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Kesha Vs Sony Music: Label Says They’re ‘Not In The Position’ To #FreeKesha From Her Contract

By Niki Cruz
Published on: 09:31 PST, Feb 25, 2016

The powers that be at Sony Music have opened up in a statement to the New York Times, following the controversy around the current legal battle going on with music artist Kesha and their contracted producer Dr. Luke.

Scott Edelman has issued a statement on behalf of Sony Music:

“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.”

If you need a refresher course, a court judge ruled in Sony’s favor and will not let Kesha leave her contract, after she expressed that she was in fear. In the suit she accuses Dr. Luke, who’s producing company is owned by Sony, of sexual and emotional abuse that lasted for years. Kesha now has to put out additional albums under Sony, which means that Dr. Luke still has a huge financial stake in her future.

Immediately after the ruling, music stars, celebrities, and fans used Twitter to support Kesha as photos of her breaking down in tears were released. The hashtag #FreeKesha trended for days, and think pieces were written about what this says about how victims of sexual abuse are silenced, even when most never come forward. It also opened the music industry up for questioning on how often this sort of thing happens with music producers and their proteges.

Many have pointed out that the issue has nothing to do with Sony Music allowing Kesha to never have creative contact with Dr. Luke, but that it has more to do with Sony Music being associated with Dr. Luke, and in turn might have turned a blind eye to the abuse that was going on. Many argued that Kesha will not be free of her alleged abuser or the trauma until she can break free entirely.

As the Inquisitr reported, actress and Girls star Lena Dunham, who came forward about her own rape last year, wrote on her newsletter Lenny about the situation.

“What’s happening to Kesha highlights the way that the American legal system continues to hurt women by failing to protect them from the men they identify as their abusers.”

Those who are standing with Kesha aren’t stopping with the Twitter hashtag. Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to Kesha’s legal fees, Adele supported Kesha and mentioned her in a recent Brit Awards speech, Lady Gaga has met with Kesha for support, and now a rally in New York will be taking place on Friday.

Fans will gather in front of Sony Records on Friday to rally for Kesha to be released from her contact. Unbendable Media released details about the upcoming #FreeKesha rally in New York:

“The #FreeKesha movement has shaken the pop culture community,. Whether or not Kesha’s music affected someone personally, this case represents the unfair treatment of sexual assault survivors around the globe. It is important for Sony to see the uproar they have caused, so protesters are bringing it right to their front door.”

Kesha has responded to the overwhelming support in a Facebook post, but promised to write a lengthier post at a later date. One excerpt reads,

“All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused. 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.”

Interestingly enough, Sony Music had no problem releasing former One Direction member Zayn Malik from his contract. The solo artist was released last year when he decided to depart the British boyband in favor of RCA records.

[Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images]

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