Kamaal Williams’ gigs in Leeds, Manchester, London and Bristol cancelled following sexual assault allegations
Kamaal Williams’ gigs in Leeds, Manchester, London and Bristol have all been cancelled following sexual assault allegations that have been printed yesterday (Might 22).
The London digital jazz musician (actual identify Henry Wu) was accused of alleged sexual assault by three completely different girls. As investigated by Resident Advisor, the three nameless girls have claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Williams in 2010, 2021 and 2023.
A consultant for Williams has shared a press release saying that the “very severe allegations are unfaithful and emphatically denied by him and that he’ll be capable to show the identical,” (per Resident Advisor).
A day after the investigation was printed (Might 23), Williams’ upcoming UK gigs have all now been cancelled. The musician was attributable to play at Leeds’ Belgrave Music Corridor this Saturday (Might 25), together with a present at The Blues Kitchen Manchester (Might 26), a three-night residency at London’s Jazz Cafe (Might 29, 30, 31) earlier than concluding his tour at Bristol’s Central Warehouse (June 7).
NME has reached out to Williams for a response to the allegations.
Resident Advisor‘s investigation spoke to a few of Williams’ alleged victims, every of whom have been unrelated to one another however recounted related alleged occasions.
The primary girl alleged that when she was 17 in 2010, she met Williams – who was nonetheless often called Henry Wu on the time – by her then-boyfriend who was associates with the musician on the time.
Whereas her and her boyfriend have been on a break, she ran into Williams at a celebration the place he allegedly made passes to kiss her quite a few instances. She claimed that the next day she had discovered a shawl in her bag and posted on Fb “Who put their scarf in my bag final night time? It’s nonetheless there.”
The musician allegedly claimed it was his and invited her to his home to drop it off, claiming his youthful brother was dwelling and he couldn’t be left alone. The nameless girl went on to assert that as quickly as she arrived, he tried to kiss her to which she rejected however ultimately relented and kissed him again.
Williams then reportedly “turned me round, pushed me towards the wall into the coat racks, held his arm on my again, and tried to tug my leggings down,” with the girl including that he supplied her a cup of tea as a approach to diffuse the state of affairs. She added that he left to the kitchen and got here again, sat subsequent to her on the couch and tried to make a move at her once more.
She claimed that Williams raped her on the couch towards her will. She added that she by no means reported the rape on the time however she “made some extent to inform folks” in regards to the encounter. She added that she was reluctant to make use of the phrase “rape” attributable to her being so younger and I believe I didn’t fairly perceive what that was.”
The second girl allegedly met Williams after he performed a present on the launch social gathering for a London radio station in August 2021. She went on to assert he had blamed his actions on being autistic and alleged he had spiked her drink at a bar and didn’t keep in mind something that occurred after that drink. Nonetheless, she alleged that she awakened in his mattress disorientated the subsequent day.
Apparently, Williams met the girl the subsequent day at a meals stall to clarify what occurred that night time. Claiming he wanted to retrieve one thing from his automotive, Williams allegedly “linked my arm fairly forcefully” on hers and supplied to drop her off at her place.
When the girl apparently rejected his provide, requesting he take her to a close-by station as an alternative, Williams took her to his place with cans of nitrous oxide, the place the girl claimed he insisted she inhale the fuel from a balloon. The girl claimed though she verbally rejected his advances, Williams allegedly proceeded to rape her.
The third girl claimed that she had met Williams in her native nation again in August 2023 and a second time in London that very same 12 months. She claimed she invited him out for some drinks with associates however he turned up in his automotive and wished to go jam at a studio, additionally telling her he was autistic, which was the explanation he might act unusually.
She claimed that although she agreed to hitch him, she felt the “the vibes have been off immediately.” Allegedly within the studio, Williams advised the girl that he had by no means felt “this manner about somebody and genuinely didn’t know the right way to course of these emotions.” The girl went on to assert that she rejected his advances and determined to depart however the musician insisted on driving her dwelling.
Williams reportedly known as the girl the next day to ask if she was upset with him. “I believed, ‘He’s on the spectrum and possibly I ought to give him an opportunity,’” she advised the outlet. The girl continued to talk to the musician commonly whereas he was away on tour, ultimately agreeing to fulfill in her hometown and reluctantly choosing him up from the airport after he allegedly started giving her “actual asshole vibes” by always calling her whereas she was with household.
Upon arriving to the lodge, Williams allegedly tried to kiss her within the elevator and he or she backed away. Whereas within the room, the girl claimed to had reluctantly let the musician kiss her however she rejected his advances for something additional. “I continued telling him I don’t wish to do that. I used to be like, ‘Why can’t you settle for that I’m uncomfortable?’” she mentioned. The girl claimed that he sexually assaulted her shortly after.
All three girls’s accounts have been confirmed by associates who spoke to Resident Advisor to corroborate their alleged assaults.
For assist, recommendation or extra info relating to sexual harassment, assault and rape within the UK, go to the Rape Crisis charity website. Within the US, go to RAINN.