Even though R. Kelly is in jail, new music is still being released.
The enigmatic I Admit It! project debuted on Friday.
It was accessible via streaming services.
The 13-track album includes leaked songs including “I Found Love,” “Good Old Days,” and “Freaky Sensation” that were never formally released.
The last three songs, “I Admit It,” are a confessional from Kelly in which he addresses the claims of sexual assault for which he was ultimately found guilty.
The disgraced superstar sings, “I admit I done made some mistakes and I have some imperfect ways,” acknowledging that he “fu**ed with a couple of fans.”
When all I’ve done is represent, how are they going to claim that I don’t appreciate these women?
Because you’re pissed because I have some girlfriends, take my career and turn it upside down.
It isn’t worth the chance for genuine, so hell with this record deal.
They’re trying to lock me up like Bill since I haven’t seen my kids in years.
Kelly then addresses Spotify removing his music from their playlists in the aftermath of the allegations and admits that he was a victim of sexual assault (“I acknowledge a family member molested me”).
“All this work to be successful and you abandoned me because of what you heard,” the song’s lyrics read. “I’m not convicted, not arrested, but dragged my name in the dirt.”
The 19-minute song “I Admit It” was published by the artist on SoundCloud in 2018, however this is the first time it has been made available on streaming services.
The project was made public under the Legacy Recordings label, a Sony Music branch.
Despite the Legacy label, a label source informs TMZ that the project is not an official release.
Who is responsible for the counterfeit version is unknown.
After being found guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering in a federal trial in New York, Kelly is now serving a 30-year jail term.
In his federal child porn trial in Chicago, he was found guilty on six charges in September.
In February, he will be sentenced.
