You may know Kesha as a crazy party girl from her club bangers “Tik Tok” or “Die Young,” but she has been in the industry much longer than that (since 2005) and is much more than that. The songs I referenced may seem old to you, and that’s because Kesha has not released any new music in over three years, or rather has not been able to release any music in over three years. If you’re wondering why, it’s because of her legal dispute with Dr. Luke, which has been going on since October 2014 (The Washington Post).
Dr. Luke owns Kemosabe Records (a partner of Sony Music Entertainment), the label Kesha is signed to, and refuses to release her from her contract. In a sworn statement, Kesha has said that Dr. Luke drugged and raped her when she was 18, and psychologically abused her, leading to an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts that landed her in rehab in January 2014 (CBC News). This is why Kesha wants to be released from her contract; however, Dr. Luke has denied everything (in a sworn statement) and, in a countersuit, is claiming that Kesha just wants to get out of her contract.
Dr. Luke’s lawyers and Sony Music Entertainment claim Kesha is “violating the five-album agreement by not recording. They say she doesn’t have to work with him [Dr. Luke] personally, though he has rights to produce at least six songs on each of her albums and could pursue damages if he doesn’t [produce six songs on each of her albums] (CBC News),” but for obvious reasons, Kesha does not want to work with her accused rapist. On Friday, February 19, the New York Supreme Court turned down Kesha’s request for permission to record outside of her contract until the legal dispute is resolved (The Washington Post), since she “is being given the opportunity to record (CBC News).”
Although the problem currently lies in a lack of evidence, one can see how rape allegations, especially against celebrities, are not taken seriously. Rape allegations are difficult to prove just after the assault has occurred, and are nearly impossible to prove after some time has passed. As we all know, rape victims are often too afraid or in shock to come out immediately, because they are afraid they will not be taken seriously; and sadly, situations such as Kesha’s reinforce that belief. Kesha’s situation has the added dimension of a power imbalance because she was signed to his label.
Many fans and celebrities, including Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande and Lorde, have tweeted out their support for Kesha, and a #FreeKesha petition with over 165,000 signatures has been circulating. Others have been questioning why Kesha is being refused the opportunity to make music without her accused rapist, while stars like Chris Brown are not prevented from making music:
Whatever your opinion is on the situation, I think we can all agree that there needs to be a more effective way of handling rape allegations that does not blame or disadvantage the victim. Here’s to hoping that Kesha will soon be able to close this chapter and make music once again.
Sources obtained from:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/02/20…
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/kesha-not-released-contract-1.3456874
Image Sources obtained from:
http://images.newsflow24.com/1127/1127724/freekesha-the-internet-reacts-…
http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/12724756_1249301…
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/12733967_1062…
Information as of February 21, 2016.