R. Kelly Fans Seek Refund

Advertisements for the Oct. 26 event, billed as Ced’s All Black Affair Birthday Extravaganza, noted the singer would merely make an appearance, local promoter Ced Johnson told the Monroe News Star.

“I never did anything to lead people on about the event,” Johnson said. “All of the fliers and promos said it was a birthday bash where he would appear. It was never billed as a concert.”

Tickets for the party ranged from $46 to $86, and angry fans flooded the event’s Facebook page after the show accusing Johnson of false advertising and questioning whether it was in fact Kelly who performed a very brief set.

“Ced give everyone their money back and problem solved,” one commenter wrote. “R Kelly never walks through a crowd playing on his phone. Oh and them wack as clothes the impersonator had on lol!”

But Monroe Police Detective Reggie Brown confirmed to the News Star that he met and spoke with Kelly and his manager prior to the party.

“I can say it was definitely him,” Brown said. “There was further confirmation for the manager in charge of the Southaven (Miss.) venue where (R. Kelly) did perform on Sunday. He had to make arrangements for R. Kelly to travel from Monroe to Southaven.”

Brown added he was concerned the appearance could cause a public safety issue as fans were expecting Kelly to take the stage, so the singer obliged by doing a short set.
 
Johnson does not plan to offer refunds, the paper reported.