Kesha is finally free as she teases new music after leaving Dr. Luke's label. Why it's the 1st time she's 'owned' her voice in nearly 2 decades.
The song marks a new era for Kesha after she and Dr. Luke settled their dueling defamation claims in June 2023.
Kesha's comeback is upon us. The singer teased new music on Wednesday, her first since ending her legal battle with Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald in June 2023. In social media posts, Kesha told fans it is the "first day I've owned my voice in 19 years."
What can fans expect — and what's next?
On social media, Kesha pushed followers to a new website — keshaiswaitingforyou.com — in which she bares her backside. In a clip from a new song she sings, "I've been waiting for you/ Everything's changed now/ We haven't talked for a while." Kesha posted a few ethereal images to mark the new chapter.
Kesha told V Magazine in February she had written "somewhere between seven and 10 songs" while teaching a songwriting course at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, Calif.
"I'll say this: I've never felt happier, more excited, more at peace and had such a purpose in my entire life," she added. "And I feel like I have earned the right to be this happy for sure. So letting that be … I am loving every minute of what feels like a brand-new and very exciting chapter."
Kesha will take part in A Day of Unreasonable Conversation, an event in Los Angeles on March 25 that connects "pop culture creators with social change disruptors" designed to bring about change in the entertainment industry.
Kesha had March 6 circled on her calendar for a reason.
In December 2023, Variety reported Kesha's contract officially ended with Dr. Luke's label, Kemosabe, which is distributed by RCA Records. She also parted ways with her longtime manager.
"I won't say the day — but there is a day marked on my calendar when I am free to release music," the "Praying" singer teased to V Magazine. "So just know that she is out here in the woods writing and singing till four in the morning, ferociously. I am being a feral wild woman out here. So just know that.”
"Feral wild woman" is a good way to describe the tone she's setting for her (hopefully) forthcoming album.
But didn't Kesha recently put out an album?
Yes. She was contractually obligated to release one through Kemosabe. Kesha's last album on the label, Gag Order, came out in May.
Dr. Luke and Kesha settled long legal dispute last year
In 2014, Kesha sued the Grammy-winning hitmaker and accused him of sexual, physical, verbal and emotional abuse. One incident stemmed around her allegation he drugged and raped her at a party in 2005. Dr. Luke vehemently denied all allegations and countersued her for defamation. They settled out of court.
"Only God knows what happened that night," Kesha said in a joint statement with Dr. Luke. "As I have 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 said. “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."
