Kesha Reflects on Her Early Career and New Musical Directions

Kesha, the pop artist known for her vibrant and playful music, has recently opened up about her early career and the challenges she faced during her rise to fame. In a recent interview with *Rolling Stone*, she discussed her feelings of being torn about her first albums, *Animal* and *Cannibal*, as she navigated a lengthy legal battle with ex-producer Dr. Luke. Following a settlement, Kesha launched her own label, Kesha Records, allowing her to reclaim her narrative and reflect positively on her past work.

Rolling Stone

Kesha expressed gratitude for her breakout hit "Tik Tok," acknowledging its impact despite her initial reservations about its lyrical content. She stated, “I’m so grateful for that silly fucking little song, ’cause I’m like the dopamine doula to the drunk people on the dance floor.” This sentiment marks a significant shift in her perspective, as she now embraces the playful nature of her early music.

Rolling Stone

Throughout her career, Kesha faced significant limitations regarding her artistic control. She revealed that due to contractual obligations, she had no rights to her recorded voice, which made her feel powerless despite her efforts to create quality music. “I would go to the studio every Goddamn day... and beyond that, because of something I signed, I had no rights to my recorded voice in the universe,” Kesha explained. This lack of control contributed to her feelings of frustration and the perception that she was not taken seriously as an artist.

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Kesha aimed to be a voice for those who felt like outsiders in pop music, drawing inspiration from artists like Iggy Pop. She wanted to represent those who did not fit the conventional mold, stating, “I wanted the girls that like didn’t feel like the picture-perfect girlies to have a girl that they could be like, that’s my bitch.”

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As Kesha celebrates the 15th anniversary of her debut albums, she is excited about the future of her music. She expressed a desire to explore new sonic possibilities and to feel “so fucking free” in her creative endeavors. Kesha indicated that while she may continue to produce pop songs, she is eager to push the boundaries of her artistry.

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Despite her success, Kesha has faced criticism regarding her early music style, particularly the use of AutoTune and "silly" lyrics. She acknowledged the difficulty of being perceived as lacking musical talent, stating, “I kind of pride myself in being smart and being able to sing... And for the whole world to think I couldn’t sing and I was stupid. Like that was hard for me.” Over time, she has come to accept her past and is now focused on her growth as an artist.

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• “I went back and realized that was just me,” — Kesha, Music Artist

Rolling Stone

• “But at my shows, just so everybody knows, the lyrics have officially changed to ‘wake up in the morning like, fuck P Diddy.’ And that stands for all that I can’t say.” — Kesha, Music Artist

Rolling Stone

• “I just wanna see what is possible.” — Kesha, Music Artist

Rolling Stone

Kesha's reflections on her past and her aspirations for the future highlight her resilience and commitment to artistic freedom, marking an important chapter in her ongoing career.

Rolling Stone