NEW YORK - Singer R. Kelly, the target of a boycott campaign over his treatment of women, hit back Tuesday in a 19-minute song in which he reveals he was abused himself.

Entitled "I Admit," the marathon song nonetheless is heavier on denials than acknowledgement as the "I Believe I Can Fly" star vents frustration over the stream of allegations against him.

"I never thought it would come to this, to be the most disrespected artist," he sings over a mid-tempo R&B beat.

"So I had to write a song about this, 'cause they always take my words and twist it."

Halfway through the song, Kelly says that a family member touched him sexually from a young age until he was 14.

"So scared to say something / So I just put the blame on me / Now here I am, and I'm trying my best to be honest."

The Time's Up movement for gender equality has urged the music industry to part ways with Kelly in the wake of Bill Cosby's conviction, calling for a world in which women "can pursue their dreams free from sexual assault, abuse and predatory behavior." - AFP