R Kelly has responded to a new #MuteRKelly campaign launched against the US R&B artist, claiming he is "the target of a greedy, conscious and malicious conspiracy".
A new open letter, signed by the “Women Of Color Within Time’s Up” called RCA Records, Spotify, Apple Music, Ticketmaster and North Carolina's Greensboro Coliseum, where Kelly is scheduled to perform this month, to sever ties with the artist following a string of allegations.
The 51-year-old singer last year publicly denied shocking allegations he was housing six women against their will and controlling their lives. He has also previously settled a dozen civil lawsuits out of court that alleged "illegal sexual relationships".
In 2008, he was acquitted on 14 counts of making child pornography.
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"For too long, our community has ignored our pain," the WOC letter regarding Kelly reads.
"The pain we bear is a burden that too many women of color have had to bear for centuries. The wounds run deep."
In a statement issued to Variety, Kelly's management responded to the open letter.
"Kelly supports the pro-women goals of the Time’s Up movement.
"We understand criticizing a famous artist is a good way to draw attention to those goals—and in this case, it is unjust and off-target.
"Soon it will become clear Mr Kelly is the target of a greedy, conscious and malicious conspiracy to demean him, his family and the women with whom he spends his time."
A number of notable names have shown support for the #MuteRKelly movement, including Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong'o, Kathy Griffin, John Legend and Debra Messing,
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