Nationwide — R&B legend Teddy Riley is apologizing for defending R. Kelly after suggesting he would help release 25 albums the singer reportedly recorded in prison. Riley says his love for music clouded his judgment, and he regrets his comments.

Riley sparked backlash after a candid interview with the Los Angeles Times promoting his memoir Remember the Times. He had claimed he spoke to R. Kelly by phone and planned to involve investors in releasing the singer’s prison recordings.

He said, “Everybody deserves a second chance. Everyone deserves to repent, and everyone gets forgiven by God when you come to him. People miss his music. I’m the messenger to bring R&B back.”

After the criticism, Riley posted a lengthy apology on Instagram. “If my comments caused hurt, I sincerely apologize. That was never my intention,” he wrote. He added that while he loves music, it should never overshadow the pain survivors of abuse have endured.

According to Vice, Riley clarified that his ideas about releasing Kelly’s music were just “a creative idea discussed in passing” and “it is not something that will move forward.” He noted, “Loving music and recognizing its cultural impact does not mean condoning harmful behavior, and I want to be clear about that.”

“I take seriously the impact that abuse and misconduct have had on survivors and their families. Their experiences matter, and they deserve to be acknowledged with care and respect,” he emphasized.

R. Kelly remains behind bars, serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking convictions. Riley’s earlier comments followed a now-deleted Instagram post in which he shared audio of Kelly covering a Chris Brown song and calling Riley the “King of R&B.”