Kesha has spoken for the first time since it was announced that Dr Luke’s Kemosabe label would not grant her permission to perform live at an upcoming awards ceremony.
As reported, Kemosabe “rescinded their permission” for Kesha to appear at the Billboard Awards this weekend (May 22) in Las Vegas as they feared she would address their ongoing court battle as part of the performance. Kesha was booked to cover ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ as part of a Bob Dylan tribute.
Posting about the news on Instagram, Kesha clarified that she had no intention of tackling the legal case she and Kemsabe are currently involved in.
“I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of “It ain’t me, babe” at the Billboard awards this year,” she wrote. “I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support.”
Show producers Dick Clark Productions still retains hope that Kesha could be a part of their ceremony.
“Dick Clark Productions has a long standing relationship with Kesha,” the company said in a statement. “We hope that the parties can come to an arrangement such that we can continue that long standing relationship with a performance by Kesha on the Billboard Music Awards stage on May 22.”
In October 2014, the pop star filed a lawsuit against mentor and producer Dr Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald), citing “mental manipulation, emotional abuse and sexual assault”. Dr. Luke countersued for defamation. That case has been on hold since last June.
Yesterday, it was revealed that Kesha has taken up further legal action against Dr Luke after she recently failed in her bid to be released from her contract with the pop producer.