How to Help Mute R. Kelly (And Stop Sexual Assault)
After decades of eluding sexual misconduct allegations, it’s looking like what’s left of the career of R. Kelly - the self-proclaimed “Pied Piper of R&B” - may finally be crashing down.
The #MuteRKelly campaign reached a fever pitch on Monday when women of color from within the Time’s Up movement officially joined the fray. In a blistering op-ed for The Root, they not only came for him, but also the multi-million dollar corporations and business entities that condone and remain complicit in his behavior.
Spearheaded by co-founders Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye, the #MuteRKelly campaign was launched to bring his 25-year reign of abuse and exploitation of women and girls to an abrupt end. And since its inception, it’s derailed his career by having a direct hand in at least 10 of his concerts (and counting) being cancelled.
In recent days, musician John Legend, television producer Shonda Rhimes, and filmmaker Ava DuVernay have helped press the issue.
But with R. Kelly somehow still booking shows and remaining blissfully ignorant to these claims in the process, here are some things we can do.
How to help channel the movement to stop R. Kelly and stop sexual assault
Tell RCA Records to drop R. Kelly
Tell RCA Records (212.930.4000) you're done buying R. Kelly’s music. You can also tweet at them (@RCARecords) with the #MuteRKelly hashtag.
Urge streaming services to stop playing R. Kelly’s music
Okay, you collect vinyl, but most of R. Kelly's current spins are coming across Spotify, TIDAL, or Apple Music. Hit them up with the same message and the #MuteRKelly hashtag:
- @SpotifyCares on Twitter, or via this form
- @TIDAL on Twitter, via this form
- @AppleMusic on Twitter, or via this form
- @AmazonMusic on Twitter, or at 888.280.4331
Don’t buy R. Kelly concert tickets, and stop venues from hosting him
His tickets don’t sell themselves. If you find out he’s coming to your city, let the company selling tickets (starting with @LiveNation and @Ticketmaster) as well as the venue itself and let them know that by continuing to facilitate his ticket sales and performances, they are furnishing his lifestyle that endangers women.
Donate to organizations working to stop sexual assault.
Tarana Burke's me too movement supports survivors of sexual violence, and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund has raised millions of dollars to provide legal aid to survivors of workplace discrimination and sexual assault.
This one's for the men.
See our prior post on how men can help stop sexual harassment and assault.
Also: connect with and support organizations working to stop sexual harassment and assault.
In addition to the me too movement and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, check out Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN, which also runs the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline), the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, End Rape on Campus, ReThink, Collective Action for Safe Spaces, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, and Hollaback. You can find a much longer list here.
How to get help
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.4673) provides resources and support 24 hours a day.
