Kesha announced on Monday that she is taking a new career step.
The singer, who was previously signed to major label RCA and the Dr. Luke-founded label Kemosabe Records, is now going independent.
Kesha said in a statement that she will launch her own independent record label, which will be distributed worldwide in partnership with ADA, which handles independent distribution and label services for Warner Music Group.
“I am proud to announce this partnership for the distribution of my music through Kesha Records,” she said, according to Variety.
The development comes after she concluded her long-running legal saga with Dr. Luke, after previously accusing him of sexual abuse.
Kesha announced Monday that she is launching her own independent record label distributed by ADA, which handles independent distribution and label services for Warner Music Group; set to open September 12 in Hollywood
She was previously signed to RCA and Kemosabe Records, which Dr. Luke, whom she accused of drugging and raping her, co-founded; pictured in Hollywood in 2014
Last year, she also took aim at Sean “Diddy” Combs by changing the lyrics of her hit song “TIk Tok” in which she referenced him to lyrics in which she slammed him after he was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
The rapper was later charged and arrested for assault, extortion and prostitution.
In her statement, Kesha shared her principles and the name of her new label as a way to achieve her goals and help emerging musicians.
“My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and all future artists who sign to my label,” she said. “Music has the power to connect the world, and I strive for my work to be a beacon of light and goodness.”
She hinted that her career was partly disrupted by her years-long legal battle with Dr. Luke, adding, “I look forward to taking control of my narrative and rewriting my story in the music industry.”
ADA President Cat Kreidich also commented on Kesha’s new venture in a statement: “Since the beginning of her career, Kesha’s authenticity has distinguished her as a true artist whose vibrant self-expression resonates strongly with her fans. We believe ADA is the ideal home for her, and we are honored and committed to supporting Kesha as an independent artist while maintaining her creative integrity and unapologetically bold spirit.”
Crush Music, which partners with ADA to market and promote Kesha’s music, added in a statement: “We are honored to be on this journey of joy with Kesha as she embarks on a new entrepreneurial phase in her career and continues to build Kesha Records with the support of the entire Crush and ADA service team.”
Although she has only now announced the details of the formation of her new label, Kesha made her debut as an independent artist in July with the release of her single Joyride.
“My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and all future artists who sign to my label,” Kesha said of her new label
Although she only just announced the formation of her new label, Kesha made her debut as an independent artist in July with the release of her single Joyride
In December, Kesha (real name: Kesha Rose Sebert) celebrated her final release from Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records by posting a joyful nude photo on Instagram.
Her 2023 album Gag Order, which peaked at #168 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, was her final release for the controversial producer’s label.
It was also reported at the time that Kesha had quit her management company, Vector Management.
Kesha cements her new independent contract with an album release scheduled for 2025.
The new album marks the first time the Right Round singer has had full creative control and ownership over her music.
Fellow pop singer Katy Perry has recently found herself in hot water following the release of her critically-derided new album 143, after fans criticized her for working with Dr. Luke on the LP, despite Kesha’s accusations against him.
After Kesha filed a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Luke had drugged and raped her (which he vehemently denied), the producer filed a defamation lawsuit against her, claiming she had fabricated the claims and tarnished his character.
The lawsuits were eventually settled in June 2023. During the announcement, Kesha said that “only God knows what happened that night,” referring to the night she alleged she was sexually assaulted.
Dr. Luke, who has vehemently denied Kesha’s allegations, is responsible for producing some of the biggest hits of the past few decades, and he continues to have chart-topping hits, though he now uses a pseudonym to avoid controversy; seen with Miley Cyrus in 2014
However, Dr. Luke said he was “absolutely certain nothing had happened. I never drugged her or assaulted her.”
Kesha went on to say that she couldn’t “explain everything that happened that night,” but that she “just wishes peace to all parties involved.”
Dr. Luke — born Lukasz Gottwald — is one of the most successful producers of the past decades and the songs he produced are a fixture on the pop charts, although he now often uses a pseudonym.
Kesha sued him in 2014, but Dr. Luke has never been charged with a crime related to her allegations.