Kesha announced that she’s starting a new course for her career on Monday.
The singer, who has previously been signed to the major label RCA and its Dr. Luke–founded imprint Kemosabe Records, is now going it alone.
Kesha said in a statement that she was starting her own independent record label, which will be distributed globally 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 wrapped up her long-running legal saga with Dr. Luke after previously accusing him of sexual assault.
Kesha announced Monday that she’s starting her own independent record label with distribution by ADA, handles independent distribution and label services for Warner Music Group; seen September 12 in Hollywood
She was previously signed to RCA and Kemosabe Records, which Dr. Luke — whom she had accused of drugging and raping her — had co-founded; pictured in 2014 in Hollywood
She also took aim at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs last year by changing lyrics referencing him in her hit song ‘TIk Tok’ to lines bashing him after he was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
The rapper was later indicted and arrest on sexual assault, racketeering and prostitution charges.
In her statement, Kesha shared her principals and cast her new label as a way to extend her goals to help rising musicians.
‘My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity, and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and any future artists signed to my label,’ she said. ‘Music has the power to connect the world, and I aspire for my work to be a beacon of light and goodness.’
She alluded to how her career was partially derailed by her years-long legal wrangling with Dr. Luke, adding: ‘I am excited to take control of my narrative and rewrite my story in the music business.’
ADA President Cat Kreidich also reacted to Kesha’s new venture in a statement: ‘Since the start 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’re honored and committed to supporting Kesha as an independent artist while maintaining her creative integrity and unapologetic bold-spirit.’
Crush Music, which will be partnering with ADA for marketing and promotion of Kesha’s music, added in its own statement: ‘We are honored to be on this joyride with Kesha as she embarks on this new entrepreneurial phase of her career and continues to build Kesha Records with the support of Crush’s full service team and ADA.’
Although she was only now detailing the creation of her new label, Kesha actually made her debut as an independent artist back 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 any future artists signed to my label,’ Kesha said of her new label
Although she was only now detailing the creation of her new label, Kesha actually made her debut as an independent artist back in July with the release of her single Joyride
In December, Kesha (real name: Kesha Rose Sebert) celebrated finally freeing herself from Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records by posting a jubilant nude photo to Instagram.
Her 2023 album gag order, which stalled on the Billboard 200 albums chart at 168, was her final release for the controversial producer’s label.
At the time, Kesha was also reported to have dropped her management company, Vector Management.
Kesha will be cementing her new independent deal with an album release slated 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 gotten herself in hot water following the release of her critically derided new album 143, after fans lambasted her for working with Dr. Luke on the LP despite Kesha’s allegations against him.
Following Kesha’s lawsuit claiming that Dr. Luke had drugged and raped her, which he has strenuously denied, the producer filed a defamation suit against her in which he said she made up the claims and had tarnished his character.
The lawsuits were finally settled in June 2023. During the announcement, Kesha said that ‘only God knows what happened that night,’ referencing the night she claimed she had been sexually assaulted.
Dr. Luke, who strenuously denied Kesha’s allegations, is responsible for producing some of the biggest hits of recent decades, and he continues to have hits on the charts, though he now uses a pseudonym to avoid controversy; seen with Miley Cyrus in 2014
However, Dr. Luke said that he was ‘absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her.’
Kesha went on to say that she could not ‘recount everything that happened,’ on the night in question, but she wished ‘nothing but peace to all parties involved.’
Dr. Luke — born Lukasz Gottwald — is one of the most successful producers of recent decades, and songs he produced have been a regular staple on the pop charts, though he now often uses a pseudonym.
Kesha sued him in 2014, though Dr. Luke was never charged with any crime related to her claims.
