Artists
and producers often have challenging relationships in and outside the recording
studio. A good producer can make or break a song. A mega producer can make or
break an artist. And sometimes, a mega producer and mega artist can try to make
or break each other. Such are the fates of super producer, and former Saturday
night live guitarist, Dr. Luke and his artist Kesha Rose Sebert. Earlier this
week Kesha filed a staggering lawsuit against her producer and vise
versa.
According
to CNN Kesha claims Dr. Luke has abused her for years. The website states, “Kesha's civil complaint filed in Los Angeles
claims that Dr. Luke sexually, physically and verbally abused her over the 10
years since he signed her as an 18-year-old artist.” (CNN.com). Hours later, Dr.
Luke and his attorneys filed a suit in New York on claims of defamation and
extortion. CNN writes, “[These] ‘outrageous and untrue statements’ to extort
him into releasing her from her recording contract with his label.” (CNN.com)
Some
eyebrows have been raised over the fact that Kesha for sometime has been battling
to get out of a none to favorable record deal that she signed as an eighteen
year old. However on the other side of the argument lies Dr. Luke who by other
artists, on many occasions, has been accused of being incredibly controlling. This
situation isn’t untypical. Kesha has asked in the suit that she be let go of
her contract, as well as be paid for “damages.” According to details within the
lawsuit Kesha claims that she, “ lived in a prison of his abuse,” as well as
accusations that Dr. Luke gave her a "date rape drug" to allow him to
sexually assault her while she was unconscious. He also allegedly used constant
verbal insults -- such as calling her "a fat f--king refrigerator" --
"to make her feel completely worthless and maintain complete control over
her life." Like most pop stars Kesha’s debut album sold a million plus
copies. But she claims that did not stop the abuse. As much of the public knows
Kesha developed an easting disorder, bulimia nervosa, which almost killed her. She
sought serious therapeutic and medical help. She claims that this was due in
large part to Dr. Luke’s verbal abuse about her weight. Mark Geragos, Kesha's
lawyer said the lawsuit is a chance for Kesha to take back control of her life.
He says," [It] ‘is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her
music career and her personal freedom after suffering for 10 years as a victim
of mental manipulation, emotional abuse, and sexual assault at the hands of Dr.
Luke.’ "
For
me as a young entrepreneur within the music industry I feel torn about the
subject. By no means is abuse, sexual or otherwise, condonable in a business
environment or in society. Especially when a young female artist entrusts an
older man with much of her life. Yet, these suits have som much to do with
money and creative control it is hard not to be skeptical. These accusations
could shatter the image of one of my favorite producers. Kesha would exist
without Dr. Luke. Dr. Luke has had an insanely impressive, twenty-seven
Number One Billboard hits. Some of his big songs include: “Katy Perry's "I
Kissed a Girl," "Teenage Dream," "California Gurls,"
"E.T", "Last Friday Night," "Part of Me,"
"Wide Awake", and "The One That Got Away," Rihanna's
"Where Have You Been?," Britney's "Hold it Against Me" and
"Circus," Ke$ha's "Tik Tok," "Die Young",
"We R Who We R," and "Blow," Flo Rida's "Good
Feeling" "Right Round," Miley Cyrus' "Party in the
U.S.A.," Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" and so many more” (AAMinc). A
man of his creative stature may very well be a control freak. He may as well be
a criminal if what Kesha claims is true. Other Dr. Luke artists have come to
the defense of his character. Hopefully Kesha gets out of her deal and Dr. Luke
can find it within himself to apologize to her. Or else this could put a terrible
scar on the face of popular music.
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