R. Kelly's Daughter Joann Claims She Lost Record Deal Because Of Her Father

BY Erika Marie 39.3K Views
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Once they figured out who her dad was, the singer claims her deal was taken away.

The scandals that have followed R. Kelly for decades do not just affect the singer and those actively involved in those cases. Kelly's family, including his ex-wife and children, have also found themselves on the receiving end of backlash from people who accused them of hiding his secrets. Kelly's daughter Joann, who goes by the stage name Buku Abi, has previously spoken about the struggles she faces due to her connection to her famous father, and in a recent interview, she admitted that it has impacted her music career.

She was asked if she's been "turned down" because of Kelly.

Randy Shropshire / Stringer / Getty Images

"Absolutely, simply based off of my last name," said Joann. "And that has—I think for me, especially for people who don't know, like, music is my first passion. Like, I love music. I'm a singer, songwriter, I, like, I love music. I've been doing music since I was 13 years old, that's the first time I ever wrote a song, I was 13."

"From 13 up until 24, I have been trying to get into the music business. Trying to get into the Industry and all those years, it's either been, you're getting it because of who your dad is or you're not gettin' it because of who your dad is. I've been this close to a record deal, and when they found out who I was, it got swiped away."

The radio host was surprised and Joann doubled-down that it was because of her father's controversies that she has missed opportunities.

Check out the clip of her interview with her mother, Drea Kelly, below.



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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