Kesha’s Contract Dispute With Dr Luke Thrown Out Of Court

Kesha’s attempt to get out of a recording contract with a producer she says raped her has been dismissed by a court.

The singer was trying to dissolve a six-album deal she struck with Dr Luke. The court ruling means she cannot record any music without his involvement.

Kesha, 29, claims the producer raped, drugged and abused her, making it impossible to work with him. Dr Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald, has denied the claims.

The singer tried to have her contract scrapped in a New York court before a criminal sex assault trial in California.

so. I got offered my freedom IF i were to lie. I would have to APOLOGIZE publicly and say that I never got raped. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS behind closed doors. I will not take back the TRUTH. I would rather let the truth ruin my career than lie for a monster ever again.

A post shared by Kesha (@iiswhoiis) on Apr 3, 2016 at 10:38am PDT

But a judge said her claims that her human rights had been violated and that she was a victim of hate crimes didn’t stack up.

I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her. Kesha and I were friends for many years and she was like my little sister.

— Dr. Luke Doctor Luke (@TheDoctorLuke) February 22, 2016

The judge didn’t decide whether Kesha’s rape allegation is true—but said that less serious claims that he insulted her weight and abused her were not reason enough to dissolve her contract. The ruling is a blow for Kesha, who hoped to release new music while the sex-assault trial plays out.

The singer’s case sparked the #FreeKesha social media campaign, and has netted her celebrity allies like Taylor Swift, who gave her $250,000. Sony and Dr Luke have said the rape claims are an attempt by Kesha to negotiate a more lucrative contract.

This February Dr Luke tweeted: “Lives can get ruined when there’s a rush to judgment before all the facts come out.”