Kesha Reflects on Lost Voice During Prolonged Dr Luke Legal Battle

Kesha has opened up about the profound emotional and mental toll her prolonged legal battle with producer Dr. Luke has taken on her, revealing in Monica Lewinsky's Reclaiming podcast that she was contractually bound to continue delivering music and performing under his label despite accusing him of sexual and emotional abuse. She described the experience as a 'head fuck' and 'inhumane,' noting the surreal contradiction of creating and promoting music she had no legal rights to while simultaneously fighting a defamation countersuit from Dr. Luke. Despite the trauma and legal struggles, Kesha continued to perform hits like 'TikTok,' aiming to give her fans a positive space even as she felt she was 'dying inside.' The legal system's acceptance of this arrangement perplexed her, as she found it difficult to comprehend how such injustice could persist. Her catalog under Kemosabe Records, including albums from 2010's Animal to 2023's Gag Order, was controlled by Dr. Luke’s label throughout the dispute, which was only resolved with a settlement in June 2023. Kesha's reflections highlight the complexity of her fight for autonomy over her voice and career amid ongoing personal and legal battles.