Benzino Doesn’t Think R. Kelly “Should Rot In Jail” For Committing Child Sex Crimes

“But, it’s legal in America. So why the f**k is R. Kelly doing all this time?”

Record producer Benzino attends the 47th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 5, 2016 in Pasadena, California.

Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards

Benzino shared his opinion that R. Kelly should be given grace after his convictions for child sex crimes. As a guest on the We In Miami podcast, the reality star discussed his thoughts on Kelly’s sentencing.

“Everybody deserves a second chance,” he exclaimed after asked if the Chicago singer, legal name Robert Kelly, should be granted forgiveness. “But I know that Elvis [Presley]… a lot of motherf**kers f**k with 14, 15, [year olds.] Ni**as f**k with young girls. To keep it 100. I’m not into that. Again, the legal age is 16 years old so, does that make it right if a ni**a does it? Yes or no?”

“If it’s legal, does it make it right if a ni**a dates a 16-year-old?” he continued to question, with several of the panelists expressing disgust.

Benzino continued, “But, it’s legal in America. So why the f**k is R. Kelly doing all this time? Because you know why? They’re 14, and 13. Two years younger. But, you don’t think that the ones that… You don’t think that the people who cleared it for 16 years old didn’t know that they’re f**king with 13 and 14, too? Even to make an age that young to be the law, you already know they going under that.”

Benzino attends Official Celebrity Boxing South Florida Rumble Featuring Blac Chyna – Press Conference at Booby Trap Doral on May 14, 2022 in Doral, Florida.

Aaron Davidson/Getty Images)

He attempted to clarify his statement by adding, “I’m not condoning ni**as f**king with little girls. It’s sick,” he explained. “But I don’t think R. Kelly should rot in jail for 30 years either.

The podcast host continued the conversation, detailing how he still listens to the disgraced R&B star while Benzino alleged the criminal justice system did not consider Kelly’s childhood trauma and called documentaries chronicling the crimes as exploitative.

“Them parents of them girls knew what they was dealing with, with R. Kelly. A lot of people knew that sh*t.”

R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail.

Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Image

In September 2021, Kelly was found guilty of nine counts of racketeering and sex trafficking charges against him in New York City. He was sentenced to 30 years behind bars in June 2022. In September of that same year, Kelly was found guilty of three of four counts of production of child pornography and three of five counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity in a Chicago federal court.

According to the Associated Press, last month, an appeals court rejected the 57-year-old’s attempt to challenge his 20-year sentence that resulted from the Chicago trial.

“We are disappointed in the ruling, but our fight is far from over,” expressed Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean detailing plans to take the case to the United States Supreme Court.

Watch the clip from the We In Miami podcast below.

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