Kesha is making waves once again, but this time, it’s not just with her music—she’s here to shake up the entire industry. Following a grueling legal battle with producer Dr. Luke that ended in a 2023 settlement, Kesha has now claimed full control of her career by launching her own label, Kesha Records. As she takes the reins, she’s determined to rewrite the rules of the music world and foster an environment where artists feel safe and empowered.
“You can’t create if you don’t feel safe,” Kesha told Billboard in an interview. As part of her efforts to improve the industry, she’s working on a new digital platform in collaboration with tech professionals that will prioritize artist safety. “The old guard is crumbling. The days of doing things in secrecy are over. If you’ve got dark secrets, you better f–king run.”
Her words aren’t just a threat—they’re a promise. Kesha’s mission is to dismantle the toxic structures that have long plagued the music business. “The industry should be f–king terrified of me,” she said, “because I’m about to make huge changes. I want to break this system down piece by piece and expose everything.”
Her newfound freedom came after the legal settlement that finally allowed her to break free from her contract with Dr. Luke, whom she had accused of emotional and sexual abuse. The case was settled out of court, with both parties denying any misconduct. Now, Kesha is fully in charge of her future, able to work with any producers she chooses—resulting in her latest single, “Joyride,” produced by A.G. Cook and Zhone.
“Joyride” also marks a personal turning point for Kesha, who ended a relationship she described as with someone who wasn’t genuine. “I took one of my friends to Taylor Swift’s party instead of him, and the next day, he dumped me,” she revealed.
Now focused on her career and her mission to reshape the music industry, Kesha has big plans for her label. She’s partnered with Warner Music’s ADA for distribution, and she intends to use Kesha Records to support emerging artists, offering them the transparency and safety she believes is crucial.
“My goal is for my name to stand for transparency, integrity, and safety,” Kesha said when announcing the label. “I want to use my music to spread light and positivity, and I’m excited to reclaim my story and shape my own path in this industry.”
