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Kesha
Sony recording artist Kesha, who recently attempted to sue her record label over allegations of rape and abuse by producer Dr. Luke, filed an appeal on Friday seeking the termination of her contract and further work with Dr. Luke or Sony.
Kesha's attorney, Mark Geragos, presented the Manhattan Supreme Court with an appeal and numerous testimonies from music industry insiders with over a century of collective history stating that a pop singer's career, if left to flounder – as Kesha has since refused to work with Dr. Luke any further – will most likely dissipate.
The singer of hits "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R" had her request for an injunction denied by Judge Shirley Kornreich in February. Geragos argued on Friday that keeping the singer on the label, although Sony has stated that they would not make her work directly with Dr. Luke, is equivalent to slavery.
Kornreich ruled that if Sony were to release the artist from her six-record contract it would cause irreparable harm to the label. However, as Kesha refuses to work for the label – "purportedly without [Dr. Luke's] involvement" – her career is at a standstill.
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A Facebook post from Kesha showing support for victims of rape and sexual assault.
A spokesperson for Lukasz Gottwald, the real name of Dr. Luke, released this statement:
The Court repeatedly stated Kesha was already free to record without Dr. Luke, and that she had not presented any facts supporting her claims. That’s because all the evidence — including Kesha’s own sworn testimony – show her allegations are false. Her attorneys can continue manufacturing even more false and outrageous claims, but the fact remains that her time would be better spent in a studio than wasting time having her lawyer and mother spin lies in the media.
Sony Records has declined to comment following the news of the appeal, of which no date has yet been set.
You can read the singer's full appeal below.
