“Surviving R. Kelly” aired its final installment on Saturday and has the world talking about the two decades of sexual assault allegations against the singer. One of the people who spoke out was Sparkle, an artist he produced and the aunt of the 14-year-old who was allegedly urinated on in the sex tape video. Sparkle introduced her niece to R. Kelly, which has gotten her mixed reactions online. Many people do not understand how she could have introduced a child to Kelly, knowing that there was a marriage certificate with 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994. That said, Sparkle said an adult should always be present, but Kelly managed to spend alone time with the child. Sparkle did testify against Kelly when he was on trial, lost her career and was estranged from her family for 10 years.
Nonetheless, the singer just dropped a new single, “We Are Ready,” which is an anthem for survivors.
Written by Sparkle, the lyrics are, “Said that we were weak long enough, but time is up/ We ain’t weak/ We have a voice and it’s loud, no we ain’t just figure it out/ When we come together we win we overcome battles, we fall, we’ll do it again/ And it’s never been an easy win, but we are ready.”
Listen below:
However, social media has had mixed reactions. See below:
1.
So... Sparkle just dropped a new single... and Drea was on FB live (in 2017 to be accurate) singing Happy People and poppin off about how R is her baby daddy/family and other ppl who speak on him have no right & are haters 🤦🏼♀️ #survivingrkelly
— Mo Reilley (@MoReilley) January 7, 2019
2.
Sparkle, one of the protagonist of the documentary, is a recording artist that gave up her career to fight against R. Kelly.
— it won't be soon (@nickrusso_15) January 6, 2019
She recorded a single inspired by all the victims reclaiming their voices, it's called " We Are Ready"... Check it out!
3.
...and this is why I feel like Sparkle and her niece's mother & father were opportunists and make it bad for real victims. https://t.co/Btz4uX4efL
— TC Littles (@tc_littles) January 6, 2019
4.
Aint nobody supporting your new single Sparkle pic.twitter.com/BHPg3CBSOR
— E. 🕊☘️💙 (@IBeEricaLeigh) January 6, 2019
5.
A reading from the book of THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO RELEASE YOUR NEW SINGLE, chapter ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDIN'? #SurvivingRKelly--> Sparkle Declares War With "We Are Ready," Shares Single On 'Surviving R. Kelly' https://t.co/XkV7h3lhjh via @vibemagazine
— Nicki Mayo (@nickimayonews) January 6, 2019
6.
How about men in the industry all support Sparkle's new single on your timelines and remind folks that she was blackballed for trying to protect her 14-year old niece who was violated by R. Kelly in a sex tape. #SurvivingRKelly pic.twitter.com/yP82s2zvlG
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) January 6, 2019
7.
Wait so Sparkle just dropped a single....hmmm
— Dani 👑 (@yeahthatsdani) January 7, 2019
8.
Everyone with “Aaliyah” on their lips, but why no one called out Sparkle for releasing a single just before “Surviving R.Kelly” dropped .. And being on Surving R Kelly as a victim/exposing… https://t.co/bOnkmMSQOl
— Aaliyah For MAC (@AaliyahForMac) January 7, 2019