AceShowbiz - R. Kelly thanked fans for their support as he took to the stage amid outrage over his alleged treatment of women. The defiant rapper and singer performed at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina on Friday, May 11, ignoring the protesters who had gathered outside.

A coalition of women's groups criticized arena officials for declining to meet with them ahead of Kelly's gig, and cited a "long term history of sexual misconduct" by the "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker. "The Coliseum has neglected to consider the Black women and girls that largely make up the community that relies on them for engagement and entertainment," the letter said.

Kelly, who faces a series of sexual violence allegations, and has been accused of running a "sex cult," had barely begun his set on Friday when he stopped the music to talk to his fans. "I've been through a lot of s**t this week," he said, before thanking the crowd "for y'all to fight for me all these years."

Kelly then launched into a sexually suggestive performance, rubbing a fan's cell phone between his legs and persuading another fan to wipe his face and crotch with a towel, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The gig was his first since music streaming service Spotify announced it would no longer stream his music in its playlists.

Kelly denies the allegations, and faces no current criminal charges.

The star was due to perform on May 5 in Chicago, but the gig was canceled amid heavy protests.

Last year the parents of two women alleged Kelly had "brainwashed" their daughters into a "sex cult." Former associates have also accused him of sexual violence and of confessing to grooming an underage girl to become his sex partner, claims he vehemently denies.

Kelly has been under renewed scrutiny after celebrities involved in the Time's Up movement, including Ava DuVernay and Shonda Rhimes, called on music industry executives to cut ties with Kelly over the allegations.