It has been so joyous to watch Kesha move from strength to strength this past year. Last May she released Gag Order, which turned out to be the final album she was contractually obliged to produce with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records. In June Kesha and Dr. Luke reached a settlement after nearly 10 years of lawsuits, and just before New Year’s Kesha officially ended her ties with Dr. Luke and his label, as well as with her longtime management team. The split with her management was amicable; she said in December that she was just ready for a fresh start. So what has Kesha been up to in her era of freedom and rebirth? New music, a new website, teaching, and activism, just to name a few things:
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.”
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.
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.
“And I feel like I have earned the right to be this happy for sure.” YASS! Oh man, has Kesha worked to get there. And even if she didn’t outright say this, we can see it written all over her. She’s just been radiating with good, loving energy. Yes I am on a contact high! One of the moments that really struck me in Barbie was towards the beginning when we’re being introduced to Barbieland. When Margot Robbie’s Barbie attends the award ceremonies for the successful, leader Barbies, and all the acceptance speeches are “Yes, I really do deserve this. Thank you!” That moment really shook me, because it’s so obvious that we never (or rarely) appreciate ourselves that way. But Kesha’s found her way there! She’s gone through hell to find that self-love, but if this is what the other side looks like, count me in. And yes, Feral Wild Woman has my vote for next album title.
photos credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images, Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon and via Instagram
Her album Rainbow came out during a really dark time for me and it offered so much solace. I’m so excited for this free Kesha and all the music that comes from it! Mazel, ma’am!!
Kesha!!!!🤟🎧🎙️🎙️🎶🎁💗🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖
Always much love for her. Cannot wait for her music Go on you amazing woman ❤