Jada Pinkett Smith wants to know why sales and streams of R Kelly’s songs have reportedly spiked since the docu-series Surviving R Kelly aired.
“I’m having a really difficult time understanding why,” Pinkett Smith said in a video message shared on social media.
The actress urged her followers to share their thoughts and said she’ll host a Facebook Live discussion on Wednesday at 5 pm PT.
“I really don’t want to believe it’s because black girls don’t matter enough,” said Pinkett Smith. “Or is that the reason?”
MORE: John Legend Speaks Up In Surviving R Kelly
The six-part Surviving R Kelly was broadcast over three nights on U.S. cable channel Lifetime. It includes interviews with women who allege they were sexually abused by the R&B singer. Kelly, through his lawyer, has denied the accusations.
On Friday, The Blast reported that streams of Kelly’s songs increased by 16 per cent on one service after the first episode aired.
On Sunday, Kelly’s 2003 song “Ignition (Remix)” was in the Top 10 on the U.S. iTunes R&B/Soul Songs chart. His 1998 hit “I Believe I Can Fly” and 1993’s “Bump n’ Grind” were in the Top 40.
In Canada, “Ignition (Remix)” was No. 70 on the list of Top R&B/Soul Songs on iTunes on Sunday and “I Believe I Can Fly” was No. 124.
How is it that R Kelly's music sales have spiked (substantially) since the release of the docuseries Surviving R Kelly? I need some help in understanding. What am I missing??? pic.twitter.com/pysqVxLzyi
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 6, 2019