​Erykah Badu Faces Backlash After "Putting Up a Prayer" for R. Kelly During Chicago Concert

Photo: Denis Alix

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Jan 21, 2019

Erykah Badu performed in Chicago on Saturday night (January 19), but it was her onstage banter that proved the most memorable moment of the show.
 
Speaking to the crowd at the Aragon Ballroom in R. Kelly's hometown, Badu said, "I'm putting up a prayer for R."
 
She continued, "I hope he sees the light of day if he's done all those things we've seen on TV."
 
After replies of "Fuck him!" from the crowd, Badu replied, "That's not love. That's not unconditional."
 
"But what if one of the people that was assaulted by R. Kelly goes on to be an offender," she continued. "We gonna crucify them? How do we do this? Just something to think about."
 
In addition to booing from the crowd, Badu's comments have received plenty of backlash online as well. See some of the social media response below.
 
Badu has since clarified her comments, stating that loving someone unconditionally doesn't mean supporting their "poor choices."
 
She added that she wants "healing for you and anyone you have hurt as a result of you being hurt."
 
As previously reported, new allegations of sexual abuse against Kelly were recently brought to light in Lifetime's Surviving R. Kelly documentary series.
 
Sony Music has since dropped Kelly from its roster, while Kelly continues to deny all allegations.
 
Watch video footage of Badu's comments below.


 
 

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