Amid all of the underaged sex scandal allegations floating around the industry like a thick unwavering cloud over R. Kelly’s head, many of us forget about the other aspects of his personal life. One of the main forgotten factors is his family and kids. Kelly (51) and choreographer/reality star, Drea Kelly (44), were married for 13 years (1996- 2009).
Throughout their marriage, Drea tried her best to stick with Kellz amid the infamous 90’s sex tape scandal/trial and cheating allegations. Although their marriage had it’s fair share of highs and lows, there were three beautiful events that both of them are forever be grateful for- the birth of their three children.
Speaking of their kids…sure, Kelly’s ex-wife may have tried to stand by him back in the day, but do their kids feel the same way? Hmmmm…see what one of them had to say about R. Kelly’s controversial sex scandal for the first time ever…
(VIDEO) Drea’s & R. Kelly’s DAUGHTER Finally Speaks On Dad’s Sex Drama
Meet Drea and Kelly’s 20 year old daughter, Joanne Kelly, who currently goes by the name Buku (and prior to that, she went by AriRaye). She’s a beautiful young lady, with an equally beautiful spirit and great poise. In fact, those two traits were very prevalent when she was stopped by paparazzi recently and surprisingly asked her thoughts about the recent sex scandal her Dad is facing, as well as how it’s affecting the family.
Even though the daughter of the “I Believe I Can Fly” hitmaker was caught off guard, the calm poise and respectful tone she displayed, when answering the intrusive family questions, showed that she knows how to handle the pressure. Buku’s answers also showed that she and her legendary Pops are not necessarily seeing eye to eye at the moment, but she made it clear that she still loves him as “family.” See what Buku had to say below:
Little Known Facts About R. Kelly’s & Drea’s Daughter
As we previously reported, unbeknownst to many, Drea and Kelly have two daughters and one son together. They all live life away from the cameras, but lately their eldest child, Buku, has stepped into the spotlight somewhat and is following in her Pop’s artistic path:
She’s a singer…
Buku (a.k.a. AriiRaye), was introduced to her Pop’s fans in 2015, when she sang on the song, “Wanna Be There,” from his album, “The Buffet.” Much different from his other ballads, R. Kelly vulnerably opened up about their father/daughter relationship in “Wanna Be There,” because it focuses on his once strained relationship with Buku, when she was a teenager and they were both brutally honest about the ups and downs they went through. Initially, she was hesitant to record the song, but with encouragement from her dad, Buku performed with the hopes of touching other young girls and their fathers. R. Kelly spoke about the importance of the song to Black Kids Online:
“I’m a writer,” explained R. Kelly. “Who has the balls to write a song about the father and daughter not seeing each other, not being with each other, and need to see each other, and need balance in they lives? Who can put that song together where the melody worked, the hook works and the lyrics connect? So that’s when I step in. I’ll write the song that other people want to say but just don’t know how to put the words together.”
Buku’s emotional duet with her father, R. Kelly…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whvKJ8m-4Rg
She’s an artist…literally…
Her talents do not just stop at music, Buku is an artist as well. On Instagram, she showcased her art work. Check out some of them below…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhUxlHJnkZC/?taken-by=bu.k.u
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgrX78OnHlL/?taken-by=bu.k.u
As y’all can see, despite any family drama she may have to endure at this time, Buku is still pretty talented and just an all around beautiful soul inside and out! Best wishes to the Kelly kids…they are simply innocent bystanders.
