Phoenix have apologized for collaborating with R. Kelly in 2013. “We are deeply horrified by the stories of abuse surrounding R. Kelly,” the band said in a statement, posted on their Twitter. “We regret that we were not both more informed and more discerning when we worked with him previously. We fully support all victims of sexual abuse, and it's our hope that there will be a path to justice.”
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R. Kelly joined Phoenix for a remix of the band’s Bankrupt! single “Trying to Be Cool.” Kelly also performed with Phoenix at Coachella earlier that year. Frontman Thomas Mars and R. Kelly also participated in an interview together for Pitchfork.
Phoenix’s apology follows Lady Gaga's, who also worked with Kelly in 2013. In a statement posted to Twitter last night, Gaga said that she intends to remove her collaboration with Kelly, ARTPOP single “Do What U Want,” from iTunes and streaming services.
The apologies arrive as women continue to speak out publicly about R. Kelly’s history of alleged abuse. Lifetime recently aired “Surviving R. Kelly,” a documentary series that featured interviews with several women—including ex-girlfriend Kitti Jones and ex-wife Andrea Kelly—who have accused Kelly of abuse. The series also included interviews with John Legend and Chance the Rapper, who said it “was a mistake” to collaborate with R. Kelly on 2015’s “Somewhere in Paradise.”
