It’s been a busy 24 hours for B2K’s Raz-B.
First, the singer took to social media to announce that he’s quitting the group’s The Millenium Tour because he felt that his safety was in jeopardy due to Chris Stokes allegedly being around.
Later, he returned to social media to announce that he’s still on the tour.
via Complex:
“I am a work in progress,” Raz told fans in an Instagram Story update early Wednesday. “I appreciate the outpouring of love, empathy, and understanding from my supporters.”
The assurance to fans arrives on the heels of a previous Instagram Story update from Raz in which he revealed he didn’t feel safe on the road. “Actually, let me correct myself,” he said. “Raz-B is actually off the tour. I don’t feel safe because I feel like Chris Stokes is around. I’m off the tour.”
At the time, Raz added that he was willing to talk to Omarion about continuing with the scheduled dates. In a subsequent update, Raz tagged the official Lifetime account and proposed a Surviving R. Kelly style documentary about Stokes, B2K’s former manager. “I’m ready to talk,” he said.
Back in 2007, Raz accused Stokes of sexually abusing him as a child. His brother, Ricardo “Ricky Romantic” Thornton, made similar allegations against Stokes. Among other things, Raz characterized Stokes as an “incest perpetrator” who allegedly took advantage of him during his time with the group.
Stokes denied the allegations, as did Omarion. “I want to be on the record as saying that ‘Raz-B’ Thornton and Ricardo Thornton are lying regarding Chris Stokes,” Omarion told MTV at the time, adding that Stokes was a “father figure” to himself and others in the music business. “I stand behind him with no question whatsoever,” he said.
The allegations were mentioned again by Stokes following the announcement of B2K’s Millennium Tour in December and January. In a series of tweets, Stokes again denied the allegations and said he wishes the group well moving forward.
The next scheduled stop on the B2K tour is at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York on March 14.
Lord. We knew this reunion wouldn’t happen so smoothly.
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