Kesha is an American pop singer, songwriter and rapper who rose to fame in the late 2000s with her smash hit "Tik Tok." Known for her unique voice, bold fashion choices and carefree attitude, Kesha has become an inspirational icon for many.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kesha was born Kesha Rose Sebert on March 1, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Pebe Sebert, was a singer-songwriter who co-wrote the Dolly Parton hit "Old Flames Can‘t Hold a Candle to You." Kesha was raised by her single mother and grew up on welfare. As a child, Kesha would often accompany her mother to recording studios and watched her mom struggle to get by as a songwriter.
In 2005 at age 18, Kesha signed her first recording contract with Dr. Luke‘s label Kemosabe Records. She later dropped out of high school to pursue her music career full-time. For the next few years, she worked with several producers and wrote songs for other artists like Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus.
Some of her early accomplishments include co-writing The Veronicas‘ hit single "This Love" in 2006 and providing background vocals for Paris Hilton‘s album in the same year.
Early Singles and Guest Appearances
Kesha got her first taste of success in 2008 when she was featured on Flo Rida‘s hit single "Right Round," which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The exposure from "Right Round" helped propel Kesha‘s debut solo single and lead single from her upcoming album, "Tik Tok," to the top spot on the charts shortly after. "Tik Tok" became a global sensation, selling over 14 million copies worldwide.
Meteoric Rise with "Animal" (2009-2010)
Riding high off the success of "Tik Tok" and having the most downloaded song in history at the time, Kesha released her debut album Animal in January 2010. Fueled by party anthems like "Your Love Is My Drug" and "Take It Off," the album topped the charts in multiple countries and was certified platinum.
Accolades and Chart Domination
In 2010, Kesha dominated the charts and won several notable awards:
- Kesha had eight consecutive top ten singles, breaking a record previously held by Lady Gaga and Rihanna
- Won Billboard Music Award for Breakthrough Artist
- Won American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
- Won MTV EMA Award for Best New Act
- Named Billboard‘s Hot 100 Artist of 2010
Thanks to Kesha‘s smash hit singles and dollar sign jewelry, she became the biggest breakout pop star of 2010. She was named MTV‘s Artist of the Year and Billboard‘s Hot 100 Artist of 2010.
Evolving Artistry and Continued Success (2011-2016)
After dominating the charts in 2010, Kesha began evolving her musical style…
New Directions
She expanded beyond party pop to explore country, rock and balladry on songs like "The Harold Song" and "Only Wanna Dance with You." Kesha also collaborated with rock bands like The Flaming Lips.
Worldwide Touring
In 2012, Kesha embarked on her first headlining tour, the "Warrior Tour", alongside rapper Pitbull. That year, she also released her sophomore album Warrior which debuted at number 6 on the Billboard charts.
The North American leg of her "Warrior Tour" grossed nearly $40 million and helped promote animal rights and LGBT causes.
TV and Other Ventures
Beyond music, Kesha expanded into hosting reality shows, providing voice-over work for cartoons like The Simpsons, and collaborating with other artists. She also continued writing songs for artists like Ariana Grande.
Triumphant Comeback and Inspiring Advocacy (2017-Present)
After a protracted legal battle…
Personal Struggles
Behind the scenes, Kesha was battling an eating disorder and sued her producer Dr. Luke for emotional and sexual abuse in 2014. Unable to release new music due to legal restrictions, Kesha focused on recovery and healing.
Chart Return and Artistic Growth
After a long hiatus, Kesha made her comeback in 2017 with the release of her third studio album Rainbow. The album received critical acclaim and showcased Kesha‘s vocal talents on inspirational power ballads like "Praying" and "Learn to Let Go." She opened up about her struggles through deeply personal songs that marked a musical evolution.
Impactful Advocacy
Since her return, Kesha has become an advocate for animal rights, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. She received the 2019 Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign for using her platform to promote LGBTQ equality.
In 2020, Kesha returned to pop music with her fourth album High Road which contained hits like "Raising Hell."
The Legacy of a Pop Rebel
Over a decade into her career, Kesha has left an undeniable impact on pop music and culture…
- Her defiant spirit and outspoken personality have inspired many fans to embrace their quirks
- Showed the courage to address issues like mental health and sexual assault in mainstream music
- Paved the way for more expression of vulnerability and wisdom in pop
At just 36, Kesha still has so much left to give the world. She has undoubtedly left her mark as a trailblazing pop rebel who fought to reclaim her voice. Despite adversity, she found the strength to uplift others and come out stronger.
