In a new documentary, R. Kelly’s Karma: A Daughter’s Journey, Buku Abi, the daughter of imprisoned R&B singer R. Kelly, has come forward with harrowing allegations of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father. The revelations, which have sent shockwaves through both the entertainment industry and the public, mark the first time Buku has spoken openly about the trauma she says she endured.
The 25-year-old revealed in the documentary that the abuse left her too frightened to confide in anyone, not even her mother, Drea Kelly, who was married to R. Kelly at the time. “I was too scared to tell anybody. I was too scared to tell my mom,” Abi said through tears. “He was my everything. For a long time, I didn’t want to believe it happened.”
The two-part documentary also includes emotional interviews with Abi’s siblings, Jaah and Robert Kelly Jr., along with their mother. Drea Kelly expressed her deep sorrow over what her children have gone through, saying, “What he did to me, he did to me. But you didn’t have to do it to my damn kids.”
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Despite Buku Abi’s claims, R. Kelly’s legal team has denied the allegations. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, criticized the filmmakers for not reaching out to the singer or his team to allow them the opportunity to refute the claims. “These accusations have no basis and were previously found to be unfounded,” Bonjean said, pointing to earlier investigations into similar allegations made by Drea Kelly.
R. Kelly, once a towering figure in the music industry, is currently serving a 30-year sentence after being convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges in 2021. His legal battles have been lengthy and complex, but his downfall has been marked by an unrelenting flood of allegations from women and young girls who claim to have been victimized by the singer.
In the documentary, Buku Abi reflected on her decision to finally speak up after years of silence. “I’m not looking for revenge. I just want to heal,” she said. The revelations in R. Kelly’s Karma add another layer of distress to the already deeply troubling narrative surrounding the singer’s legacy.
