Psychologist says R. Kelly's music is spiking right now because of a ‘fascination with the morbid’

Allegations that singer R. Kelly sexually abused and assaulted women and young girls have swirled for years, but recently became even more prominent with Lifetime’s docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly. In the documentary, which aired last week, several people provide compelling testimony that suggests the singer not only sexually assaulted young women and girls, but abused them for decades.

The Internet has expressed a collective revulsion with the allegations, with many suggesting that it’s the lack of protection for black women that allowed an apparent child rapist to thrive for decades.

R kelly disgust me ?

— kaylaa (@kayla_brivnna) January 4, 2019

Black men don’t protect black women enough, and that is why R Kelly abused these women for years.

— Hamdia Ahmed (@hamdia_ahmed) January 6, 2019

But the immediate response, it seems, wasn’t all negative. According to a report from The Blast, Spotify sales of Kelly’s music increased 16 percent after the first episode aired — and continue to climb. The news was confusing and upsetting to many people. Among them: Jada Pinkett Smith, who shared a video on Twitter about it.

“So I got an article this morning about how R. Kelly’s music sales and his streams have spiked substantially since the release of Surviving R. Kelly docuseries,” she said. “And I’m having a really difficult time understanding why. But I think it’s important to understand why. I really would like for you guys to help me understand what I’m missing. Even if I’m missing something that I don’t necessarily agree with. I just want to understand what I’m missing.”

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