R Kelly has lashed out at his sex abuse accusers saying they were lying and said he was not 'Lucifer' or 'a monster'
R KELLY has said the sex abuse accusers are lying and sensationally claimed the “victims” families threatened to destroy his career.
Kelly, 52, made the claims in an extensive 80 minute interview with CBS News’ Gayle King where he denied he was the devil.
Asked why he had agreed to do the interview as the I Believe I Can Fly singer faces a total of ten sex abuse charges against him, he replied: “I’m very tired of all the lies.”
He added: “I've been hearing things, and you know, and seeing things on the blogs, and you know, you know, I'm just tired.”
King then asked him which “lies” disturbed him the most.
Kelly replied: “Oh my God. All of them, got little girls trapped in the basement… helicopters over my house trying to rescue someone that doesn't need rescuing because they're not in my house.
I don't even really know what a cult is. But I know I don't have one
R Kelly in his interview with Gayle King
"Handcuffing people, starving people. I have a harem, what you call it – a cult. I don't even really know what a cult is. But I know I don't have one."
He categorically denied ever having sex with anyone under the age of 17.
In the highly-charged interview, where Kelly clearly became agitated several times, he also accused the women’s parents of threatening to “destroy” his career.
He said: “I hope this camera keep going.
“This is not true! That doesn't even make sense! Why would I hold all these women? Their fathers and mothers told me, we're going to destroy your career!"
Kelly did not specify exactly who he was referring to.
“You all quit playing! Quit playing! I didn't do this stuff! This is not me! I'm fighting for my f***ing life! Y'all killing me with this s**t!" Kelly said, standing up. "I gave you 30 years of my f***ing career!"
Why would I hold all these women? Their fathers and mothers told me, we're going to destroy your career
R Kelly in his interview with CBS News
"Thirty years of my career! And y'all trying to kill me? You killing me, man! This is not about music!
“I'm trying to have a relationship with my kids! And I can't do it! Y'all just don't want to believe the truth! You don't want to believe it!"
Three of the four alleged victims were underage when the suspected crimes are said to have occurred between 1998 and 2010.
There are reports that authorities in both New York and Illinois are also investigating a number of allegations against the R&B singer.
Kelly came under the spotlight after the docuseries Surviving R Kelly which featured a number of the accused as well as former members of the singer’s inner circle.
Asked about the documentary, Kelly replied in the CBS interview: “Everybody says something bad about me.
“Nobody said nothing good. They were describing Lucifer. I’m not Lucifer.
“I’m a man. I make mistakes, but I’m not the devil, and by no means am I a monster.”
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer has claimed all his accusers are lying.
Kelly was released on bail on February 25 as he waits for his trial.
The singer spent three days behind bars amid reports he was struggling to cough up the $100,000 (£77,000) bond.
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