R Kelly fans seek refunds amid claims a tribute act performed in his place

R Kelly fans, who paid $150 for a concert, are now demanding a refund after an impersonator allegedly performed in his place.

16:09 29 October 2013

An event that cost $150 a ticket advertised as Ced’s Black Tie Affair allegedly promised fans a live performance by R Kelly, but some fans who attended believe that the singer was switched with a tribute act.

Furious fans are now demanding a refund over claims that an impersonator performed in the place of the I Believe I Can Fly R’n’B singer.

R Kelly was scheduled to perform in Louisiana, US, this weekend. However, fans and other eyewitnesses said that the man who appeared onstage three hours after the advertised time was not the real R Kelly but his impersonator – a man dubbed R Jelly.

Sources said that the performer lip-synched to Kelly’s tracks before he was booed off stage.

One fan said: "The advertisement online through Ticketmaster said that it was a Ced's All Black Affair and R Kelly performing live, which did not happen last night.

"We were scammed because 10 o'clock we were there, no R Kelly. 11 o'clock; no R Kelly, 12 o'clock; no R Kelly, 12:45; no R Kelly. 1am, here comes an impersonator."

The singer has yet to comment but his publicist was quoted by the Daily Mirror: "The promoter issued a statement a short bit ago reaffirming this was always billed as a birthday bash with an "appearance" by R Kelly. No mention ever of a concert."

She added: "He was there, that is him."