R Kelly, 52, has been back and forth in court following a string of allegations against him this year.
Today, R. Kelly was denied bail in a New York City courtroom after a prosecutor told Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione he posed a “a danger” to public safety, according to Associated Press.
Lawyers for the singer requested his release so he could fight charges.
R. Kelly – real name Robert – has been accused of using his fame to recruit young women and girls into having illegal sexual activity.
Prosecutors claimed he isolated the alleged victims from family and friends and also claimed he demanded they call him “Daddy.”
Elizabeth Geddes – an assistant U.S. Attorney – said R. Kelly and his associates had paid off and intimated witnesses in past cases.
She said witnesses were told “they had the option of choosing his side or the other side. adding: “There’s a serious risk he’ll attempt to obstruct justice.”
Th singer is charged in New York with exploiting five victims.
According to court papers, they include one he met at one of his concerts and another at a radio station.
Prosecutors allege the singer arranged for some victims to meet him on the road for illegal sex.
They added R.Kelly had one victim travel to a show in New York where he had unprotected sex with her without telling her “he had contracted an infectious venereal disease” – which is in violation of New York law.
Lawyers for the singer claim the alleged victims “pined to be with him” and sought his attention at shows, as stated in court filings.
They added R.Kelly “would spend his time and even become friends with and care about these groupies and fans who were dying to be with him”.
The singer was supported at court by two female friends.
A group of fans also gathered outside the court wearing “Free R.Kelly” T-shirts.
Earlier this year, a documentary titled Surviving R. Kelly included multiple women accusing him of sexual abuse.
R. Kelly has denied all allegations against him.
His lawyer previously said the documentary was “another round of stories” being used to “fill reality TV time”.
After the series had ended, several major radio stations stopped airing his music.
The label RCA Records also dropped him.