Sony Music is set to end its working relationship with the controversial producer Lukasz ‘Dr Luke’ Gottwald, a key figure in the ongoing story involving recording artist Kesha, a year before his contract officially finishes, according to reports. A spokesperson for Dr Luke has denied the claims.
Nearly 18 months after Kesha, born Kesha Rose Sebert, first said that Dr Luke had sexually assaulted her, as well as subjected her to nearly a decade of emotional and physical abuse, the case has become a public relations issue for Sony.
Last month, the music label was called out by many musicians around the world when Kesha and her legal team lost a challenge to free her from her contract with Kemosabe Records, a subsidiary of Sony owned by Dr Luke and with which Kesha has been signed since she was 18. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich denied the 29-year-old singer’s request, stating that in the eyes of the law the contract could not be made void.
Upon hearing the news, footage of Kesha crying in the Manhattan courtroom was widely circulated online, receiving public support from Adele, Taylor Swift, and many more.
Kesha leaves the courthouse in Manhattan after losing her case to break her contract with Dr Luke [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]
Citing two unnamed sources, The Wrap, a Hollywood trade website, is now claiming that Dr Luke’s five-year contract with Sony, which officially terminate in early 2017, will be severed by the music giant.
On February 24th, Kesha publicly asked Sony to sever its working relationship with Dr Luke, claiming that her actions have nothing to do with looking for better terms.
“This is about me 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,” the singer wrote.
Dr Luke, who has consistently refuted all of Kesha’s claims, calling them “outright lies,” responded to the reports that Sony may end his contract early by denying the validity of the claims.
Within hours of The Wrap’s story going live, a spokesman for the music producer said the rumours were not true.
“Luke has an excellent relationship with Sony. His representatives are in regular contact with executives at the highest levels at Sony and this has never come up,” the spokesman said.
