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This article is about the singer. For the town in China, see Kesha, Hunan.

Kesha

Kesha Rose Sebert (born March 1, 1987),[4] better known by her first name Kesha (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈkɛʃə/ KESH-ə, stylized Ke$ha), is an American pop singer, rapper and songwriter. Her debut single, "Tik Tok", released in late 2009, reached number one in eleven countries and set the weekly records for digital downloads of a female artist[5] and total Top 40 Mainstream airplay in the US.[6] By reaching the top in 2010, the song also became the first Billboard Hot 100 number one of the decade[7] and the longest running number one debut single by a female artist since 1977.[8]

At the age of eighteen, Kesha was signed to Dr. Luke's record label and publishing company.[9] Although an active musician since 2005, singing background vocals and writing songs for other artists, her breakthrough only came in early 2009 after appearing on Flo Rida's number one single "Right Round". Before being brought to RCA Records, she had amassed an extensive social media following that was factored in for the promotion of her debut single and album.[10] Her debut album, Animal, was released in early 2010 and debuted at number one in the US.[11] Kesha will open for Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth tour later that year.

Life and career

Childhood and youth

Kesha was born in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles to Pebe Sebert, a singer and songwriter. Pebe, a single parent, struggled financially while supporting Kesha and her older brother, Lagan,[2] at the time and they had to rely on welfare payments and food stamps to get by.[12] She would look after then infant Kesha onstage while performing.[13] Pebe moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991 after securing a publishing deal. She often brought Kesha and her brothers, Lagan and Louis, along to recording studios[2] and encouraged Kesha to sing.[12]

The Sebert family was featured in an episode of The Simple Life in 2005.[14] Kesha was already working on her music by then.[15] Pebe had taught Kesha how to write songs[2] and they would often write together when she returned home from high school.[16] She described herself in an interview as being "very studious" in high school; she would often drive to Belmont University to listen in on Cold War history classes after school and achieved "near perfect" SAT scores.[16] However, she dropped out at the age of seventeen and earned her GED later,[17] after being convinced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin to return to Los Angeles and pursue a music career.[12] They had come across her demos and were impressed.[9]

Career beginnings: 2005–08

At the age of eighteen, Kesha was signed to Luke's own label and music publishing company.[9] Luke and Kesha later became estranged, with Kesha eventually signing with David Sonenberg's management company, DAS Communications Inc. in 2006. They were tasked with obtaining a major label record deal for her in a years time.[18] She worked with several top writers and producers while at the company and credits the creation of her beat-driven sound to a co-writing session with Greg Wells.[9] She also co-wrote The Veronicas' single, "This Love" with Toby Gad.[19] Her songs were used on Degrassi: The Next Generation,[20]The Hills,[21][12] Teen Cribs[22][23] and My Super Sweet 16 as well.[24]

Kesha moonlighted as a waitress and a telemarketer[25] to make ends meet while furthering her music career in the studio.[2][12] When she first arrived in Los Angeles, she had the opportunity to sing background vocals for Paris Hilton's single, "Nothing in This World," which led to a later incident in which she vomited in Hilton's closet.[15] Kesha had also wanted Prince to produce her music, so she located and trespassed into his Beverly Hills home. Once discovered, she was thrown out, but not before she left her demo with Prince, who did not contact her afterward.[12] She later remarked that, "I felt it was harmless at the time, but looking back it was pretty psychotic."[26] She appeared in the video for Katy Perry's single, "I Kissed a Girl." Her appearance in the video arose due to her friendship with Perry; they met frequently as aspiring pop singers in Los Angeles and shared many musical collaborators.[27]

In 2008, DAS attracted the attention of Kara Dioguardi, who wanted to sign Kesha to Warner. The deal fell through due to existing conflicts with Kesha's contract with Dr. Luke's label. She terminated her contract with DAS in September[18] and reunited with Luke.[9] She later sang background vocals for Britney Spears' song "Lace and Leather".[1]

