The Decades-Long Fight to #FreeKesha

Kesha Rose Sebert was born on March 1, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. Her mother, Patricia "Pebe" Sebert, was a singer-songwriter who co-wrote Dolly Parton's hit "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You." Kesha's early exposure to the music industry had a significant impact on her songwriting, as she began writing and performing her own songs at a young age.

Throughout her career, Kesha has been known for her catchy pop hooks, electrifying performances, and outspoken personality. She’s won multiple awards, including MTV Europe Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and People's Choice Awards.

Lukasz Gottwald got his start on SNL and made his fame working with songwriting and producing for pop-stars such as Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Britney Spears.

The fledgling pop-star was managed by DAS before being coerced into again working with Dr. Luke. Though she wasn’t compensated or credited, Ke$ha quickly saw return on investment in terms of popularity with her big break on the Flo Rida hit “Right Round.” The song became a massive success, topping the charts in multiple countries and introducing Kesha to a global audience. Later that year, Kesha signed a record deal with RCA Records and began working on her debut album.

In 2010, Kesha released her debut single, "Tik Tok," which quickly became a global sensation, topping the charts in multiple countries and spending nine weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Kesha's debut album, Animal, was released shortly after and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album spawned several more hit singles, including "Blah Blah Blah," "Your Love Is My Drug," and "Take It Off."

Kesha's success continued with the release of her second album, "Warrior," in 2012. The album featured a more rock-oriented sound and included the hit singles "Die Young" and "C'mon." Kesha's music and image began to evolve during this period, with her incorporating more personal and political themes into her work.

But Kesha has been embroiled in a legal battle against her former producer, Dr. Luke, since 2014. The dispute arose when Kesha accused Dr. Luke of sexual assault and emotional abuse beginning in 2005.

"...And Now Some Shit's About to Go Down"

In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke seeking to be released from her contract with his record label, Kemosabe Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Kesha claimed that Dr. Luke had sexually assaulted her and emotionally abused her to the extent that it had affected her mental health and her ability to work.

In January 2014, Kesha checks into rehab for an eating disorder and ongoing mental health issues as indicated in the charges against Dr. Luke. Dr. Luke responded by filing a defamation lawsuit THE SAME DAY.

In September 2015, Kesha files an emergency preliminary injunction request to be released from her record contract with Dr. Luke in fear of her career suffering “irreparable harm” as she cannot release music without his involvement.

“I cannot work with this monster,” writes Kesha in an affidavit. “I physically cannot. I don’t feel safe in any way.”

Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson has been outspoken about her disdain for the producer since 2009, voluntarily forgoing up to millions of dollars by refusing a songwriting credit featuring Dr. Luke on “My Life Would Suck Without You.”

“I love people,” says Clarkson to Z100. “I would work with anyone in the world but this one person.” She tells KIIS FM Australia that she only worked with him because she was “blackmailed by her label.”

While P!NK has accused him of stealing her work and Lady Gaga has alluded to abuse she endured at the hands of an unnamed music producer at the age of 19. “I can’t watch another person go through what I went through.”

While Dr. Luke’s initial suits were dismissed on the basis of lack of jurisdiction, Pebe claimed in a 2016 tweet that Dr. Luke tried to blackmail her into removing her songwriting credit two years following the hit single “Timber” by blocking all 16 writers from being paid. Dr. Luke denied the allegations and countersued for defamation, claiming the accusations by Kesha and her mother had caused him significant damage and harm to his reputation and were attempts to extort him.

The Free Kesha movement began picking up steam, with Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga pledging their support on social media channels and Adele asserting her support at an awards show. While Taylor Swift donated toward Kesha’s legal fees, Lovato seemed to take issue with Swift’s political correctness and lack of transparent activism.

Despite the subsequent protests at Sony headquarters, the company released a statement claiming they had no intentions of releasing Kesha from her contract, or removing Dr. Luke from the equation.

Dr. Luke finally addresses the allegations weeks later in a tweet, stating pointedly that he “didn’t rape Kesha” and that she was “like his little sister.”

He later agreed to release Kesha from her contract if she agreed to recant her allegations against him. “I would rather ruin my career than lie for a monster ever again,” she tells Instagram.

Kesha went on to perform at the Billboard awards and did eventually drop her California lawsuit. “With respect to the Prescription Agreement… Gottwald’s allegedly abusive behavior was foreseeable.”

Rainbow made a statement in itself, lead by the smash single "Praying", a direct response to Luke’s alleged abuse and the ongoing legal battle.

In February 2020, Kesha suffered a setback in her legal battle when New York judge Judge Jennifer Schecter ruled that she had defamed Dr. Luke in text messages to Lady Gaga over a rumor circulating throughout the label that Katy Perry had also been victimized by the producer. Katy Perry eventually denied these claims, and ordered Kesha to pay nearly $400,000 in interest on over $1.3 million in previous royalties on top of those from her latest albums Rainbow and High Road.

"Too Many People I Got Left to Prove Wrong"

Despite this setback, Kesha has continued to fight the legal battle and has received support from other artists and the #MeToo movement. In August 2020, Kesha was granted permission to amend her counterclaims against Dr. Luke, which included allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress, gender-based violence, and discrimination.

A joint statement was released by both Kesha and Dr. Luke in June 2023. The Instagram post reads: "Kesha and Dr. Luke have agreed to a resolution of the lawsuit, and have agreed to issue a joint statement regarding that resolution...

Kesha: "Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved.

Dr. Luke: "While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years. It is time for me to put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life. I wish Kesha well."

While Kesha continues to be a powerful voice for self-expression and individuality, Lukasz Gottwald was recently recieved his third ASCAP’s pop songwriter of the year award since 2010 and continues to work with performers like Saweetie, The Kid Laroi, Kim Petras, and Doja Cat. While Doja signed to Kemosabe at the age of 17 just months before the suit, pop-up acts continue to work with the label.