All "Animals" can rejoice! Kesha is making her way back onto the music scene! The pop singer has just announced she will be going on tour with Diplo for the Mad Decent Block Party 2016. Kesha also surprised fans when she joined Zedd onstage at Coachella with a new song, "True Colors" (listen HERE). So why should "non-animals" also care Kesha is back?
BACKGROUND:
If you've been living under a rock, then you need to know this: Kesha stopped making music after her 2012 album Warrior, produced on a sub-label under Sony called Kemosabe Entertainmnt. Kemosabe is owned by music producer Dr. Luke. In October 2014, after a stint in rehab for an eating disorder, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke, claiming he abused her for 10 years. The claims made against Dr. Luke include him allegedly forcing her to snort drugs, take pills, threatening her if she told anyone about him raping her, as well as physical threats. Dr. Luke filed a countersuit that same month, claiming Kesha and her mother were only trying to get out of the exclusive contract.
Earlier this year, Kesha's attorney filed an injunction for Kesha to be released from her contract. A judge said she had been "given opportunity to record", denying the injunction. The judge referred to Sony's offer to let Kesha record with other companies and said she wouldn't consider the counterclaims until "they can provide more evidence". What's the problem with that?
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
STATISTICS:
According to California law: "For criminal cases, a prosecutor may file a charge of aggravated rape at any time, with no limitation (in California, an aggravated rape is rape that involves a weapon, more than one person, or seriously injures the victim). Prosecution for "normal" sexual assault has a statute of limitations of six years." So, depending on when the rape(s) took place, Kesha may not be able to pursue action for that act. Even then, out of every 100 instances of rape, only 7 lead to arrests, and only 3 ever make it to a prosecutor's desk (RAINN.org).
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):
- 80% of rape victims are under the age of 30,
- another American is sexually assaulted every 107 seconds,
- 68% of rapes are never reported to the police,
- 98% of rapists never see jail time,
- Approximately 4/5 rapes are committed by someone the person knows, and
- 47% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance.
So when the judge wants more "proof", how is Kesha supposed to prove it?
Why Kesha Being Back Matters:
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
For one, the statistics above. For another, to be a voice for those too scared to come forward. Rape victims often share stories of how they weren't believed even by police and turned away when they tried to press charges. Others were "so in love" they couldn't see it for what it was. Others were too ashamed to say anything. Kesha can give victims their voice back. She can encourage people to stand up and speak up. She was never asking to be sexually assaulted or abused.
This also shows how other artists are rallying behind Kesha. From musicians like Demi Lovato taking to twitter to speak out, to Taylor Swift's $250,000 donation to Kesha's legal battle, to Zedd having her perform "True Colors" at Coachella, and Diplo getting her on the Mad Block Party tour. Musicians are rallying around Kesha in support of her fight. One person standing behind her and against Dr. Luke is Kelly Clarkson. She came out earlier this year saying "I was blackmailed into working with Dr. Luke... Unfortunately, when you have that poor of character, like, so many artists don't like you and don't like working with you" (quoted HERE).
Kesha is starting a conversation we need to have. Like many topics, sexual assault is taboo and rarely discussed. The pop singer is moving the conversation forward and helping people be less afraid to come forward. She knows she has a long fight ahead of her. On her Instagram, Kesha posted she was "offered my freedom if I were to lie. I would have to apologize and say that I never got raped... I will not take back the TRUTH." Her resilience and relentless efforts are inspiring. They are showing everyone that you can come back from abuse and assault. You can fight and while certain battles may be lost, you can win the war. She's not backing down nor should she. Keep the conversation going. Stand up, speak up. You've got this, Kesha.
Watch Kesha cover Lady Gaga's "Til It Happens To You" at the 2016 To The Rescue Gala. It's a powerful, emotional rendition of Gaga's already intensely incredible song.