R. Kelly claims that he was sexually abused as a child by a female relative

Controversial rapper R. Kelly has claimed that he was sexually abused as a child by a female relative.

The music star, who was found not guilty on all 14 counts in his 2008 child pornography trial, explained that he now forgives the relative in question as it could have been to do with something they had been through in their life.

Speaking to Chris Heath of GQ magazine, he said: ‘I, well, definitely forgive them. As I’m older, I look at it and I know that it had to be not just about me and them, but them and somebody older than them when they were younger. I looked at it as if there was a sort of like, I don’t know, a generational curse, so to speak, going down through the family.’

Asked why the generational curse didn’t pass down to him, Kelly replied that he ‘opted to break it’ but added that misunderstandings occurred as his song lyrics were ‘taken far too literally’.

NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 13: R. Kelly attends Z100?s Jingle Ball 2013, presented by Aeropostale, at Madison Square Garden on December 13, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

Kelly said that the abuse began when he was just 8 but continued up until his teenage years and shared that while he was initially ‘ashamed’, he began to sometimes ‘look forward to it.’

Admitting that the experience made him ‘hornier’ and more ‘sexual’ than he should have been at a young age, he addressed the question of whether he wished the family member in question was brought to justice for the abuse by replying: ‘As I’m older, I’ve only learned to forgive it. Was it wrong? Absolutely. But it’s a family member that I love so I would definitely say no to that one. To be honest, even if my mom, I saw her kill somebody, I’m not gonna say, “Well, yeah, she definitely should go to jail.” It’s just something I wouldn’t do.’

American singer R. Kelly listens as Judge Karla Wright decides on $750,000 bail at the Polk County Courthouse on June 6, 2002, Bartow, Florida. Kelly waived extradition and will be sent back to Illinois. (Photo by George McGinn/Getty Images)

R.Kelly was initially arrested on suspicion of child pornography offences in 2002 when a video emerged allegedly showing him engaging in sexual activity with a minor. He was eventually acquitted in 2008, although his career has been dogged with numerous allegations.