Facing Trauma Through Music: Kesha

    Kesha Rose Sebert, or as everyone in 2010 remembers her, Ke$ha, is an American singer and songwriter. She is most noted for her hit singles “Tik Tok”, “Blow”, "Your Love Is My Drug” and many more. She had a rough upbringing with her and her brother being raised by their single mother, who was trying to pursue a music career. Kesha’s mother encouraged her to pursue singing when she was young and helped her start her music career. In 2005, at the age of 18, Kesha was signed to producer Dr. Luke’s record label. Her big breakthrough after years of singing background vocals and writing songs for other artists was in 2009, after appearing on rapper Flo Rida’s single “Right Round”. Even though she was uncredited, her talents showed through and helped her gain fame. Her debut single “Tik Tok” topped charts for 9 weeks, then she released her hit debut album Animal and her first extended play Cannibal in 2010. Kesha’s party girl aesthetic quickly made her a polarizing figure.

In 2014, Kesha admitted herself to rehab for bulimia nervosa, which she had been struggling with since the start of her music career. In that same year, she sued producer Dr. Luke for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, emotional abuse, and violation of California business practices, which had occurred over 10 years working together. On February 10, 2016, Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich ruled against Kesha’s request for a preliminary injunction to be released from Dr. Luke’s record company. This started the #FreeKesah movement on social media, which garnered support from many other artists such as Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, who donated to legal fees. On April 6 of that same year, the same judge dismissed the case and said that even if the allegations were true, the five–year statute of limitations had run out on the two most specific rape allegations. The lawsuit went on until a settlement was reached in 2023, but between that time, Kesha continued to make music under Dr. Luke, and also made songs and did performances in defiance of him.

Kesha is a spiritual person who believes in a higher power and has created music through it. In the song “Praying,” Kesha uses her spirituality to express how she has found a sense of peace by forgiving those who have caused her pain. While the song is about her own trauma, it is not about revenge; it is a message of hope for both the survivor and the abuser. Nick Cave has also processed his trauma through religion and music. He does identify with Christianity, but the way he describes his process of writing being influenced by religion sounds more like a transcendental experience. Both of their processes with religion and music seem like a force is helping drive their process. Nick Cave’s new album, Skeleton Tree, has a lot of religious influence. When he was writing it, he describes it as if he were in a flow state. Both of these creatives have faced hardships, but use spirituality to drive their music towards healing.

.