CHICAGO (AP) - An emotional R. Kelly says he's being "assassinated" and denies sexually abusing women and controlling their lives.

"CBS This Morning" on Wednesday broadcast Kelly's first interview since he was charged with sexually abusing four people, including three underage girls. Kelly says "all of them are lying."

The R&B singer says he's done "lots of things wrong" when it comes to women, but he says he's apologized. He denies doing anything against their will.

The singer believes social media is to blame for creating the allegations against him.

At one point during the interview, Kelly stands up and rants, saying: "I have been buried alive, but I'm alive." He says he needs someone to help him "not have a big heart."

CBS says it interviewed Kelly for 80 minutes.

___

Check out the AP's complete coverage of the investigations into R. Kelly.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.