Kesha Launches Music Creator Platform Smash

Kesha, the 38-year-old chart-topping artist, has launched a new startup called Smash, a community-driven platform designed to connect and protect music creators, aligning with the mission of her recently announced record label, Kesha Records. After a difficult public legal battle over a predatory record contract, she now positions herself as a "free woman" focused on empowering artists to retain full creative rights while collaborating and hiring within the music community. She describes Smash as a hybrid of LinkedIn and Fiverr for music creators, with a unique emphasis on safeguarding artists' rights at every stage. Alan Cannistraro, a seasoned tech executive with experience at Apple and Facebook, serves as CTO of the project. Kesha's venture reflects her broader commitment to fostering a supportive, gatekeeper-free environment for musicians, inspired by her own struggles in the industry.