The famous Founder of source magazine And rapper Benzinowho also appeared on VH1’s Love and Hip Hop, believes R. Kelly was wronged after his sentencing 30 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking of minors.
On Wednesday, the media mogul spoke about redemption in light of Black male artists who engage in sexual relations with underage girls during an appearance on the We In Miami podcast.
Benzino says R. Kelly deserves a second chance: “The legal age is 16, but he did it all this time because they were two years younger” pic.twitter.com/dPGIlNGJHg
— SAY CHEESE! (@SaycheeseDGTL) May 1, 2024
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” he said when asked about the Chicago native. “The legal age is 16 years, so it’s true if you don’t do it, right or not?”
When the women at the table collectively agreed that it was still wrong, she continued: “Okay, but it’s legal in America, so why has R. Kelly been doing this all these years? Because you know why? Because they were 14 and 13 — two years younger — but you don’t think that people who completed it for 16 didn’t know that they were also 13 and 14.
“Even want to make it [an] it’s that young to be legal, you already know that they’re under that law. I don’t condone n-ggas fucking little girls — it hurts, okay, it hurts, it hurts — but I also don’t think R. Kelly should rot in prison for 30 years.”
WHAT NECK?! | Benzino said he believes R. Kelly deserves a second chance:
“Everyone deserves a second chance.” pic.twitter.com/PNiUPcKY44
— KenBarbie™ (@itsKenBarbie) May 1, 2024
Side Note: For years, I have spoken about how hip-hop and gang culture prey on young boys and girls. This industry looks at damaged humanity and harmful exploitation by providing a carrot “out of the tent” when in fact it is a door to glorifying sex work and pornography.
The 58-year-old added: “What about R. Kelly who was molested when he was a child? They didn’t take it [that into] consideration […] They exploit it and make all these documentaries that make money for everyone.
“The parents of those girls knew what they were getting into, with R. Kelly — a lot of people knew that, do you know what I’m saying? — but R. Kelly is uneducated, folks. Like when does that start to take effect?
See what I mean?
Additionally, Boosie Badazz, another famous black male rapper, was upset over Kelly’s three-decade sentence. While he acknowledged that the R&B veteran made a mistake and deserved prison time, the Baton Rouge rapper also argued that his crimes did not warrant a long sentence.
Boosie Badazz is best known for his affiliation with Lil Wayne’s record label, Cash Noteswhich is owned and operated by Birdman.
“People get 15/20 years for murder and he got 30 years!!” he tweeted. “Yes, he was guilty of manipulating young girls and having sex with them, but he didn’t kill anyone, rape anyone badly. And don’t blame the parents who know everything. Hate this guy!! College professor got probation for this shit.
“Get this guy help and prison time but don’t give him the death penalty, 30 years!! Maybe he can come out someday and warn these young girls about older predators and make a difference? But 30 years like Come on in the world!!”
He even pointed the finger at the parents of Kelly’s victims, posting screenshots of court documents that accused the mother of one of the underage girls of “fabrication [her] relationship” with the singer and “actively misled [him] about his age.”
Interestingly, right before the election, two very prominent hip-hop figures expressed support for the sexual abuse of minors.
Is it possible that someone paid the owner of Source Magazine to randomly say that he doesn’t think sex with minors is that bad? His daughter now disowns him for his statement.
I ask this question because with all the Diddy news is outYou’d think black men in the hip-hop industry would be on the safe side and not want to be seen as sympathetic to sex trafficking.
FREE RKELLY pic.twitter.com/WQoSI7eNCV
— Boosie BadAzz (@BOOSIEOFFICIAL) April 26, 2024