DJ Holiday Bryce from WXAV 88.3FM and I sat down with pop music critic and co-host of Sound Opinions, Jim DeRogatis. The three of us explored the vast world of journalism, music and all things R. Kelly.
As an NYU graduate and previous Chicago Sun-Times music critic, DeRogatis is well known in the music scene and always knew he wanted to write about music. He wasn’t waiting around for anyone, if he wanted it done he did it himself. “No one’s gonna publish you, do it yourself.”
He knew he had a niche for record reviews, so he pursued this as a career and hasn’t stopped since. It all started when he discovered a rack of records that his late father had left behind. They had an “ancient form” of a record player that DeRogatis refers to as a piece of “furniture.”
After this discovery, he began to play all of these records and immediately fell in love with “cheesy country/western singer” Frankie Laine. Ever since then, DeRogatis’ interest for music only kept growing.
His journalistic success in the music industry has been remarkable and unforgettable. What makes DeRogatis stand out from the rest is his authenticity and love for music as well as his dedication to those victimized by R&B artist, R. Kelly.
“A lot of horrible people make great art, you know R. Kelly is now officially the biggest predator in the history of popular music, where men have been treating women badly since the Bobby Soxers of the forties to last week.”
He became the voice of Kelly’s victims. These victims weren’t heard nor seen, and were “vilified” all over social media, according to DeRogatis.
But DeRogatis became their listening ear. He had many sleepless nights and began to smoke once this story surfaced, but he didn’t lose sight of these victims even if it was taking a toll on his overall health.
“I didn’t start smoking until this damn story, that is nothing compared to the courage of the women who spoke out, what they endured from their families, from their churches, being vilified on social media..”
DeRogatis is well aware that the justice system has failed women of color. He believes that we all need to come together and make as much noise as we can. He mentioned the “Mute R. Kelly” movement and commemorated activists Keynette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye for their bravery.
“They were ferocious, they were focused, they were not gonna shut up about people giving this man their concert dollars, their music buying dollars when he was destroying the lives of young black women.”
Although the exposure of R. Kelly took a toll on DeRogatis’ health, he still hasn’t lost sense of what journalism means to him and his hope for future generations in the media.
“Traditional broadcasting and traditional dead tree journalism is completely dying and needs a serious reinvention, so it is your generation that needs to find the answer to how these important vital public services can be sustained, you know it’s on you!”
No pressure DeRogatis, no pressure.
It is extremely rare to see someone my age pick up a newspaper, let alone even educate themselves on current events.
DeRogatis is right, it is on us and if we don’t do our part in sustaining these vital public services we will lose sight of where journalism initially started.
You can listen to our full conversation here: