Pop star Kesha and her music producer Dr. Luke, who allegedly raped her, have been filling up the tabloids these past couple of weeks, as a judge denied her an injunction that would have released her from her contract with Sony. Reportedly, Dr. Luke abused Kesha for years, beginning shortly after she signed a record deal with him in 2006, and then not only threatened to destroy her career, but also her and her family’s physical safety, if she spoke to anyone about it.
Fans and artists including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson have displayed their support for Kesha, claiming that no one deserves the abuse that she suffered. The case brings attention to rape culture and is stirring up mixed and emotional thoughts of people across the country. Many students at Northern Essex also show their undeniable support for Kesha, while others are skeptical of the singer’s intentions.
“Sony is not only being unjust with Kesha, but is teaching our men that it’s acceptable to rape,” says Zobia Tariq, who has been avidly keeping up with the legal battle. “We live in a world where women are taught to avoid getting raped, when, instead, men should be being taught to keep their hands to themselves.”
According to the Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an astounding one in six women have experienced some form of sexual assault, while only one in 33 men have experienced it. 35% of rapes are committed by a work partner.
“It’s completely unfair,” says Adore Calixto. “Dr. Luke has been called out by several artists about how difficult he is to work with. He is definitely guilty and Sony is disgusting for allowing this to continue.”
Other students believe that this is Kesha’s attempt to get herself back out there and gain attention, as the pop singer does have a questionable past.
“If you follow the case, you’ll know that early on in the investigation, she denied the rape claims,” says Jacob Diaz. “And now she’s saying that it really happened, several years later after she hasn’t been making any music. To me, it just sounds like an effort to make a name for herself again.”
In 2011, Kesha and Luke were both sued by a manager, and under oath at the deposition, Kesha denied the allegations that her mother made about Dr. Luke sexually harassing her, testifying that they never had any sexual relations.
“Maybe she wants to get out of her contract and is going to the extreme to get there, or maybe her and Dr. Luke had a disagreement so now she is blackmailing him. Kesha seems emotionally unstable, so neither would surprise me,” explains Kevin Made Brito.
“I don’t have doubts at all,” Tariq claims. “She would have produced her music if she wanted attention. Why would she want negative attention when she could have money and attention for producing her music?”
“All she wants is to create music without being under the hands of her abuser,” Calixto adds. “She’s clearly suffering.”
Now, Kesha has the option to continue recording with Sony and make a third album, without the interference of Dr. Luke, or she could choose not to record with the label but pay damages to them, estimating around $15 billion. Sony could also release Kesha after she makes her third album, as multi-album deals have a contractual option, which allows producers to decide if they want to pick up the next album after one is finished.
The next steps in the case include each side turning in their demands for discovery evidence in the suit by March 21. Any objections to those requests are due the following month. According to the court’s schedule, this is simply an initial step towards Kesha getting her day in court, as the judge is not set to pick her trial date until the beginning of 2017.