YouTube removes R. Kelly channels after conviction

YouTube has removed R&B superstar R. Kelly’s channels from its platform following his conviction for sex trafficking, the streaming giant announced on Tuesday.

His channels, RKellyTV and RKellyVevo, have been deleted from the platform and Kelly will not be able to create or own any other YouTube channel in the future, YouTube said on Monday, Reuters reported.

The steps to remove R. Kelly from the world’s largest streaming service were taken in accordance with its creator responsibility guidelines, which were updated in 2018 to castigate creators on the platform for behavior off the platform.

The creator responsibility guidelines also detail that YouTube can “terminate a creator’s channels if they’re accused of a very egregious crime” or “should the creator be convicted or plead guilty,” Billboard reported.

The popular ’90s singer in September was found guilty on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, racketeering and sex trafficking involving five victims.

R. Kelly’s conviction came after a monthlong sex trafficking trial during which his victims detailed the abuse they suffered at his hands.

His trial included lengthy testimonies from more than four dozen witnesses who brought forward accusations of abuse and sexual assault against the R&B singer. 

The victim testimonies detailed how Kelly forced them to perform sexual acts while recording them and kept them isolated in hotel rooms.

R. Kelly’s guilty verdict also follows a three-decades-long spree of abuse and misconduct allegations, and his trial included details from his marriage to his ex-wife Aaliyah when she was 15.

His music, however, is still available on streaming sites like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

New polling found that 44 percent of audio streaming service users said platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music should remove Kelly’s music from their catalogs.

Kelly faces 10 years behind bars, and could face up to life in prison at his sentencing on May 4.