Podcasters Defend R. Kelly Interview, We Separate the Artwork From the Artist

Getting R. Kelly on the telephone from jail put podcasters April Smith and Patricia Dillard in a severe dilemma … one the place they risked backlash from the general public, and even their very own households.

As we reported, April and Patricia made the choice to publish their interview with the convicted felon, which they did for his or her “Inmate Tea with A&P” podcast — and through their chat Patricia, particularly, was feeling it when Kelly began singing.

The duo advised us scoring the Kelly interview occurred completely by chance … they have been interviewing a unique inmate who talked about Kelly was in the identical jail, and he managed to get him on the road.

April and Patricia say they have been comfy going ahead with the interview as a result of they did not talk about his case in any respect — he is underneath a gag rule whereas he appeals his conviction on a number of prices, together with power labor, sexual exploitation of minor, and Mann Act violations.

As Patricia put it, “We’re simply 2 people who’re in a position to separate the artwork from the artist.”

They are saying they’ve had blended responses to the podcast, which they anticipated, contemplating many individuals have thought of Kelly totally canceled since his conviction — however nonetheless, they advised us … “When R. Kelly calls, you reply.”

By the way in which, the podcasters level out, engaged on jail reform is why they launched their podcast, and usually they converse to non-famous inmates … primarily about jail situations, and never particulars of their convictions.