Credit: Alamy

Legendary producer Teddy Riley recently came to the defence of R Kelly, but has now walked back on his words.

During an interview, Riley said he had “talked a few times” to Kelly amid his prison sentence and that he was “bringing in investors” to release some of the 25 albums he’s recorded behind bars.

“Everybody deserves a second chance,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “Everyone deserves to repent, and everyone gets forgiven by God when you come to him. People miss [Kelly’s] music. I’m the messenger to bring R&B back.”

However, Riley later took to Instagram to apologise for his comments about potentially working with Kelly, who is serving 30 years on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

“As a producer, I’ve always been excited about the possibilities of music and creative collaboration,” he wrote. “That excitement has defined my career. But I also understand that words carry weight, and I never want my passion for music to overshadow the very real pain that many people have experienced.”

He continued, “If my comments caused hurt, I sincerely apologise. That was never my intention. I take seriously the impact that abuse and misconduct have had on survivors and their families. Their experiences matter, and they deserve to be acknowledged with care and respect.”

Riley said that his Kelly plans were “a creative idea discussed in passing. It is not something that will move forward. Loving music and recognising its cultural impact does not mean condoning harmful behaviour, and I want to be clear about that.”

He added, “I have spent my life building a legacy rooted in innovation, integrity, and love for the art form. That remains my focus. I appreciate the dialogue, and I remain committed to moving forward with intention and accountability.”

Kelly is currently located at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, and is scheduled for release in 2045.