Soulless

The Case Against R. Kelly

By: Jim DeRogatis

Narrated by: Jim DeRogatis

Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The essential account of R. Kelly’s actions and their consequences, a reckoning two decades in the making

In November 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with “young girls”. Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking story, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar and local hero 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 story. He was the one who was given the disturbing videotape that led to Kelly’s 2008 child pornography trial, the one whose window was shot out, and the one whom women trusted to tell their stories - of a meeting with the superstar at a classroom, a mall, a concert, or a McDonald’s that forever warped the course of their lives. 

Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly is DeRogatis’ masterpiece, a work of tenacious journalism and powerful cultural criticism. It tells the story of Kelly’s career, DeRogatis’ investigations, and the world in which the two crossed paths, and brings the story up to the moment when things finally seem to have changed. Decades in the making, this is an outrageous, darkly riveting account of the life and actions of R. Kelly, and their horrible impact on dozens of girls, by the only person to tell it.

©2019 Jim DeRogatis (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

The story only Jim DeRogatis could write

I grew up on the south side of Chicago and vividly recall hearing the stories about R Kelly' preying on young girls when I was in high school. I even had a friend who was good friends with his first victim, Tiffany Hawkins. He'd tell anyone who would listen that R Kelly was no good and that people shouldn't support his music.  I used to see Robert hanging around Lincoln Mall frequently in suburban Matteson (not far from his mansion)  and I'd wonder why he'd waste his time there when he obviously had better things to do. It never even occurred to me that he'd be picking up his next victims.....  Jim calls Chicago, "a big small town" and I'd agree with that statement. The south side is a small community and when you grow up here you're connected to people typically by a few degrees of separation.  EVERYONE talked about R Kelly and everyone knew about his rumored affinity for young girls. People spoke of it in a matter-of-fact manner as if it were a fact of life that couldn't be changed.


I firmly believe that Jim is the sole reason why R Kelly's days as a serial predator may be numbered. Jim DeRogatis was the ONLY voice speaking on the subject publicly back then. He's been the most consistent voice fighting for all of Robert's victims. His reporting on this story has been relentless and tenacious. This book is the one only HE could write.


Growing up around the story since it's inception I was surprised that there was so much that I didn't know. The book is extremely detailed starting from the very beginning and ending with the most recent events. It's a bit dry at times, but it's a book about a serial pedophile/abuser. It's not supposed to entertaining or necessarily enjoyable.  The book is painstakingly researched and Jim handled each survivor's story with care managing to snag a few exclusive interviews along the way.


Surviving R Kelly felt like a highlight reel after reading this book. Sure the highlight reel gets all the glory, but the real work is put in when no one is watching. This book is the blood, sweat and tears of the last 20+ years that Jim has reported on this story. It can be a lot to take in at times, but It's most definitely worth the investment of your time.


Jim narrates the book in a steady monotone. He sounds exactly the same as he does when he's being interviewed or doing his podcast. His narration style isn't the most exciting or expressive, but it felt appropriate for the subject matter.

Best layout of the Rob Saga

This journalist is very detailed with the accounts over such a long time span. He did an exceptional job with integrity and empathy for the victims. I enjoyed how the story was told in such a poignant way. Great job.

10 stars

This book was factual, professional, empathetic and demanding of accountability of us all. I enjoyed this one.

The Reality Of Child Rape Is On The Table

Meticulous accounting. A drop of rain in a desert. Well told story of a serial rapist enabled by the village. Everywhere he went.
We live in a time of child rape in the name of "entertainment". Backpage Organized Crime Syndicate bought the Village Voice and used it as a front to launch the largest crime syndicate in history in front of everyone's eyes. Their human trafficking enterprise spread into 943 locations 97 countries and 17 different languages. They created a demand for sex with children by flaunting child porn all over the Internet. Nobody said anything for years. Child Sex Trafficking increased 850% in the U.S.A. as the Co-Founders wrote the victims off as "underage prostitutes". They made millions upon millions on the backs of children being raped. Only one documentary on it (I am Jane Doe). We desperately need the education offered in this book. It is a labor of love and a duty motivated book, from a place of love, responsibility, and empathy for women and children. This story needed to be told and thank God someone cared enough about the plight of the victims to spell it out. Standing Ovation!

Word to author: get a life

The most blaring issues include:

Veiled in self righteous, self congratulatory rhetoric, author is oblivious that what is on display in this piece is his own perverse fixation on RK’s sexual issues (which, at worst, include consensual acts between RK and various women close to the age of legal consent).

