Summary: Kesha worries her career will be over without an injunction against music producer Dr. Luke.
There’s new developments in the legal battle between pop star Kesha Rose Sebert and her former mentor, producer Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald). Under Dr. Luke’s label, Kesha had major hits like “Tik Tok” and “Your Love Is My Drug.”
Back in October, we reported on the lawsuits both parties filed against each other. Kesha claimed Dr. Luke sexually, verbally, and physically abused her for about a decade. Dr. Luke accused her of trying to extort him into releasing her from the contract she had with his label, Kemosabe Records, which is under Sony.
Earlier this summer, Kesha expanded her lawsuit to include Sony. She stated that they ignored her allegations that Dr. Luke had drugged and raped her and thus put her and other female artists in danger.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kesha’s attorney Mark Geragos filed a memorandum on Friday supporting a preliminary injunction to stop Dr. Luke from barring Kesha from working with another label.
“[Kesha] cannot work with music producers, publishers, or record labels to release new music,” the memo states. “With no new music to perform, Kesha cannot tour. Off the radio and stage and out of the spotlight, Kesha cannot sell merchandise, receive sponsorships, or get media attention. Her brand value has fallen, and unless the Court issues this injunction, Kesha will suffer irreparable harm, plummeting her career past the point of no return.”
Kesha also submitted an affidavit from Jim Urie, the former president and CEO of Universal Music Group, that backed up her claim.
“If Kesha cannot immediately resume recording and having her music promoted, marketed, and distributed by a major label, her career is effectively over,” he states.
Dr. Luke has issued a statement reaffirming his stance that Kesha’s lawsuit is a strategy to change her contract.
“If Kesha now regrets her career being mired in legal proceedings, it’s entirely her making,” Dr. Luke’s spokesperson said. “It was Kesha who chose to file a lawsuit falsely alleging abuse to gain advantage in contract negotiations, and now she must accept the consequences of her improper actions.”
Meanwhile, Sony is finally weighing in. They are demanding the dismissal of Kesha’s claim that Sony endangered her and other artists.
Denying any corporate liability, Sony writes in its filings, “[Kesha] Sebert cannot have it both ways: She cannot claim that Gottwald intimidated her into silence, then — as an apparent afterthought — seek to hold Sony and Kemosabe Records liable for failing to act on conduct that she did not report.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter