Having burst onto the music scene 15 years ago with the release of her first hit “TiK ToK,” pop superstar Kesha has experienced the ups and downs and everything in between in her career so far, all while fighting and rising. the obstacles he has faced.
From his decade-long legal war with his former music producer, Dr. Luke, to the recent creation of his own label, Kesha Records, the 37-year-old music artist and entrepreneur now speaks out about his truths, his new music. , in addition to reaching the medium level at the largest levels in the world.
Jeff Conway: Kesha, you’ve done a great job with your TED talk.
Kesha: Thank you. I’m so proud of it! I’ve done so many things that I’m very proud of lately and for example, the TED talk is a dream I never imagined I could just dream of achieving, so it goes beyond a dream come true. It’s crazy that a woman who, you know, I went to Columbia University but then because of the demands of the record companies, I dropped out of school and got my GED. So, it’s crazy that a woman with her GED, who hasn’t even technically graduated, is in the International Baccalaureate program. I tried to go to Colombia to study psychology and comparative religion, but, upon request, I dropped out, got my GED, and moved to Los Angeles.
Looking back at the music I started with, which was full of irony and went over people’s heads, I feel like I was classified as a party girl and very unintelligent, and that’s a stigma I’ve tried to combat throughout my life. my entire career. . So the fact that the TED show drops the same week as my first single [“Joyride”] feels like the world is finally getting a genuine glimpse of the multi-faceted user that I am.
Conway: What did you think of the TED Talk in the first place?
Kesha: Well, I love TED. I watched the TED communicates and I contacted them and they said they would love to have me for a communicate, which of course caused panic because it is like the maximum prestigious communicate that we can give. I worked on it for six months. I was walking around, just communicateing to any one who would listen. I have to say I’m actually proud of how this turned out. It actually feels like acting at the Grammys and doing a TED communicate were the two highlights of my life, of my career.
Conway: You also talked about that in your TED talk, Kesha, you said that what motivates you the most is writing pop songs. So, how would you say that choosing your career and being the singer-songwriter that you are has brought you maximum and satisfaction in your life?
Kesha: Oh come on, I love this question! Well, let me start at the beginning. I started writing songs to deal with my feelings. I’m a very touchy user – I’m a triple Pisces, so those feelings come up very intensely and other people can do a lot of things with them. If you feel anger, people can pass by and ruin a car window, but if I feel anger, I take it to the studio and currently I surround myself with many people who help me take my emotions and alchemize them. song.
So it’s become my way of living life and the wonderful thing about writing music or creating any art of any kind is that you can live anything, I hope, safely. Once you leave your frame and enter the page or microphone, if you decide to share it, this remedy you enjoy can probably help heal other people. The explanation for why music is on a global scale is because we simply communicate our feelings and humanize us all. You see yourself in a song. You see an emotion that you feel in a song – it’s relational, it’s connective – and for me it’s very spiritual because we’re all one and music is one of the most beautiful ways to feel this. We are all connected to the same human emotion because, in fact, we are all connected.
Conway: So what does it mean to you now to be an independent artist and get the rights to your voice back? Has it replaced the way you browse your paintings and music in the future?
Kesha: It’s crazy that a human being can lose the rights to their recorded voice in the universe in perpetuity. First of all, turning disputes over this is anything that’s on my radar, so if it’s in the interview, if someone reads this, I’d love to sing along because it’s unbearable, it’s part of the business of making art. That’s my first idea, and secondly, I have to say that right now I’m excited about building an artist-safe area, because creation and concern can’t coexist. When you’re in a state of worry, you can’t create, and I know this from personal experience.
I’m excited that Kesha Records is emerging and emerging in all the tactics that other people could think of, but also in unforeseen tactics, as lately I’m interested in the tech sector and I’m looking for partners who share the percentage. values that I defend. align myself with. So, in addition to the classic record label model, I’m also looking for long-term and looking for truly creative, innovative, cutting-edge generation creators who need to replace the way music is played. The industry works and brings a new level of transparency for the entire company. So, I’m in an interesting area right now.
Kesha her TED talk.
Conway: Also, at the end of your TED talk, Kesha, you sang “Cathedral,” which is such a lovely ballad. I’m curious what is the main message you hope listeners will take away from your new song.
Kesha: I love this song! I wrote this song the same week I wrote my TED talk and imagined the TED talk, so it’s a special week. I think what I want people to learn from the song “Cathedral” is that you can overcome a lot of things, but it will never leave you. It stops you, and again, I’m very spiritual, so everything in me needs to inspire other people to tap into its strength because you’re your own savior.
What makes you you provides the drive to be who you are. It’s still inside you, even if it seems like it’s masked by trauma. It’s still there, and that’s why I just need to inspire other people to think of themselves as a cathedral and to treat others with all that love, wonder, respect and righteous appreciation.
Conway: You also have a big bachelor right now. “Joyride” is a very fun song. I’m sure you know it works well – there are a lot of streams on Spotify. So what are your emotions and mind regarding the massive reaction to “Joyride”?
Kesha for her new single “Joyride”
Kesha: I love the ultimate gratitude and happiness. I’m feeling relaxed for the first time since I’m 18 years old and I really appreciate each and every single user who streamed it, and I love the videos that are made. I have spent nearly 10 years in litigation and millions of dollars in legal fees. I have earned this joy with effort, so I like that other people are willing to “travel” with me.
Conway: What does it mean to you to perform live in particular in front of the LGBTQ community, who continue to appreciate and value your art and your presence on an inclusive level today?
Kesha performs at the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride 2024 on May 31, 2024 in West Hollywood, Array. . [ ] California.
Kesha: Oh my God. Doing presentations is a lot of fun because I get to go there and play with other people who just need to come to play and with the LGBTQ audience. Are you kidding? There would be no pop stars without the Queer network. Period. A big thing that motivates me in this life is justice and what makes me angry the most are bullies. I need to protect everyone and always fight for the same rights until the day I die. The LGBTQ network just offered me my home, my safe space, so I’ll do everything in my power to fight for the LGBTQ network, but when we’re not fighting, I also need to offer a position that’s actually a laugh to celebrate us.
Conway: How would you say your general mindset about all of this has evolved or developed since you debuted with songs like “TiK ToK” and “Your Love Is My Drug”?
Kesha: Well, I’ve noticed the disorders. I have noticed many disorders and many other people have approached me privately, great artists, and told me about the disorders in this business. I think it’s obvious. that there is a problem. Lately I’m working, as we speak, to find the other right people on the technical staff because I have a plan and I’m going to solve this problem.
Conway: So what’s next, Kesha? I love the song “Libertad”. What can you share with me and your unwavering enthusiasts right now?What can we expect?
Photo of Kesha on her Instagram.
Kesha: Well, thank you and I love “Freedom. ” Hopefully it will come soon. “Cathedral” is in the TED talk, as we talked, and I love that song. I can’t wait for other people to listen to the studio edition because it’s crazy!I’d say it rivals “Praying” as my favorite slower song, but this time it’s about me and it feels good.
Conway: Kesha, what would you say to other people in our world today, who have lost or had their own voice taken away in some way, and who are going to regain the same freedom that you have discovered for yourself? What recommendation or words of encouragement would you share with them after your hard trip?
Kesha: I would say, first of all, find a smart lawyer; that is the first step. And second step, I just need to tell you that I think this deserves to be illegal and I will do everything in my power to try to replace the litigation around this. I also paint, you know, like I said, in technology. I started my own record label and I’m here to replace the world, baby, so hold on, keep writing songs. It’s fucked up that in this country you can lose the right to your voice but you will never lose the right to your fact and the fact will set you free. I am working very hard to replace everything I can in this world, so this never happens to anyone again.
Conway: Kesha, what do you need to say to your passionate and vocal fans, to the other people who have been with you through the ups and downs and continue to love and appreciate your music, every time you decide to share a new track?
Kesha performs with Reneé Rapp at the Coachella Valley Music and Array’s Outdoor Theatre. [ ] Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 14, 2024 in Indio, California.
Kesha: I just need to say that I’m not sure I would have survived the last 10 years of my life without the other people who stood by me and supported me. I was mainly thinking about it last night; I was in bed thinking about it. There were ups and downs, but there were some difficult moments and that joy in “Joyride” was very long and difficult for all of us. So I just need to say thank you and that I appreciate my pets, my next pets, my newfound pets, and my day one pets. I really appreciate one and both of you and both of you and when I stay up at night I go through my fake Instagram and I stalk you so it’s cute and I continue with the videos because I’m obsessed with your videos. makeArray doing “Joyride”. They bring me so much joy – I sit in bed and say “LOL” all night.
Conway: Finally, Kesha, if you could go back to the Kesha that just emerged in the music with “TiK ToK” and give her some advice, a warning, or a message of comfort, after all you’ve been through and what you’ve accomplished. away, what would happen? Would you tell this Kesha from 2009, if only you could?
Kesha: I wish I could give him a big hug and say, Look, it’s going to be hard, but you’re going to get through it and then you’re going to replace the global with this.
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