Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly

(Hardback)

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Description

The essential account of R. Kelly's actions and their consequences, a reckoning two decades in the making.
In November 2000, after receiving an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with "young girls," journalist Jim DeRogatis broke a shocking story wide open, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar had groomed girls, sexually abused them, and paid them off.
DeRogatis thought his work would have an impact; instead Kelly's career flourished. No one seemed to care: not the music industry, not the culture at large, not the parents of numerous other young girls. But for more than 18 years, DeRogatis stayed on the story-he was the one sent the disturbing videotape that led to Kelly's child pornography trial, he was the one whose window was shot out, he was the one who women trusted with their stories.
Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly is DeRogatis's masterpiece, a work of tenacious journalism and powerful writing. It is an outrageous, darkly riveting account of the life and actions of R. Kelly, and their horrible impact, by the only person to tell it.

Reviews

"There really isnt anyone more qualified to write about the saga of R. Kelly than Jim DeRogatis. Jim has done the work. Hes built the relationships. Hes cared about the outcome for almost two decades -- Tarana Burke, founder #MeToo
Jim DeRogatis heroically and doggedly pursued the story of R. Kellys predation on young women when the rest of the world simply would not care. For much of his career, Jim has been a music journalist, which means his livelihood depends on the good will and access to musicians and the music industry. All of which he jeopardized by revealing the darkest truths about one of its biggest stars. Give the man a Pulitzer, or something. Praise his name. -- Peter Sagal
a brave and important book -- Booklist
"a stunning account of harm done and dismissed." -- Daily Beast
"Soulless provides new information and insight to readers about the many avenues of sexual assault Kelly has driven down and what can lie ahead in his upcoming trials." -- Vibe
"The writer lays out the case against Kelly in his new book, Soulless. He details not just the accusations of sexual abuse, but Kelly's complex history of out-of-court settlements, the music industry's complicity in his actions, and law enforcement's failure to bring him to justice. -- BBC News Online
"A piercing work of investigative journalism on a celebrity scandal that continues to fester." -- Kirkus
DeRogatis captivates in this expertly told narrative -- Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Jim DeRogatis is an associate professor of instruction at Columbia College Chicago and the host, with Greg Kot, of the nationally syndicated public radio show Sound Opinions. The author of Let it Bleed: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs and other books, he spent 15 years as the pop music critic at the Chicago Sun-Times. He lives in Chicago.