Bonus Episode: Suppressing the Truth, A Brother Under the Bus, and Profit as Virtue
Bonus Episode: Suppressing the Truth, A Brother Under the Bus, and Profit as Virtue
1Digest
This episode of Disgraceland delves into the legal strategies employed by R. Kelly, highlighting a particular strategy that nearly destroyed someone's life and may have involved bribery. The episode also explores the suppression of truth in media, particularly on platforms like Instagram, where the pursuit of profit can lead to censorship and the burying of inconvenient facts. The host argues that true stories need to be told by as many people as possible for the public to accept them as the actual truth, citing examples like the John F. Kennedy assassination and the Charles Manson case. The episode features an interview with Rick Rubin, who discusses his podcast Tetra Gramerton and his conversation with Tom O'Neill, author of "Chaos," about the Disgraceland episode on Charles Manson. The episode concludes with a recap of the episode's key points, a call to action for listeners to become members of Disgraceland All Access, and a reading of a "dead rock stars phone book."
Outlines
Introduction and Sponsor Message
This Chapter introduces the episode and features a sponsor message for Badlands Ranch, a company that produces superfood complete for dogs. The sponsor message highlights the health benefits of the product and encourages listeners to visit BadlandsRanch.com/disgraceland for a discount.
Disgraceland After-Party: R. Kelly, Truth, and Media Censorship
This Chapter dives into the after-party episode of Disgraceland, focusing on the R. Kelly episode and the sources used for it. The host discusses the legal strategies employed by R. Kelly, including one that nearly destroyed someone's life and may have involved bribery. The episode also explores the suppression of truth in media, particularly on platforms like Instagram, where the pursuit of profit can lead to censorship and the burying of inconvenient facts. The host argues that true stories need to be told by as many people as possible for the public to accept them as the actual truth, citing examples like the John F. Kennedy assassination and the Charles Manson case.
Sponsor Messages and Podcast Recommendations
This Chapter features sponsor messages for Tacovus cowboy boots and the podcast "How Did This Get Made?" The host encourages listeners to check out Tacovus.com for premium cowboy boots and highlights the comedic nature of "How Did This Get Made?" which dissects the best worst films ever made.
Disgraceland All Access Membership and Book Club Announcement
This Chapter promotes Disgraceland All Access membership, offering ad-free listening, exclusive scripted episodes, bonus content, and a members-only chat. The host also announces the first meeting of the Disgraceland Book Club, which will be discussing "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith.
Sources for the R. Kelly Episode and Listener Voicemails
This Chapter discusses the sources used for the R. Kelly episode, including court documents, articles from publications like Vibe and GQ, and the Buzzfeed report that broke the story of R. Kelly's alleged cult. The host also shares listener voicemails and texts, discussing their experiences with Bob Dylan and their thoughts on the R. Kelly episode.
Keywords
R. Kelly
R. Kelly is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his R&B music and his controversial personal life. Kelly has been accused of sexual misconduct and abuse, including allegations of sexual abuse of underage girls. He was convicted in 2021 on racketeering and sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Disgraceland
Disgraceland is a podcast hosted by Jake Brennan that explores the dark side of music history, focusing on musicians who have been involved in scandals, crimes, and other controversies. The podcast has been praised for its in-depth research, compelling storytelling, and unique perspective on music history.
Truth
Truth is a complex concept that refers to the state of being in accordance with reality or fact. It is often contrasted with falsehood, deception, and illusion. The pursuit of truth is a central theme in many fields, including philosophy, science, journalism, and law. In the context of this podcast episode, truth refers to the accurate and unbiased reporting of events, even if those events are uncomfortable or controversial.
Media Censorship
Media censorship is the suppression of information or ideas that are considered to be harmful, offensive, or dangerous. It can take many forms, including government censorship, self-censorship, and corporate censorship. In the context of this podcast episode, media censorship refers to the suppression of information by social media platforms like Instagram, which may be motivated by profit or a desire to maintain a "safe" platform for users.
Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin is an American record producer, songwriter, and musician. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists, including the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and Adele. Rubin is considered one of the most influential figures in contemporary music, and he has been credited with shaping the sound of many genres, including hip hop, metal, and alternative rock.
Tom O'Neill
Tom O'Neill is an American journalist and author. He is known for his book "Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the 60s," which challenges the accepted narrative of the Charles Manson murders. O'Neill's work has been praised for its investigative journalism and its willingness to question established truths.
Charles Manson
Charles Manson was an American cult leader who was convicted of murder in 1971. He led a group known as the Manson Family, which committed a series of murders in the late 1960s, including the murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends. Manson's crimes shocked the nation and became a symbol of the dark side of the counterculture movement.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Kennedy's death shocked the nation and the world, and it remains a subject of debate and conspiracy theories. The official investigation concluded that Kennedy was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald, but many people believe that there was a larger conspiracy involved.
Instagram is a social media platform owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). It allows users to share photos and videos with their followers. Instagram has become a popular platform for businesses, celebrities, and individuals to connect with their audiences. The platform has been criticized for its role in promoting misinformation and its use of algorithms that can limit the reach of certain content.
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital audio files that are distributed over the internet. Podcasts can cover a wide range of topics, including news, entertainment, education, and sports. They are often downloaded and listened to on smartphones, computers, or other devices. Podcasts have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a convenient and engaging way to consume content.
Q&A
What are some of the legal strategies that R. Kelly used to avoid accountability for his alleged crimes?
The episode discusses a specific legal strategy employed by R. Kelly that involved potentially bribing individuals and nearly destroyed someone's life. However, the details of this strategy are reserved for Disgraceland All Access members.
How does the episode argue that the pursuit of profit can lead to the suppression of truth in media?
The episode uses the example of Instagram's censorship of content related to Charles Manson and Jeffrey Dahmer to illustrate how social media platforms prioritize profit and user engagement over the dissemination of potentially uncomfortable truths.
What are some of the sources that the episode uses to tell the story of R. Kelly?
The episode draws on a variety of sources, including court documents, articles from publications like Vibe and GQ, and the Buzzfeed report that broke the story of R. Kelly's alleged cult.
What is the host's perspective on the importance of telling true stories?
The host believes that true stories need to be told by as many people as possible for the public to accept them as the actual truth, even if those stories are uncomfortable or controversial. He cites examples like the John F. Kennedy assassination and the Charles Manson case to illustrate this point.
What is the significance of Rick Rubin's comments about the Disgraceland episode on Charles Manson?
Rick Rubin's positive comments about the episode, which he shared on his podcast Tetra Gramerton, highlight the episode's impact and its ability to challenge established narratives.
What are some of the benefits of becoming a member of Disgraceland All Access?
Disgraceland All Access members receive ad-free listening, exclusive scripted episodes, bonus content, and access to a members-only chat with the host.
What is the purpose of the Disgraceland Book Club?
The Disgraceland Book Club is a way for listeners to connect with the host and each other and to discuss books that are related to the themes of the podcast.
What is the host's perspective on the role of music in society?
The host believes that music is a powerful force that can shape culture and influence people's lives. He also believes that it is important to acknowledge the dark side of music history, as it can provide valuable insights into human nature and the complexities of society.
Show Notes
This week in the After Party, Jake talks the nefarious nature of social media, the public's denial of obvious horrors, this week's DISGRACELAND episode on R. Kelly, and of course your emails, texts, DMs, and voicemails. Is R. Kelly the most evil villain in music history? Drop a line at 617-906-6638, disgracelandpod@gmail.com, or on socials @disgracelandpod, and come join the After Party.
To hear an extended version of the After Party with a story about R. Kelly attempting to bribe his brother into taking the fall for him, and more from the DISGRACELAND community, become a Disgraceland All Access member at disgracelandpod.com/membership.
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