R. Kelly Did Not Release AI-Generated Song Supporting Burkina…

A viral AI-generated video falsely attributes a song praising Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore to R. Kelly. The clip, widely shared on social media, misrepresents its origins as an R&B release, while in reality, it’s purely synthetic and lacked official endorsement from Kelly’s representatives. This highlights ongoing issues with misinformation surrounding political figures in the region.

A misleading AI-generated video has surfaced on social media, falsely claiming that R&B singer R. Kelly released a new song in support of Ibrahim Traore, the controversial leader of Burkina Faso. Posts across platforms show a clip purportedly featuring R. Kelly, however, it was first published on YouTube with a clear disclaimer labeling it as synthetic content, produced entirely through artificial intelligence.

The video, which emerged on May 8, 2025, combines images of R. Kelly with those of Traore while an AI-composed song plays in the background. “Very emotional song,” claims a post that has circulated more than 41,000 times on TikTok. Text included with the video asserts that despite being incarcerated, R. Kelly is dedicating a song to Traore, who ascended to power following a military coup in 2022.

Lyrically, the song exudes praise towards Traore, declaring, “In the heart of Africa, I see your flame. A young man rises, we call his name Ibrahim Traore, standing tall for the love of his people…” The audio and accompanying text continue to glorify Traore, attempting to bind the artist’s image with the political climate in Burkina Faso.

These deceptive posts have been shared on Facebook as well, emanating from various accounts across Niger, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. Famous for tracks like “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly is currently serving a 30-year sentence due to multiple sex crime convictions, including child exploitation.

Despite his imprisonment, claims of a new release by Kelly have no basis. No announcements have been made by him or his team about fresh music sales. A search for the song’s lyrics yields no results from established artists, hinting that it’s likely the result of generative AI software.

Further scrutiny of the video’s visuals reveals inconsistencies typical of AI-generated content, like cartoonish animations and unnatural movements. At one point, a figure in the video remarkably appears with six fingers, another baffling AI error often flagged in such content.

Using reverse image searches, AFP Fact Check verified that this same video existed on YouTube prior to its social media spread, labeled as “altered or synthetic content.” The channel responsible had previously uploaded various AI-generated music videos involving numerous well-known artists, raising further doubts about authenticity.

In fact, this isn’t the first time misinformation surrounding R. Kelly has circulated. AFP Fact Check has tackled false claims about his alleged new releases and previously debunked another erroneous assertion linking French Malian singer Aya Nakamura to Traore. This whole situation reflects the broader trend of misleading content flooding social media, particularly pertaining to tumultuous political events in Burkina Faso and its neighbors.

In summary, claims of R. Kelly releasing a song to support Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore are completely false. The content is AI-generated and misrepresents the artist’s current situation and his lack of a new musical release. As misinformation spreads, the necessity for critical evaluation of such media is essential, especially in politically charged scenarios. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how easily AI-generated content can lead to public confusion.

Original Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com