R Kelly charged fans $100 to see him perform for less than 30 seconds amid ongoing claims of sexual abuse against the singer.
He sang a line from one of his songs before spending half-an-hour meeting fans during the appearance in Springfield, Illinois.
The R&B singer has been accused of abusing underage girls and is facing ten charges linked to four alleged victims, including three minors.
He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ahead of the appearance at the Dirty South Lounge, Kelly called on the media to “take it easy on him.”
He added: “This is how I’ve got to get paid now so I’ve gotta go do this event.
“When you see me in the club with a couple of drinks in my hand chilling, please, take it easy.”
Local TV stations reported that 100 people attended the 450-person-capacity club to see Kelly, who arrived at 1:30 a.m.
The entry fee was reduced to $50 once the singer arrived.
The stations report that some fans said it wasn't worth the $100 and that they wouldn't pay again.
Fans also said they separate the accusations from the "artist."