Breakthrough: 2009

Kesha gained exposure in the mainstream media in early 2009 after appearing on Flo Rida's number one single, "Right Round."[28] The collaboration was called "an accident" by Kesha;[29] she had walked into a recording session with Flo Rida and Luke, who was producing the song. Flo Rida had wanted a female voice for the song, Kesha was then suggested for the part by Luke. Flo Rida liked the end result so much that they did two more songs.[4]

Kesha is not credited for her feature on the US release of "Right Round"[9] and did not collect any money for the part.[28] She also refused to appear in the video; she explained in an interview that, "if you want to be a legitimate artist, it’s more important what you say no to. I knew he would want me to be some sexpot, shake my booty, and whatever."[30] The song achieved success worldwide while Kesha continued to live on a meager income, which inspired the dollar sign in her stage name. She states that it was meant to be ironic, in that she "actually [stood] for the opposite of putting a lot of emphasis on money."[15]

Kesha performing at The Echo in 2009.

Soon after, it was announced that Kesha had signed a multi-album deal[10] with RCA Records through Luke's imprint, after being sought after by many major labels,[3] and was working on her debut album.[12] She made her official stage debut at that year's Lollapalooza as part of the BMI Stage, with Time Out Chicago saying that the set "left the audience wanting more," comparing it to crack cocaine.[31] She later graced the cover of Women's Wear Daily.[31] In September, the former lead singer of punk band The Actual, Max Bernstein, was hired as her bassist. She supported Calvin Harris on tour in the UK[27] and toured with Mickey Avalon in the US.[31]

Kesha's debut single, "Tik Tok", had been released digitally in the US in early August, and was sent to radio two months later in October. Her label noticed her strong following on social media when negotiating her contract and relied on viral marketing to build a following for the song, offering the song as a free stream on MySpace as early as July.[10] In 2009, Kesha had also co-written the title song for Miley Cyrus' The Time of Our Lives EP[32] and made an appearance on Pitbull's album.

Commercial success: 2010–present

A number one placing in New Zealand for "Tik Tok" in October 2009 gave Kesha her first number one;[19] this was followed by number one positions in ten other countries. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010, becoming the first number one of the decade.[7] For its second week at number one on the chart, the song set the weekly record for the most digital downloads of a female artist and became the second best-selling single in a week, after "Right Round", by shifting 610,000 copies.[5] At its fifth week at the top, it broke the record for the highest weekly total Top 40 Mainstream airplay record.[6] Spending nine weeks at number one, "Tik Tok" became the longest running number one debut single by a female artist since Debby Boone's 1977 single "You Light Up My Life".[8]

Kesha's debut album, Animal, was released on January 5, 2010 in the US to mixed reviews from music critics. Rolling Stone called the album "repulsive, obnoxious and ridiculously catchy."[33] It debuted at number one in the US, selling 152,000 copies with 76% of sales coming from digital outlets, the largest weekly digital percentage share for an album at number one.[11] Second single, "Blah Blah Blah" managed to debut on the charts in the US, Canada and Ireland before being announced as the next single due to strong digital sales following the release of the album.[34][35][36] By March, Animal had sold a million copies worldwide with half of the sales coming from digital downloads.[10]

Kesha at MuchMusic Video Awards rehearsal in 2010.

