys scrambled to deal with shifting evidence Tuesday in Bill Cosby’s civil trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl at the Playboy mansion nearly 50 years ago.
Janet Jackson doc, despite criticism, a hit for Lifetime
February 1, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Janet Jackson's four-part documentary on Lifetime was the network's most-watched non-fiction show since “Surviving R. Kelly” three years ago, and viewership is continuing to grow.
The documentary series debuted Friday and Saturday night on Lifetime and was simulcast on the A&E network.
Today in History
January 8, 2022 GMTToday in History
Today is Saturday, Jan. 8, the eighth day of 2022. There are 357 days left in the year.
‘Substitute camera’ captures Ghislaine Maxwell trial drama
January 5, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — As Ghislaine Maxwell strode into the courtroom for the first day of her sex-trafficking trial, no photographer was allowed to catch it. Courtroom artist Elizabeth Williams, however, was at the ready and before the hour was up, the curtain-raising scene was transmitted to news outlets around the world.
Britney, Bennifer, Beatles and Broadway: Pop culture in 2021
December 9, 2021 GMTBritney was freed. Bennifer came back. So did Broadway, yay! And actually, the Beatles! As for Bond — James Bond — he said goodbye, at least the Daniel Craig version.
Harry and Meghan spoke to Oprah, and boy, we listened.
Man sentenced for R. Kelly witness intimidation attempt
November 17, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A man was sentenced to eight years in prison Wednesday for setting fire to a car last year in what authorities said was an attempt to intimidate a potential witness in R. Kelly's sex trafficking trial.
Outtakes: Grammys CEO on R. Kelly, Wallen, cancel culture
October 26, 2021 GMTBURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. spoke to The Associated Press about efforts to make the Grammy's more inclusive. He also talked about other happenings in the music industry and cancel culture.
Virus cut access to courts but opened door to virtual future
October 26, 2021 GMTJust two reporters were allowed inside a Georgia courtroom to serve as the eyes and ears of the public when jury selection began for the men charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery. Pandemic restrictions also kept reporters and the public out of the courtroom during the sex-trafficking trial of music star R.
R. Kelly’s Chicago trial on federal sex charges set Aug. 1
October 20, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered R&B superstar R. Kelly to stand trial in Chicago on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges next year after the scheduled sentencing for his conviction in an earlier sex trafficking trial in New York.
New federal prosecutors in NYC confirmed by US Senate
October 6, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's choices to lead the federal prosecutors' offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The confirmation late Tuesday of Damian Williams as U.S.
Correction: R Kelly-Black Women story
September 29, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — In a story published September 28, 2021, about reactions to the R. Kelly verdict, The Associated Press erroneously reported the name of a television news program. It is now called “CBS Mornings,” not “CBS This Morning.”
A jury convicted R. Kelly; will his music face consequences?
September 29, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Will a criminal conviction do to R. Kelly's music what years of ugly allegations couldn't?
BC-The Conversation for September 28, 10am, ADVISORY
September 28, 2021 GMTHere's a look at what The Conversation, a non-profit source of explanatory journalism from experts in academia, is offering today.
AP members may find The Conversation content on AP Newsroom or through AP webfeeds.
R&B superstar R. Kelly convicted in sex trafficking trial
September 27, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” was convicted Monday in a sex trafficking trial after decades of avoiding criminal responsibility for numerous allegations of misconduct with young women and children.
R. Kelly’s life, from troubled talent to trafficking trial
September 27, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly has long faced and denied allegations of lurid behavior and sex abuse. A jury has now found him guilty of sex trafficking in a federal trial in New York stemming from those allegations.
R. Kelly fate now in jury’s hands at sex trafficking trial
September 24, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly’s fate is now in a jury’s hands after weeks of lurid testimony in his sexual misconduct trial.
The panel of seven men and five women began deliberating racketeering and sex trafficking charges against the R&B superstar Friday afternoon, ending the day without reaching a verdict They are due back in court on Monday to resume their work.
R. Kelly jury asked to make him ‘pay’ or not fall for ‘lies’
September 23, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A prosecutor in closing arguments at the sex-trafficking trial of R. Kelly urged jurors on Thursday to make the R&B superstar “pay” for his alleged crimes, while a defense lawyer told them they've been misled by opportunistic accusers about consensual relationships.
R. Kelly’s rules protected him, prosecutors in sex trial say
September 22, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly got away with sexually abusing underage victims for more than two decades by ruling his inner circle enablers with an iron fist, a prosecutor told jurors on Wednesday at the R&B singer’s sex-trafficking trial.
Lawyer: R. Kelly unlikely to take stand in trafficking trial
September 21, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly is unlikely to take the witness stand at his sex-trafficking trial, a lawyer for the R&B singer told a judge Tuesday.
