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Support for Kesha Grows as Adele uses Brits Win to Show Solidarity
Other | Thursday 25th February 2016 | Ashleigh-Rose
Adele became another name on a growing list of high profile women to publically support Kesha, at last nights Brit awards. She joins Demi Levato, Taylor Swift, Lorde and Lady Gaga in a public show of solidarity.
Last week a New York Supreme Court ruled that Kesha cannot break her contract with producer Dr Luke, a man she claims has subjected her to sexual and emotional abuse for the last ten years.
This means she is contractually obliged to record four more albums with Sony under Dr Luke's label Kemosabe Records, despite stating "I know I cannot work with Dr. Luke. I physically cannot. I don't feel safe in any way."
There are people all over the world who love you @KeshaRose. And I can say truly I am in awe of your bravery.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) 19 February 2016
The case has been a standout example of the power that record labels hold over an artist’s creativity and ability to be successful. Contracts are often complicated and served to young artists who are at the beginning of their career, desperate to make it in an incredibly competitive industry. As such these artists are treated as music making machines with no regards for their health or safety whilst under the wing of the corporation.
If two people dont want to be in business with one another it seems very cruel for one to hold the other in a contract.
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) 19 February 2016
The real question that needs to be considered is, what kind of music do Dr Luke and Kesha stand to make if neither is willing to work together? Sony needs to contemplate whether those four albums will be worth the cost of the contract, because you can force someone’s hand, but you cannot force creativity.