True of other books by other authors, it is off-putting when an author exploits some questionably-newsworthy topic (here, RK’s relationships with girls) by using it as a pretext to generate interest and publish what in actuality is an autobiographical piece highlighting his own life or career.

Thank you

Downloaded this on my girlfriends account after hearing you on "South Beach Session". Wow Sir! As a 43yr old black man who is a father of 5 daughters from Flint, Mi with Familial Roots on The South Side (63rd and May my sister lives down the street from Englewood Elementary presently) I want to say thank you for help giving daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, these beautifully strong women who were victimized by this predator their voice. Now I'm gonna go look for your music lol.

Excellent book that exposed the facts in a timeline that is compelling

The author recounts his involvement in the exposure of RKelly as a sexual predator of Black adolescent girls and the system of corruption that enables him to do so for decades. The book is well written and details RKelly's exploits and exploitation.

However, after the story there is an interview where the author gets political and show-horns unproven and unreliable smears in the political realm into the conversation. After reading this book, I was stunned at his claim that the testimony of Dr Fraud against Justice Kavanaugh was credible although there was no date, place or time and none of her witnesses agreed that they had witnessed her allegations not did they even know judge Kavanaugh! Her story was completely unreliable and she was also caught lying about her fear of flying. Yet as a white woman, her obviously politically motivated accusation was accepted by the media without question.

The attempt to connect the Democrat political smear circus of the Kavanaugh hearing to this story of actual sexual predatory crimes disrespects the real victims of sexual abuse and assault and shows how the mainstream media's Democrat bias infects this journalist also. Stick to music and the crimes of musicians.

The FULL Story Beyond Surviving R. Kelly

I have been captivated by the R. Kelly scandal ever since I read the Buzzfeed article claiming he ran a cult. At the time it seemed ridiculous to me. I’d heard about the infamous “Pee Tape” as a teenager, and I’d known there was some controversy. But watching Surviving R. Kelly opened my eyes to how far reaching this man’s crimes have been and this book filled in the details.

When I found this audiobook I assumed it would be a rehash of the same information I already knew. To a certain extent this is true, this book does retell and reference the Lifetime documentary. But Jim DeRogatis goes further. Jim was on this case from the beginning, he is the reporter who turned in the infamous tape. He has been chronicling this story for years and has spoken to all the major players. He and Sparkle watched the tape together, and was even compelled to testify at R. Kelly’s trial. There is no one who knows this case better excepting Robert Kelly himself.

If you watched the documentary and wanted to know more, this is THE book to listen to for answers. Jim compassionately shares these women’s stories and his outrage on behalf of the victims is palpable throughout his narrative.

Horrible

The book sucked and his weird rants were annoying. He talked about so much that was completely irrelevant to the R Kelly story.

Must read for anyone

Excellent. Not sure what else to say , nothing really else to state. Don’t miss out .

Im fighting for my life here

Well glad he is now in jail discusting creep had it all money fame etc but all he wanted to do was fuck 14 year old girls

Brilliant, timely and absolutely necessary

Brilliant, timely and absolutely necessary. I particularly liked the fact that the author narrated given his personal involvement.
#MuteRKelly

Outstanding

I rewatched both series of Surviving R Kelly after the first chapter of this book. It helped to add faces to names, which made it hit home even harder. Those poor girls. Excellent journalism here, but the city of Chicago and all those who allowed Kelly's horrific treatment of these girls and women should be mightily ashamed.

Shocking

This is a shocking story, all the more shocking because you thought you knew R Kelly.

This book is a powerful voice and it must be heard

I take my hat off to Jim DeRogatis for using his talents, clout and deep commitment to justice, to give a voice to black girls and women.

The author has such deep respect for women, that he cannot stand by and let R. Kelly’s crimes against women continue to go unchallenged.

Meticulously researched, honest, harrowing and brilliantly written - I think this book will forever be up there with the best, when it comes to investigating historical abuse by powerful and charismatic celebrities.

I enjoyed Jim DeRogatis’ narration. I also found R. Kelly’s background story fascinating. I like how the book is written chronologically, because it really illustrates the setbacks and obstacles, the hours of research, the human encounters and the brick-wall system which allowed this to happen.

I only hope this book serves as a reminder for people not to be complicit if they suspect abuse, no matter how famous or wealthy the perpetrator is, or how scary their bodyguards are.

Jim DeRogatis has sparked a fire in this book. I hope the fire continues to rage until books like this are no longer necessary.