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From E! Online Entertainment

Kelly Pleads Case...In Song
Thu Jun 20, 5:20 PM ET
By Josh Grossberg

Two weeks following his humiliating arrest on child-pornography charges in his hometown of Chicago, R. Kelly is taking to song to defend himself.

The R&B singer and his label, Jive Records, have released a new tune titled "Heaven, I Need a Hug" to radio stations around the country in attempt to earn some sympathy for the beleagured artist, whose career many believe may be irreparably damaged by the sex-tape scandal.

The track, which debuted Tuesday night on Chicago radio station WGCI-FM, features Kelly singing about his life as a celebrity and seems to directly address the allegations that he videotaped himself engaging in lewd sex acts with a minor.

"I've given 13 years of my life to this industry/Hit song or not, I've given all of me/You smile in my face and tell me you love me/But then before you know the truth you're so quick to judge me," a plaintive Kelly sings.

"It's all because I'm famous/You know what I'm sayin'/I mean if I wasn't famous/then all this wouldn't be happening."

Kelly faces 21 felony counts of child pornography, charges that carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. If convicted, Kelly (whose first name is Robert) would also have to register as a sex offender. Kelly says it's not him in the video.

In his new song, Kelly also appeals to fans not to desert him while his name and reputation is dragged through the mud until they hear his side of the story in a court of law.

"It's just him trying to get people to understand who he is," says Marv Dyson, WGCI's president and general manager. "Lyrically it's one of the best things I ever heard. I've never heard such a response in my life."

The song, which will be included in Kelly's next album (due in the fall), has seemed to caught on with listeners.

"We played the single the first time on Tuesday at 7:30. By 9 p.m. on Tuesday that record was number nine. On Wednesday night it was number one on the 'Top 9 at 9' and that has continued since then," says Dyson, who reports the station only getting one negative call about the song. "It's getting requested up the yin-yang. I suppose the controversy around him has something to do with it."

Dyson says Jive has since sent the record to Clear Channel urban stations around the country.

While some radio stations have shied away from playing Kelly songs in recent weeks, WGCI hasn't, which is the reason it was the first to get the new track. (If fact, when the sex tape surfaced in February, Kelly went on the station to defend himself.) "In my eyes he's innnocent until proven guilty and we will continue to play his music," says Dyson.

At this point, the singer would welcome any support he gets. He has found himself increasingly alienated in the R&B and hip-hop communities, shunned by radio stations, fellow artists and record producers, but he's also turned off many fans disgusted by charges. Sales of his last album, a joint project with Jay-Z titled The Best of Both Worlds, have slackened, and Jay-Z has distanced himself from Kelly.

Dyson, who has a 14-year-old daughter himself, says of Kelly: "He's just an artist. A very troubled young man, I would think, but an incredibly talented person."

Kelly remains free on $750,000 bail and is due back in court next Wednesday.



I tried to find a copy of this song on Kazaa, but alas no luck... it sounds HILARIOUS. It's amazing what public scorn can accomplish in people who are repeat offenders of crimes like this.