Kesha presented with Justin Bieber at the 52nd Grammy Awards in February[37] and performed on American Idol in March.[38] She made her debut Saturday Night Live appearance as the musical guest in April.[39] "Tik Tok" was featured in the opening sequence for The Simpsons episode "To Surveil With Love" where the entire cast lip-synced to the song,[40] making it the first time that the series has forgone its traditional opening theme for another song since its creation.[41]

In May, Kesha's former managers from DAS filed a lawsuit seeking $14 million in damages from Kesha and $12 million from Dr. Luke for commissions on her RCA record deal, alleging that she squeezed them out of her career under pressure from Luke. Kesha's lawyer, Charles Ortner, said she was entitled to end her relationship with the firm for failing to "get [her] a major-label record deal in a year" and that they had nothing to do in her eventual signing with RCA.[18]

Kesha was featured on two top ten singles by Taio Cruz and 3OH!3.[42][43] She will also be an opening act along with Travie McCoy on the North American leg of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth tour[44] and will perform for the revival of Lilith Fair.[45]

Philanthropy

Kesha organized a benefit concert held on June 16, 2010 to help victims of the May 2010 Tennessee floods from her hometown Nashville.[46] She also donated 1,000 pounds of dog food to a local animal shelter for pets abandoned in the flood.[47] She explained the motivation behind the benefit "Nashville helped shape me as an artist and as a person and my love for this city is beyond words. I will continue to do anything I can to help rebuild this city and support the families and animals who have been affected by this tragedy."[46]

On June 21 2010 Kesha was one of the celebrities at "The Gulf Coast relief telethon" whom answered calls from people wanting to donate to help those impacted by the oil spill, and their efforts helped bring in $1.8 million. The event was orchestrated by Larry King, and aired on CNN.[48]

Image and artistry

Kesha has been noted for her party girl image and behavior,[49] while both her and her music have been dismissed early on as lightweight, calculating and crude. She insisted otherwise in an interview, "I have been working on realizing this dream, my path, my mission, for years. I’ve really invested a lot of thought, time and effort into it. The last thing that makes me is a victim [of celebrity culture]. I think it’s a bummer when people don’t represent that properly, when they portray me as purely one-dimensional."[50]

Kesha's styling comprises messy hair, smudged makeup and a wardrobe she describes as "garbage-chic". The look developed from her being poor and trying to brand herself as best she could on a budget.[51] She has named Keith Richards as her fashion inspiration.[15] The Guardian called her "the degenerate Hannah Montana" and stated that "her whole shtick appears to be predicated on the idea that she's a rebel in American Apparel."[52] Her stage makeup is characterized by dramatic makeup at her right eye, inspired by A Clockwork Orange,[53] and body glitter.[54] Kesha came in at number fifty-six on Maxim's 2010 Hot 100 list of the "world’s most beautiful women".[55]

Influences

Kesha has listed Beck, Queen, Madonna, Johnny Cash, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan[49][56][57] as well as rap and old-school punk bands[58] such as the Beastie Boys and The Damned as musical influences.[49] Her lyrics are influenced by the storytelling style of country music.[12]

Themes and genre

Kesha has writing credits on every song on Animal.[9] She defended her decision to make pop music for the album in an interview, explaining that, "People get so pretentious about pop music so I do feel like I'm fighting this battle. My record is honest and fun. It's a celebration of youth and life and going out and getting crazy. I'm about non-pretentious irreverence and f**k off good fun!"[59]

Kesha credits the album as having a rock edge, with straightforward lyrics[27] based on her life experiences.[25] She has expressed frustration at the double standard for the objectification of women in music. Thus, in songs such as "Blah Blah Blah" and "Boots and Boys", she makes it a point to sing the same way men traditionally sing about women.[2][53] She has urged critics not to take her lyrics seriously; such as in "Tik Tok", where she has been criticized for referencing brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey. She explained that, "Everyone's really offended by that (the Jack Daniel's lyric). But come on, brushing your teeth with Jack Daniel's: what girl does that? People are like, 'Do you really advocate brushing your teeth with bourbon?' I'm like, 'Yes, actually, I do, every day, for everybody. Especially eight year olds.' I mean, what are you talking about? Of course I don't. Come on."[50]

Animal is of the dance-pop genre; it incorporates elements of electropop in its production. It ranges from high energy pop dance songs, to electronic ballads, to songs with guitar riffs.[60] When it came to her ballads, Kesha stated that they "[would] still have that four-on-the-floor to keep the heads moving."[27] She also regards the need for her live shows to be "rowdy and really fun, and hopefully dance-inducing."[27]

