Kesha v Dr Luke
Feeling clueless about the legal battle that has everyone from Taylor Swift to Joe Biden weighing in? Here's a quick rundown
US pop star Kesha is probably best-known for her wacky style, thanks to her rainbow-coloured hair and dramatic glitter make-up, as well as her slew of infectious club bangers like Tik Tok, Your Love Is My Drug and Die Young.
But almost overnight, the world is looking at her with fresh eyes and taking her more seriously, in light of her legal wrangle with former collaborator Dr Luke (below).
The fallout between Kesha, 28, and Dr Luke, 42, began in 2014, when the singer accused the US music producer of sexual assault and harassment, and unfair business practices.
On Feb 19, a New York judge denied Kesha's attempt to obtain an injunction against Dr Luke and to record outside of Sony Music and its subsidiary label Kemosabe Records, which is owned by Dr Luke.
Apart from signing on Kesha when she was only 18, Dr Luke is also responsible for No. 1 hits like Katy Perry's Roar and I Kissed A Girl, Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball and Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You.
After the court decision, Kesha's fans staged a protest outside Sony Music's New York City offices last Friday,asking for the singer to be released from her contract. Fans in Nashville, Tennessee, also rallied at the label's local office, chanting: "Shame on Sony." Kesha's family moved to Nashville when she was five years old.
According to reports, the protesters included sexual assault survivors, music industry staff and Mr Brandon de la Cruz, who started a page on crowdfunding site GoFundMe to raise money to buy Kesha's contract from Sony. At press time, he had raised US$22,827 (S$32,000) out of the US$2 million target.
Other celebrities have spoken out in support of the #FreeKesha movement.
Here's what you need to know about this ongoing legal battle.
OCT 14, 2014
Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr Luke (real name: Lukasz Gottwald), claiming that he drugged and raped her on two occasions. She alleged that the abuse resulted in "severe depression, post-traumatic stress, social isolation, and panic attacks".
In response, Dr Luke filed a defamation suit against Kesha, her mother and her manager.
His lawyer claimed that Kesha and her mother "orchestrated a campaign of publishing false and shocking accusations against Gottwald" to get out of her record deal.
SEPT 21, 2015
Kesha filed an injunction, saying that she "cannot work with (the) monster".
She wrote to the court: "I beg of you to please consider letting me put out my music without me having to work with him, please."
Sony Music and Kemosabe Records, whom Kesha accused of supporting Dr Luke's acts, demanded that her claims be dismissed.
FEB 19, 2016
The court ruled that Sony Musicwould suffer "irreparable harm" if Kesha were freed from her six-album recording contract. The distraught singer broke down in court.
To date, Kesha has released two albums - Animal (2010) and Warrior (2012).
Sony Music made an offer to allow her to work with a different producer, but Kesha said she was afraid the company would not actively promote her music if she was not working with Dr Luke.
FEB 20, 2016
Kiwi singer Lorde tweeted: "Standing with @KeshaRose through this traumatic, deeply unfair time. Send good vibes her way everyone."
Russian-German music producer Zeddsaid he would produce a song for Kesha if she needed his help.
FEB 21, 2016
US pop star Taylor Swift donated US$250,000 to Kesha "to help with any of her financial needs during this trying time".
And in response to rumours that she criticised Swift's generosity, US singer Demi Lovato said in an Instagram post: "The message I want people to hear is it's okay to come forward with your abuse and if you do decide to take action, you are not alone."
FEB 23, 2016
In a series of tweets, Dr Luke said it was sad that Kesha would "turn a contract negotiation into something so horrendous and untrue".
He stressed that he never raped Kesha or had sex with her and that she was like his "little sister". He added that he was "confident (that) when this is over, the lies will be exposed and the truth will prevail".
The same day, US actress Lena Dunham published an essay in her newsletter Lenny Letter, saying she threw up into a rubbish bin when she found out about the outcome of the case.
In her essay, she questioned the US legal system which "continues to hurt women by failing to protect them from the men they identify as their abusers".
FEB 24, 2016
A lawyer for Sony Music clarified to The New York Times: "Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever, but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha".
On the same day at the Brit Awards, British singer Adele publicly declared her support for Kesha.
FEB 25, 2016
In an emotional Facebook post, Kesha said: "This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract - it was never about getting a bigger or a better deal.
"This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.
"I think about young girls today. I don't want my future daughter, or your daughter, or any person, to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power."
FEB 29, 2016
At the Academy Awards, US Vice-President Joe Biden spoke about the White House's It's On Us campaign that addresses sexual assault.
He then introduced Lady Gaga's performance of Til It Happens To You. The Oscar-nominated song is from documentary The Hunting Ground, which explores rape in US college campuses. During her set, Lady Gaga shared the stage with sexual assault survivors.
Kesha thanked Lady Gaga and Mr Biden "for bringing attention to sexual assault at the Oscars... it hit very close to my heart for obvious reasons".
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