The remark by attorney Deveraux Cannick, made with the jury out the courtroom, came as the defense wound down its case at the trial in federal court in New York City.
R Kelly prosecutors rest; defense calls on singer’s allies
September 20, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors at the R. Kelly sex trafficking trial ended their case Monday after calling dozens of witnesses over the past month who detailed the government’s sweeping allegations against the singer in lurid detail.
R. Kelly behavior mirrors abuse tactics, expert witness says
September 17, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors inched closer on Friday to concluding their case at the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial, calling two final witnesses to try to further cement allegations he groomed young victims for unwanted sex in episodes dating to the 1990s.
Prosecutors play R. Kelly tapes as goverment case winds down
September 15, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors, nearing the end of their case at the sex trafficking trial of R. Kelly, played recordings for a New York City jury Wednesday they say back up allegations the R&B singer abused women and girls.
Prosecutors: Tapes capture R. Kelly threatening his victims
September 14, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors want a New York City jury at the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial to hear profane video and audio recordings they say demonstrate how he threatened his victims with violence.
R. Kelly assistant says he made her write false confession
September 13, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly's longtime assistant testified Monday that the R&B superstar was so paranoid, he once asked her to change into a robe to demonstrate she was not wearing a wire.
“He could get pretty heated,” said Diana Copeland, who was Kelly's assistant for 15 years.
Witness says R. Kelly kept her locked up before sex assault
September 10, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — She was an unsuspecting radio station intern in 2003 when she pursued what she thought would be a career-making interview with a R&B superstar — R. Kelly.
Instead, she had a horrific experience while locked in a darkened room for days, she's now testified years later in lurid detail.
Scenes from Week 3 of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial
September 4, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The third week of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial in New York City saw more accusers — including for the first time, a man — coming forward with array of disturbing allegations and a former assistant providing a glimpse into how he lorded over his inner circle.
Witness testifies R. Kelly paid $200,000 to settle STD suit
September 3, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly paid $200,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a woman who accused him of giving her herpes two decades ago without disclosing he had it, the woman testified on Friday at the R&B singer's sex-trafficking trial.
Uneasy witness testifies against R. Kelly at federal trial
September 2, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A woman reluctantly took the witness stand against R. Kelly on Thursday to recount how he struck up a relationship with her in 2006 when she was 15, but dodged a prosecutor’s questions about when they first had sex.
R. Kelly accuser says he kept gun nearby while berating her
September 1, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — One of R. Kelly’s accusers testified on Wednesday that he kept a gun by his side while he berated her as a prelude to forcing her to give him oral sex in a Los Angeles music studio.
Non-fan of R. Kelly describes still falling prey to him
August 31, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A woman who wasn’t a fan of R. Kelly ended up getting exposed to a sexually transmitted disease after he enticed her to join him on the road, she testified on Tuesday at the R&B entertainer’s sex-trafficking trial.
Man testifies against R. Kelly in sex-trafficking trial
August 30, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — After several days of testimony from women claiming they were groomed and sexually abused by R.
Scenes from Week 2 of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial
August 28, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The second week of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial in New York City proved to be an exercise by prosecutors to paint the “I Believe I Can Fly” R&B star as a man-child control freak and a compulsive sex offender who exploited vulnerable victims way less than half his age while ordering them to call him “Daddy.”
Witness: R. Kelly once compared himself to Jerry Lee Lewis
August 26, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R&B star R. Kelly once compared himself to rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis — notorious for marrying his 13-year-old cousin decades ago — saying they were both misunderstood geniuses, a witness at Kelly’s sex-trafficking trial testified Thursday.
Witness: R. Kelly made victims write fake blackmail letters
August 25, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — R&B hitmaker R. Kelly’s forced his girlfriends to write fake blackmail letters that he could use to defend himself in case he got charged with sexually abusing them, one of his accusers testified on Wednesday at his New York City trial.
Witness: R. Kelly controlled girlfriends during CBS segment
August 24, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A controlling R. Kelly barred his live-in girlfriends from watching a documentary series that portrayed him as a sexual predator and kept watch over them during an interview with Gayle King, one of the women testified Tuesday at the R&B singer's sex-trafficking trial.
R. Kelly accuser testifies that he sexually abused her at 17
August 23, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Another accuser took the witness stand on Monday at R. Kelly’s sex-trafficking trial, testifying that the R&B superstar sexually abused her on his tour bus and in hotel rooms when she was still a high school student and an aspiring singer.
Ex-tour manager testifies against R. Kelly about Aaliyah
August 21, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A former tour manager for R. Kelly reluctantly testified Friday that he paid a $500 bribe to a government worker to get the singer Aaliyah a fake identification card so Kelly could secretly marry her when she was 15 years old.