Earlier today we wrote about Kesha’s performance with Ben Folds last night, which she did shortly after it was announced that Kemosabe, Dr. Luke’s record label to which she’s contractually obligated, had blocked her from performing at this weekend’s Billboard Music Awards. Well now, it seems that the label has reversed stance because they’re no longer afraid that Kesha is going to use her platform at the awards ceremony to comment on the ongoing litigation. (Her performance is to be a part of a Bob Dylan tribute.)
The news was announced by Kemosabe in the following statement:
Kesha’s performance on the Billboard Music Awards was always approved, in good faith. Approval was only suspended when Kemosabe learned Kesha was to use the performance as a platform to discuss the litigation. Now that Kemosabe has obtained assurances, that it is relying upon, from Kesha, her representatives and Dick Clark Productions that neither Kesha nor her supporters will use the performance as such a platform, the approval has been restored.
It’s great and all that the public will get to see a performance from Kesha, but Kemosabe’s reversal on the decision only further highlights just how manipulative the situation is: Kesha, who has accused Dr. Luke of sexual abuse, is very much at the whims of that man and his label. What’s worse is that this brings to light the much-assumed but little-proved fact that young musicians, especially “popstars,” are very much only allowed to do what a specific set of people (those at a label) say they can do.