CONTENT WARNING: The following article mentions sexual abuse.
Back in January of this year, Lady Gaga removed ‘Do What U Want’, the R. Kelly-featuring track from her 2013 album ARTPOP, from streaming services.
She issued an apology at the time, saying “As a victim of sexual assault myself, I made both the song and the video at a dark time in my life, my intention was to create something extremely defiant and provocative because I was angry and still hadn’t processed the trauma that had occurred in my own life. The song is called “Do What U Want (With My Body),” I think it’s clear how explicitly twisted my thinking was at the time.
“If I could go back and have a talk with my younger self I’d tell her to go through the therapy I have since then, so that I could understand the confused post-traumatic state that I was in—or if therapy was not available to me or anyone in my situation—to seek help, and speak as openly and honestly as possible about what we’ve been through.”
Now, Gaga is re-issuing the album on CD and vinyl, and eagle-eyed fans have noticed that the track list doesn’t include the R. Kelly track either, sharing the information on the Lady Gaga fansite GagaDaily.
In July, Kelly was arrested on sex trafficking and child pornography charges, and he is currently in jail awaiting trial.
