Images by Bobby Doherty for New York Magazine.

In 2013, an interview with music journalist Jim DeRogatis, published in The Village Voice, dramatically changed the way that the current general of young music fans viewed R. Kelly.

Fifteen years prior to that interview, DeRogatis broke a harrowing story that defined his career. He wrote a bombshell piece detailing his findings that support Kelly’s apparent predatory behavior towards young, underage girls. That same year DeRogatis received a tape in the mail which many believe to be R. Kelly engaging in several sex acts with a girl who appears to about 12 or 13 years old.

DeRogatis talked about his research as well as the alleged victims and acquaintances of R. Kelly that he had spoken to. The interview quickly amassed thousands of shares over several social media platforms and attracted just as many comments. It was also published just days after a failed Twitter Q&A with the singer had been bombarded with questions and jokes about his sexual predilections.

The next year, in July 2014, following a petition, R. Kelly was dropped as the headlining act for the Fashion and Music festival in Columbus, Ohio. Nearly a year before that, despite protests from several women’s organizations, Kelly had performed at Coachella with indie band Phoenix.

Lady Gaga also distanced herself from the singer. She re-recorded their sexy single “Do What U Want,” with Christina Aguilera singing R. Kelly’s part, and opted not to release the music video for the original song. The steamy video was directed by fashion photographer Terry Richardson, who has also been accused of sexual-misconduct many times throughout his career.

In a new interview with New York Magazine R. Kelly tells his side of the story, sort of.

Do you have a sexual attraction to underage girls? I ask.

“That’s a rumor that comes from the Earth, like all rumors,” he says, sounding almost bored.

So it’s not true?

“No. It’s not true. I love women, period. If I wasn’t a celebrity, people wouldn’t be saying these things about me.”

How do you explain people close to you saying that you have a problem?

“I don’t know those people you’re talking about.”

I clarify: his brother, his ex-publicist, his former friend and longtime personal assistant.

“All those people have been fired by me. If you’re going to ask me these questions, you have to make sense out of it. It wasn’t until after they got fired that they said these things. Go figure. I got one life, and I don’t want to spend it talking about negativity. I’ve moved on. Maybe you haven’t.”

It’s not crazy to think that where there’s smoke there’s fire.

“Let’s correct that,” he says. “Smoke can be anything. I’ve seen smoke and then I looked and there was no fire.”

And what about all the settlements? All the rumors?

“I understand the game,” Kelly says. “Get as much dirt as you can on somebody, get it all together, and make it real juicy so we can sell some papers. I understand the job you guys have to do.”

How do you explain the tape that Jim DeRogatis got?

“I don’t have no recollection of none of that. My lawyers handled that, what, eight, nine years ago?”

Do you have a sexual compulsion or problem that you need help with?

“I only have a problem with haters. Other than that, I’m doing well. I feel better than ever with my album The Buffet.”

In your career, you’ve often sung about forgiveness. What do you need to be forgiven for?

“I go to church. I ask for forgiveness. Don’t make a big deal out of R. Kelly saying it in a song. I believe in God. I fear God. I don’t want to go to hell.”

Do you think you might?

“Young fella,” he says, “absolutely.”

Read more at New York Magazine.