Debunking Misinformation: R. Kelly Did Not Support Burkina Faso’s Leader
Recent social media claims alleging that imprisoned singer R. Kelly released a song supporting Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traore are false. The video circulating is AI-generated, with no connection to Kelly, who is serving a 30-year sentence for sex crimes. Fact-checking reveals extensive manipulation and highlights misinformation surrounding music releases.
A recent social media claim suggested that singer R. Kelly had released a song supporting Burkina Faso’s military leader Ibrahim Traore. This notion has circulated widely, leading many to believe that the imprisoned R&B star had created a music video glorifying Traore. However, a closer examination reveals this claim to be completely unfounded, as the clip in question is generated by artificial intelligence and not an authorized work by Kelly.
The social media posts, which have reached thousands of shares, depict a fabricated music video featuring images of R. Kelly alongside Traore. The video was first uploaded on a YouTube channel on May 3, 2025, before its appearance on TikTok and various platforms, where it was flagged as synthetic content. The song’s lyrics express fervent admiration for Traore, referencing his military coup leadership in 2022.
Describing Traore as a hero, the song claims, “In the heart of Africa, I see your flame. A young man rises, we call his name Ibrahim Traore,” simplifying the message to evoke a sense of national pride. Posts also boldly state that even while incarcerated, R. Kelly has dedicated this song to Traore, further misleading audiences with phrases designed to concoct a narrative surrounding their connection.
R. Kelly, under his real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year sentence in North Carolina for serious sexual crimes. Known for famous hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” his music has now become a subject of misinformation especially concerning new releases. Since his imprisonment, any authorized music was quickly retracted, weakening claims of new songs emerging from him.
An involved verification effort reveals that there was no previous record of the lyrics being sung by an established artist. Searches related to these lyrics yielded no results linked to Kelly or any other musicians, hinting heavily that the song is an AI creation. Furthermore, the video also displays visual oddities typical of artificial intelligence outputs, adding to the evidence against its authenticity. Characters within the video exhibit robotic qualities; in one instance, a character displayed six fingers, indicating the flaws present in AI-generated images.
Using tools like Google Lens, AFP Fact Check found the video’s origin on the YouTube channel, which specializes in synthesized music featuring various well-known artists. The platform also described the content as prominently altered or digitally generated. This channel had a pattern of producing similar AI-generated videos attributing music to other artists, including prominent names like Beyonce and 2Pac, who passed away in 1996, which further questions credibility.
Previously, AFP Fact Check has debunked other false claims regarding R. Kelly’s music releases and unfounded endorsements related to Traore by artists in the music industry. As social media continues to be a breeding ground for misinformation, these types of assertions remind us to critically evaluate online content before accepting it as truth.
In summary, the claims surrounding a new song and video supposedly released by R. Kelly in support of Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traore, have been thoroughly debunked. The content in question is the result of artificial intelligence, not R. Kelly’s creation. Moreover, there have been no authorized announcements regarding new music from the singer, reaffirming that misleading information is rampant on social media concerning the ongoing situation in Burkina Faso.
Original Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com
