By Doug Stevens
Assistant Opinions Editor
With 21 charges relating to child pornography already under his belt (no pun intended), R&B singer R. Kelly has been arrested once again, this time for digital images that were found during a search of his Florida apartment.
The images feature an under-age nude girl, but she has not been confirmed as the same girl from the infamous videotape which shows Kelly having sexual relations with a minor.
He should have learned his lesson last time. In his 1993 hit “Bump ‘n’ Grind” Kelly, now 34, sings “show me some ID … I don’t see nothing wrong with a little bump n’ grind …” Well, she didn’t have ID, and there is surely something wrong.
Mr. Kelly should have practiced what he preached. Failure to ask for proper identification has Kelly facing 15 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.
Kelly’s marriage to the late R&R singer Aaliyah. then 15, was an early warning that he really believed age ain’t nothin’ but a number. Someone should have seen it coming.
What is it about some celebrity singers that makes them lust after little ones? R. Kelly’s first album, “12 Play,” was filled with warning signs that the star has difficulty controlling his libido, but no one took them seriously.
Song titles like “Your Body’s Callin’,” “It Seems Like You’re Ready” and “I Like the Crotch on You” clearly indicate an insatiable appetite for the female gender, and a tendency for sexual eccentricity.
Since his first set of charges in June 2002, police have ordered Kelly to avoid contact with children that he is not related to.
While dedicated fans eagerly, or perhaps reluctantly, await the release of his upcoming album “Chocolate Factory,” Kelly must check in with police once a week until his trial.
Kelly is not the only celebrity attracting negative publicity for indulging in under-age smut. Pete Townshend, co-founding member of legendary rock band The Who, has admitted to allegations that he paid to view a child pornography Web site.
Townshend claims he is actually on a vigilante crusade against pedophilia, and in order to fight this sick addiction one must know what it’s all about; his pay-per-view porn activity on the Internet was simply part of his research.
Townshend, who believes he was abused as a child, was one of 1,300 people arrested in a 10-month long sting operation by British Police.
It is awfully noble of Sir Townshend, who is married with children, to dedicate his late nights in Richmond, London. to surfing the Web for kiddie porn all for the good of humanity.
His personal Web site highlights his research on pedophilia, but Scotland Yard officers are still considering pressing charges on Townshend.
They should go easy on Townshend. After all, he was only watching child pornography. R. Kelly made his own. But maybe that’s what Pete was looking for when he was caught.
So, what of success? How can a superstar continue his or her career in the limelight after such an accusation? Who can forget the charges of child molestation brought against Michael Jackson in 1993?
Though he thoroughly and emotionally denied all accusations and many are convinced of his innocence, did the king of pop ever recover? His career has definitely suffered, but there are too many confounding factors to determine whether the child molestation rap is the culprit of his popularity decline.
One of Kelly’s most recent hits, “feelin’ on your booty,” was probably not meant to be a proclamation of guilt, however his latest single, “Heaven I need a hug,” is undoubtedly an autobiographical cry for help.
February 06, 2003