Vendor
	Fritz Agency Christian Dittus
Original language
English

SOULLESS

Jim DeRogatis

The Case Against R. Kelly

SOULLESS: THE CASE AGAINST R. KELLY is 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 storyhe 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 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.

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.

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Book Published 2019-06-01 by Abrams

Comments

Without question, a white reporter relentlessly investigating a black man accused of raping and sexually assaulting multiple girls and women is at best touchy. DeRogatis is cognizant of this. (...) The investigative journalism DeRogatis offered throughout his career and recollected in Soulless is the kind of intervention we need, especially when the stakes are this high. Unfortunately, we are still reluctant to believe and support black girls and women. Consequently, books such as this ... are integral to holding those who harm black girls and women accountable. It is rare that change-making, investigative journalism or activism don't come at a steep cost. In particular, pushing back against the potent combination of anti-black racism and misogyny is an arduous and seemingly unending task. Soulless is a cautionary reminder of how important it is to remain committed to ensuring that black girls and women do in fact matter. Read more...

The indefatigable and fearless DeRogatis has written a brave and important book. (starred review)

There really isn't anyone more qualified to write about the saga of R. Kelly than Jim DeRogatis. Jim has done the work. He's built the relationships. He's cared about the outcome for almost two decades. It's clear that Kelly isn't just his white whale but that he sees the humanity in the women who have survived R. Kelly. We really only need to hear from Jim. (Tarana Burke, founder of the MeToo movement)