Kesha recently released her her new single “Joyride,” her first track since being being released from her contract with Kemosabe Records back in December. 2017’s Rainbow was Kesha’s first full-length project without a Dr. Luke production credit, while each of her five previous albums have been released under a Dr. Luke-associated label. Dr. Luke originally signed Kesha in 2005, when she was just 18, and subsequently helped produce and release her first two records, 2010’s Animal and 2012’s Warrior, which boasted her hit songs “TiK ToK,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” “We R Who We R,” and “Die Young.”
The 37-year-old singer-songwriter hasn’t dropped music since 2023’s Gag Order, which was her last contractual release with Kemosabe. It’s also her first project since settling her nearly decade-long defamation lawsuit with the label’s founder, Dr. Luke whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in 2014.
Shortly after Kesha’s lawsuit was filed, Dr. Luke quickly filed a countersuit, claiming defamation. Both Kesha’s request for a temporary injunction to release her from her recording contract with Dr. Luke and her sexual assault suit were dismissed by a New York judge in 2016. The defamation suit, however, continued on, only getting resolved in June of 2023, when Kesha and Dr. Luke settled out of court.
Kesha wrote in a December TikTok post shortly after it was first reported that her contract had been fulfilled: I haven’t felt this free since I was 18 .. First day I’ve owned my voice in 19 years.” Also in a newsletter sent out to fans, the popstar shared: “I’ve waited for this day for more than half of my life. All of my adult life. There is so much more that I have to say, and experiences we have to share. This is the time for our joy ride. We made it… and I wasn’t alone thanks to each of you. Thank you. So much is on the horizon… But for now… Freedom. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Listen to ‘Joyride’ – here.
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