close
Wednesday, October 6, 2021

YouTube removes R Kelly’s channels following sex trafficking conviction

“We can confirm that we have terminated two channels linked to R.Kelly in accordance with our creator responsibility guidelines.”

• October 6, 2021

YouTube has removed two channels linked to the R&B singer, R Kelly, after his sex trafficking conviction.

In a statement to Reuters, a YouTube spokesperson said, “We can confirm that we have terminated two channels linked to R.Kelly in accordance with our creator responsibility guidelines.”

“Egregious actions committed by R. Kelly warrant penalties beyond standard enforcement measures due to a potential to cause widespread harm. Ultimately we are taking this action to protect our users similar to other platforms,” explained a memo by YouTube’s head of legal, Nicole Alston, as seen by Bloomberg.

The 54-year-old music star, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was found guilty and convicted in September 2021 for exploiting, sexually abusing women and minors for over two decades and also sex-trafficking charges.

The popular ‘I believe I can Fly’ crooner now has his RKellyTV and RKellyVevo removed from YouTube.

However, the catalogue of his songs is still available on the audio-streaming YouTube Music and user-created videos like covers on YouTube. 

R.Kelly’s songs have already been pulled out of radio stations, likely due to the MuteRKelly campaign, founded in 2017 by two Black women, campaigning that music platforms like Apple Music, AmazonMusic, and Spotify to remove Kelly’s songs from the airwaves.

In 2018, Spotify removed the singer from their playlist, under the ‘Hate Conduct and Hateful Conduct Policy’, but returned him to the list three weeks later. It, however, installed a function that allows users to mute the singer themselves personally.

R. Kelly, who is one of the most popular cases tied to the #MeToo movement, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars and could face up to life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for May 4, 2022, after being found guilty nine charges.

More from Peoples Gazette

States

Ember Months: FRSC begins campaign against night travel

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bayelsa Sector Command, has flagged off its ember months campaigns against night travels.

Malami and Kanu

NationWide

AGF Malami threatens state of emergency ahead of Anambra elections

The warning came as insecurity heightened across the state, raising fears about the upcoming gubernatorial elections in November.

Lagos Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu (Photo Credit: Adesina Mutiu)

Lagos

Lagos police warn criminals, begin visibility patrol

According to the police spokesman, the patrol is to be sustained beyond the ember months.

Moderna vaccine

World

Covid-19: Sweden suspends use of Moderna vaccine for under 30

According to the health authority, there is evidence of an increased risk of side effects such as inflammation of the cardiac muscle or the heart sac.

Court symbol used to tell the story

States

Woman pours hot water on creditor; charged with attempted murder

The suspect was said to have poured hot water on her creditor when the latter came to ask for her money.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo

States

Gunmen storm Ekiti, abduct residents from their homes

Eyewitnesses say a minor and three farmers were taken away by the gunmen but the police say only two persons were abducted.