Kesha announced that she will embark on a new direction in her career on Monday.
The singer, who was previously signed to major label RCA and its Kemosabe Records imprint founded by Dr. Luke, is now going solo.
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 concluded her long-running legal saga with Dr. Luke after previously accusing him of sexual assault.
Kesha announced Monday that she is starting her own independent record label with distribution through ADA, handling independent distribution and label services for Warner Music Group; seen Sept. 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
Last year, she also attacked Sean “Diddy” Combs by changing lyrics referencing him in her hit song “TIk Tok” to lines attacking him after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
The rapper was later charged and arrested on charges of sexual assault, racketeering and prostitution.
In her statement, Kesha shared her principles and presented her new label as a way to expand her goals to help up-and-coming 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 disputes with Dr. Luke, adding, “I’m 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: “From 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 the 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 bold, unapologetic spirit.”
Crush Music, which will partner with ADA to market and promote 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 and ADA’s full-service team.”
Though she was only just now detailing the creation of her new label, Kesha actually 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 security, and I want to make sure these values are upheld for myself and any future artists who sign to my label,” Kesha said of her new label.
Though she was only just now detailing the creation of her new label, Kesha actually 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 finally breaking free from Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records by posting a jubilant nude photo on Instagram.
Her 2023 album hold order, which stalled at No. 168 on the Billboard 200 chart, was her final release for the controversial producer’s label.
At the time, it was also reported that Kesha had left her management company, Vector Management.
Kesha will cement her new independent deal with the release of an album scheduled for 2025.
The new album marks the first time the Right Round singer has had full creative control and ownership over her music.
Pop singer Katy Perry has recently landed herself in hot water following the release of her critically panned new album 143 after fans slammed her for working with Dr. Luke on the LP despite Kesha’s accusations against him.
Following Kesha’s lawsuit alleging that Dr. Luke had drugged and raped her, something he has strenuously denied, the producer filed a defamation suit against her in which he said she fabricated the allegations and had tarnished his character.
The lawsuits were eventually settled in June 2023. During the announcement, Kesha said that “God only knows what happened that night,” referencing the night she claimed to have been sexually assaulted.
Dr. Luke, who has strongly denied Kesha’s allegations, is responsible for producing some of the biggest hits of the past few decades and continues to have chart-topping hits, although he now uses a pseudonym to avoid controversy; seen with Miley Cyrus in 2014
However, Dr Luke said he was “absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged her or assaulted her.”
Kesha went on to say that she couldn’t “recount everything that happened” that night in question, but that she wished “nothing but peace to all parties involved.”
Dr. Luke, whose real name was Lukasz Gottwald, is one of the most successful producers of recent decades and the songs he produced have been a fixture on the pop charts, although he now tends to use a pseudonym.
Kesha sued him in 2014, although Dr. Luke was never charged with any crimes related to his claims.