Yes, Men Get Away With A Lot: R. Kelly & Drake

I don’t even know where to begin…. I guess lets start with R. Kelly.

Since social media has exploded about the Surviving R Kelly documentary, I decided to watch it. I am half way through and I am already beyond disgusted.

One of the main reasons I am disgusted is how did I not know sooner about the monster that he is? If I didn’t know, I am sure there are countless others who really did not know as well. I remember hearing that R. Kelly peed on someone but I didn’t know that it was AN UNDERAGE GIRL. Even for people who knew, R. Kelly continued to have a successful career. When the tape of the peeing was released, and people saw it, they continue to defend R. Kelly and buy his music.

What absolutely got me upset was the fact that people around R. Kelly, his management team etc, KNEW what was going on and HELPED IT. They brought him to malls to check girls out, they gave out his number to young girls, they saw young girls at the studio with him. AND THEY DID NOTHING. THEY LET IT HAPPEN AND THEY HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN. How could they? How could they do nothing? How can they talk about it, on camera, like it was no big deal?

Now Drake….

A video has resurfaced where Drake is caressing a woman. Then he asks her her age and she responds 17. Drake backs off and says that he can’t go to prison just yet. But instead of STOPPING HE CONTINUES TO CARESS AND KISS THE UNDERAGE GIRL.

Not only that but it seems that he has a close relationship with the young actress Millie Bobby Brown WHO IS 14 YEARS OLD. Brown, shares in an interview, that they stay in touch via text and Drake gives her dating advice and shares that he misses her. What does a grown ass man have with texting a 14 year old saying that he misses her? There is a 17 year age difference. What do you have in common with a 14 year old?

This is the drama that has unfolded in the last couple of weeks. One of the Instagram celebrities I follow posted about his podcast asking the question if successful men, because they are successful (my note: AND MALE) get away with more?

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES. This happens all the time. There is a double standard (many of them) where men benefit and women suffer.

In the Surviving R Kelly documentary, it was shared that executives at the record label knew what was going on but didn’t do anything because of all the revenue that R Kelly generated for them.

More people are learning about Drake and his relationships with younger women, but it seems that it doesn’t hurt his bottom line as well. Both artists are able to continue to make music and have success.

Another question comes up in these discussions is if a person can enjoy R Kelly and Drake’s music without acknowledging/accepting the issues surrounding their personal life. I don’t believe that. I believe that if you continue to listen to artists accused of horrible things than you are not bothered by what they have done. By listening to them you are supporting them and putting money into their pockets.

In today’s times, for celebrities and other public figures, there is not really a work/professional person vs after hours person. The person themselves is the WHOLE BRAND. It is simply not about the music, movies, etc. It is the content these people create AND their personalities. Since the lines are extremely blurred I don’t believe that one can simply enjoy what the person created without supporting the questionable actions of the person. And I also don’t believe that a person’s talent makes questionable actions of a person non irrelevant.

I am in awe of the women who came forward to share their stories about R Kelly. These women are so brave. I hope their stories help change the dialogue surrounding powerful men and how so many of their actions are overlooked. A big, bright spot light is needed.