Kesha Breaks Free From Dr. Luke: “I’m Free, I can Do What I Want”
Last week, a source reveals, the singer's contract with Kemosabe, Luke's label that RCA Records distributes, finally expired, seven months after she released her last album under the label, "Gag Order," in May. A rep for the singer's longtime manager told Variety in a statement on Tuesday that she and the company have also split: “Jack Rovner confirms, after 16 years, Kesha and Vector Management have agreed amicably to part ways, with much love and respect.” Shortly after, Kesha issued her own statement: “My manager has been an unwavering supporter of helping me get through the lengthy legal battle I have been embroiled in for almost a decade. We have achieved many great successes and have shared a magnificent part of my life with me. I am so grateful to them and always will be. In need of a fresh start in my life, we have parted ways but I will remain forever grateful for the run we had.” The singer is reportedly talking to potential new managers; Variety's requests for comment were either declined or not answered right away by reps for Kemosabe and RCA.
Kesha posted a nude photo of herself on Instagram, with the caption “Coming back home to me,” shortly after this article first came out on Monday, possibly in celebration. She released five full-length albums — including her 2010 hit debut, “Animal,” which featured the smash single “Tik Tok” — and three EPs through the company, but she tried to get out of her contract after alleging that Luke sexually assaulted her; he firmly rejected that claim and she eventually admitted that she did not fully remember the events of the night. The legal fight between the singer and her former producer and mentor dates back to 2014, when Kesha accused Dr. Luke (legal name: Lukasz Gottwald) of drugging and raping her in 2005. He consistently denied the accusations over the years and sued her for defamation over her own allegations against him and also her claim that he assaulted another singer. He said that Kesha made the allegations because she wanted to leave his record label, something she strongly denied. She remained under his Kemosabe imprint even after their personal working relationship ended.
Kesha and producer Dr. Luke settled a defamation dispute out of court, both parties announced lastJune, with each releasing a quote related to the settlement that indicated they mutually see this as the end of the road for their lengthy legal disputes.
Dr. Luke said in his statement that he “wish(es) Kesha well,” while the singer said that she wishes “nothing but peace to all parties involved” as the court dramas apparently draw to a close.
“Only God knows what happened that night,” wrote Kesha. “As I 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.” “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened,” Dr. Luke wrote. “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.” The settlement followed a New York appeals court decision 10 days earlier that ruled that Dr. Luke would be considered a public figure for the purposes of his lawsuit, making it harder for the producer to prove he was defamed by Kesha. The court also ruled that Kesha could get some of her legal fees from Dr. Luke if she won as a defendant.