Longtime Drake producer Noah “40” Shebib might not have expected the outrage from the R. Kelly credit on the new Drake Certified Lover Boy album, but it came swiftly on Friday when fans realized that Kelz was listed as a writer on “TSU”. It didn’t take long for an explanation. 40 explained the R Kelly credit on an instagram comment and did his part to distance himself and Drake from the embattled singer.
“TSU,” is produced by Harley Arsenault, Noel and Houston’s own OG Ron C. The song also interpolates *NSYNC’s “Sailing.”
Around the 20-second mark of “TSU”, the song samples the 14-second mark of R. Kelly’s 1998 song, “Half on a Baby.” While Kelz voice can’t be heard, that was enough to necessitate the credit.
R. Kelly is currently on trial in New York City on federal charges of sexual misconduct, racketeering and violations to the Mann Act, a federal law that criminalizes any woman or girl being transported for prostitution-related purposes.
Here’s the post under which Noah explains the R Kelly credit.
View this post on Instagram
Here’s what 40 said:
“On a song called tsu at the beginning is a sample of OG Ron c talking. Behind that faintly which you can’t even hear is an r Kelly song playing in the background. It has no significance no lyrics are present, r Kelly’s voice isn’t even present but if we wanted to use Ron c talking we were forced to license it. Doesn’t sit well with me let me just say that. And I’m not here to defend drakes lyrics, but I thought I would clear up that there is no actual r Kelly present and it’s a bit misleading to call him a co lyricist. It’s kinda wild cause I was just reading “Baby Girl” by Kathy Iandoli and the recounts of some of that stuff is horrific and disgusting. Then I saw this post and just had to say something because to think we would stand beside that guy or write with him is just incredibly disgusting.”
Despite the explanation, R. Kelly is still entitled to royalties from the song.
Here’s the song:
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