Music
30 Jul 14

R. Kelly removed from American festival after public outcry

After complaints from bands and festival sponsors, Kelly and the Ohio festival decided to cancel the set.

As reported by Columbus Alive, R. Kelly will no longer be headlining the Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, coming to a "mutual decision" with the festival's promoters after backlash arose due to the singer's past child pornography charges and allegations of sexual assault.

Fashion Meets Music Festival organizers and Kelly released a joint statement announcing the decision.

"Fashion Meets Music Festival and headlining artist R. Kelly have come to the mutual decision to cancel Kelly's upcoming performance at the inaugural Fashion Meets Music Festival."

R. kelly's publicist released a further statement.

"R. Kelly is sorry to disappoint his fans, but looks forward to seeing them in the near future during one of his upcoming tours."

The R. Kelly set has sparked controversy for the festival from the moment it was announced, with the bands Saintseneca and Damn the Witch Siren pulling out of the festival and radio station WCBE withdrawing its sponsorship.

Kelly was indicted in 2002 on 21 counts of child pornography, which was later reduced to 14 before being found not guilty on all charges in 2008. The festival will not seek a replacement.