The other day, I came across an incredible but upsetting article in the NY Times about one of my favorite artists. In it, Taffy Brodesser-Akner does a fantastic job of pointing out what I saw on Kesha's documentary television series, My Crazy Beautiful Life. Brodesser shows that Kesha is human. More specifically, that she is an actual woman with creativity and deep emotions who is being forced into a corner and told to be quiet. (Here is the article: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/30/maga...)
Many of you have heard about Kesha's case against her rapist and producer, Dr. Luke. However, I've noticed that few people actually know the story, or they think that the issue is already resolved.
First off, let me state: Kesha Sebert is not free. Do not mistake her performing to make a living with being released from her suffocating contract.
If you haven't heard this story, I'll summarize it for you. In 2005, Kesha Sebert was at a party when her now producer drugged and raped her ("allegedly"). That same year was when she signed her contract with Kemosabe Entertainment, which is owned by Sony Music. Throughout her time in her music contract, her producers have been emotionally abusive and controlling over her work. So much so that she checked herself into a rehabilitation center in January 2014 for an eating disorder. Two months later she left treatment and filed the lawsuit against Dr. Luke.
It may be necessary to point out that I understand why the court cannot charge Luke with rape. I'm a fairly intelligent person. I can realize that without evidence you cannot charge someone. However, why is it not possible for the court to void her disturbing contract? What good will come out of forcing a woman to work with her assaulter, or tying her to a specific group that continues to destroy her emotional health and infuriate her fan base?
When you think of Kesha as an artist, the first thing the average person thinks about is her party girl image. That being said, it makes sense as to why many people turned a blind eye to her court case. Those same people failed to realize, however, that this is an image which her producers and writers designated for her. It is literally a requirement of her awful contract. The image that she is now stuck with reflects only the most shallow level of her personality. Yes, she is fun and wild, but that is no where close to her full identity.
Kesha has an immense amount of love in her heart for general humanity, let alone her fans. She is affected deeply by the words others say. It's not hard to see. If you take the time to listen to the songs she has written herself, rather than those written for her, you can see it shockingly clear (i.e. Love Into The Light, The Harold Song). I cannot understand why people simply don't believe her.
The only argument I've heard anyone use to defend themselves in support of Dr. Luke is Kesha's brand; her "party-girl" lifestyle and her risque sense of humor. It's as though no one has ever heard of the age old concept of a celebrity image. When other artists stand up for you publicly, stating that they have felt the same pressures and struggles, to the point of donating $250k like Taylor Swift did, you would think people could realize that it's the truth. Names like Kelly Clarkson, Adele, and Lady Gaga have repeated to point this issue out publicly--- yet people continue to ignore it.
I'm sick and tired of seeing this go on. The court needs to stop ignoring women's emotional health for the sake of a male rapist's reputation. They need to stop pretending that celebrities are companies rather than actual people with feelings. They need to stop worrying about big-money record companies before individual humans.
They need to #FreeKesha.
