Overview
- In a Los Angeles Times interview this week, Riley said he had spoken with R. Kelly and was bringing in investors to release music the singer claims to have recorded in prison, describing as many as 25 albums.
- He defended the concept by emphasizing forgiveness, saying "Everybody deserves a second chance" and casting himself as "the messenger to bring R&B back."
- Following backlash, Riley posted an Instagram apology, calling the proposal "a creative idea discussed in passing" and stating it "is not something that will move forward."
- R. Kelly remains incarcerated on a 30-year federal sentence after convictions for racketeering and sex trafficking.
- The remarks came as Riley promoted his memoir and followed his tease of a phone-recorded snippet he said featured Kelly singing.