Vocal style

"Tik Tok" (2009)
Kesha's debut single and one of many songs in which she raps and uses Auto-Tune on her voice.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Kesha uses a sing-song rapping style[9] on a number of her songs, most notably on her debut single "Tik Tok". The New York Times proclaimed that the success of the song represented "the complete and painless assimilation of the white female rapper into pop music."[30] The Los Angeles Times compared this vocal style to that of L'Trimm and Salt-N-Pepa.[61] Kesha has been criticized for using Auto-Tune and vocoders to distort her vocals on her album Animal.[62] Billboard conceded that the heavily processed vocals "[made] it hard to tell whether [Kesha could] actually sing."[63]

Discography

Main articles: Kesha discography and List of Kesha songs

Awards and nominations

Eska Awards

The ESKA Awards were established by the Polish radio station ESKA and are held annually in Poland.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 Kesha Best New Arist Of The Year Won

MuchMusic Video Awards

The MuchMusic Video Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Tik Tok" International Video of the Year - Artist Nominated
UR FAVE: International Video Nominated

Teen Choice Awards

The Teen Choice Awards were established in 1999 to honor the year's biggest achievements in music, movies, sports and television. Votes consist of young people aged between 13 and 19.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 Kesha Choice Music: Female Artist Pending

World Music Awards

The World Music Award is an international awards show founded in 1989 that annually honors recording artists based on worldwide sales figures provided by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 Kesha Best New Artist Nominated

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f Day, Elizabeth (November 29, 2009). "She's a walking, talking living dollar". The Guardian. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Superstar Producer Dr. Luke Brings Highly Sought After Pop Singer to RCA Records" (Press release). RCA Music Group. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Mazzella, Alysia (March 2, 2009). "Ke$ha: Crazy, Sexy & Too Fuckin' Cool". 21–7 Magazine. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
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  37. ^ "52nd Grammy Awards". January 31, 2010. CBS. {{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series= (help)
  38. ^ "Top 12 Results". American Idol. Season 9. Episode 23. March 17, 2010. Fox. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Saturday Night Live". Season 21. Episode 19. April 17, 2010. NBC. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |series= (help)
  40. ^ "To Surveil With Love". The Simpsons. Season 21. Episode 20. May 2, 2010. Fox. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "'The Simpsons' Open Show With Ke$ha Lip-Dub". HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. May 3, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  42. ^ "Chart Stats - Taio Cruz Ft Kesha - Dirty Picture". UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  43. ^ My First Kiss - Billboard charts Billboard.com
  44. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (April 16, 2010). "Ke$ha: It's 'A Bummer' Nicki Minaj Pulled Out Of Rihanna Tour". MTV Networks. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  45. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (December 10, 2009). "Lilith Fair Lineup Is Announced". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  46. ^ a b Wigler (May 6, 2010). "Ke$ha Announces Nashville Flood Benefit Concert". MTV Networks. Retrieved May 7, 2010. {{cite web}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  47. ^ Jung, Helin (May 6, 2010). "Ke$ha Donates 1,000 Pounds of Food to Nashville's Homeless Pets". Peoplepets. Time Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  48. ^ "Ke$ha Help Raise $1.8M for Oil Spill Relief". Zimbio. Zimbio. June, 22, 2010. p. 1. Retrieved 22 June 2010. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ a b c Hess, Mike (January 11, 2010). "Ke$ha Can Handle Her Liquor and Success". PopEater. AOL Inc. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  50. ^ a b Cairns, Dan (March 7, 2010). "Ke$ha demands a pinch of respect and mirth". Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  51. ^ Piazza, Jo (February 7, 2010). "Ke$ha's Look: Garbage Chic or Just Plain Trash?". PopEater. AOL Inc. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kesha.

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