Kelly charts with download-only track

R. Kelly leaves the Cook County criminal courthouse after a status hearing on child pornography charges. Photo / Reuters

R Kelly's hit "Good Sex" is the first song sold exclusively in digital form to hit the official chart.

Kelly faced a Chicago court last month for a status hearing over child pornography charges.

The success of his latest single follows the introduction of digital music sales into the New Zealand charts in April.

The song is available exclusively through Vodafone's music store, and is available to its Live! customers, who can download either to mobile or PC.

"This is the first time a single sold exclusively through Vodafone has made it into the Top 20 but it's definitely a sign of the times and there will be more to follow," says Vodafone's head of music Morgan Donoghue.

"New Zealand consumers are moving quickly to the new model of downloading music rather than buying it in the shops and the new chart reflects that.

"This is a turning point for the whole music market in New Zealand and we look forward to a bright future for digital sales."

- NZ HERALD STAFF