Jake’s Take: I Stand with Kesha

Singer-songwriter Kesha Sebert lost her lawsuit to be released from Dr. Luke and Sony Music Entertainment. (Photo property of “New York Daily News”‘ Jefferson Siegel.)

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Multiple news outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, Kansas City Star and USA Today have reported that a New York Supreme Court judge has refused to let pop singer Kesha Sebert be freed from her contract with Sony Music.

Kesha initially wanted out of her contract when she claimed longtime producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald drugged, sexually abused and psychologically tortured his longtime protégé.  Dr. Luke (the man responsible for producing hits for Kesha, Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Kelly Clarkson, Jessie J and Katy Perry) countersued and claimed that the “Tik Tok” singer-songwriter wanted to “weasel her way out of her contract” by ruining his reputation.

I have a few things to say about this situation:

• I stand with Kesha! If a high caliber singer-songwriter claims that she was raped and psychologically tortured by a music producer, this should be an automatic red flag for upper management to fire the mastermind that did the damage. While I am very surprised that L.A. Reid or Sony has not removed or fired Dr. Luke from the company, I stand behind Kesha.  To be forced not to express yourself doing something that you love is a crime. Not allowing someone to release music is a shame.

•  Screw You, Dr. Luke:  By robbing, artists of making a living and potentially losing their fan base, Sony and Dr. Luke will start having a horrible reputation that not only cause artists to leave the entertainment conglomerate in droves, but also tarnish their legacy. Also, if you are reading this, Dr. Luke…if I ever have an opportunity to interview you, prepare for the hardest grilling that you will receive from a reporter.

•  The future of the music industry: #FreeKesha will dramatically change the landscape of the music industry. Many rising artists might be afraid to sign a record contract with either Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group or Warner Bros. Records. Hopefully, the new artists will sign to more respective smaller labels.

My thoughts, prayers and condolences go to Kesha, her family and fans at this time! I hope that we can hear more music from you in the future.