American RnB singer and Grammy award nominee Raheem Devaughn has dispelled reports that he had done a collaboration with controversial superstar R Kelly in a remix of one of his hit song “customer.”
He explained that the embattled RnB maestro R Kelly was a fan, and so did a cover of his [Raheem] song, and it was not an official record.
Raheem Devaughn made this clarification to KOD and Cookie on the Starr Drive Wednesday.
“I never recorded a record with him. Ironically when it goes down in history books, I was the first soul singer to make mixtapes so that’s what I was known for doing. So, his attempt to like jack the ‘customer’ was an attempt to like do something he was a fan of.
Wes Felton also an American singer who was also in the studio added his voice saying “For the record Raheem Devaughn did not work with or record with him. R Kelly was a fan and mutual label mate and he took that song on his own, he didn’t even like officially go to, he went and made his own version.”
R. Kelly has been sidelined by industry players and American citizens after the release of a documentary series of sexual assault involving the singer. Major labels including RCA/Sony, universal music and musicians like Lady gaga have distanced themselves from the singer.
Raheem added “it’s a sad case because it takes away the legacy of the catalogue he created and different artistes that collaborated with him. And this is a lesson for all artistes and public figures. The bottom line is we won’t be judged at the end of the day by what we did on stage, but what we do off stage about whether it’s good in the eyes of God and living morally correct.
“To be clear he is cancer right now in the USA,” he said.
Raheem Devaughn and Wes Felton are currently in the country as part of a “back to Africa” movement which coincidentally tallies with the ‘year of return’ celebration.
The duo hope to use their God-given talents to effect change and bond with the African community to fight against oppression from the west.
They said “This is not a glamorous trip that we are on. Most artistes from our country won’t even take the time or day to go into schools, actual communities where there are people who in their lifetime have never experienced someone who played piano, or experience a DJ or a singer or rapper. And it’s very easy for our egos and for the glamour and glitz of what this art stuff is.”
The added “but really our people and our introduction by way of Africans to America, the music was used as a tool, as a weapon for change and communication, so we are continuing that legacy.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
