Allegations against R. Kelly: What to know

The Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” sparked renewed interest in allegations of sexual misconduct by the singer.

But the accusations of abuse, manipulation and inappropriate encounters with girls and young women have been around — and vehemently denied — by Kelly for decades.

January 1992

Kelly’s debut album, “Born into the 90’s,” is released a year after he signs a deal with Jive Records. It features his group Public Announcement and includes hit singles “Honey Love,” “Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)” and “She’s Got That Vibe.” Fans will later note that one of the lyrics on the latter says, “Little cute Aaliyah’s got it.”

November 1993

Kelly releases his solo album “12 Play.” Songs such as “Bump n’ Grind” and “Your Body’s Callin’ ” firmly cement his image as an artist specializing in sexual lyrics.

August 1994

The 27-year-old singer reportedly marries his 15-year-old protégé, Aaliyah Haughton. Kelly is the lead songwriter and producer on her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number.”

Vibe magazine later publishes a copy of what they report is the couple’s marriage license, listing Haughton’s age as 18.

The marriage is annulled the following year after Aaliyah’s family becomes aware of it, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Haughton is killed in a plane crash in August 2001.

1996

Kelly marries dancer/choreographer Andrea Lee in a private ceremony.

December 1996

Tiffany Hawkins files suit against Kelly as well as his record, publishing and management companies, claiming personal injuries and emotional damage arising from an alleged sexual relationship with Kelly, which she says began when she was 15 and ended when she was 18.

That case is reportedly settled out of court.

Around the same time, Kelly’s gospel-tinged single “I Believe I Can Fly” is included in the film “Space Jam,” starring Michael Jordan. The song becomes one of the singer’s biggest hits.

December 2000

Jim Derogatis and Abdon M. Pallasch publish their first report in the Chicago Sun-Times on allegations of Kelly having sexual relationships with girls as young as 15.

The article outlines the Hawkins suit as well as Kelly’s marriage to Haughton.

According to the story, Chicago police had twice investigated allegations that Kelly was having sex with an underage girl but dropped the investigations because the girl would not cooperate.

A representative for Kelly declines to comment.

January 2001

Derogatis anonymously receives a videotape that appears to show Kelly having sex with a young woman, he later reports in the Sun-Times.

Out of concern that the person on the tape may be underage, it is turned over to Chicago police.

August 2001

Tracy Sampson, an aspiring rapper and former intern at Epic Records, files a lawsuit against Kelly, claiming he initiated a sexual relationship with her when she was 17.

The case is settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

February 2002