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Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated artist Kesha is embarking on a new and innovative direction for her music life. Following a long battle having come to a close with it being put behind her and cutting ties with giant labels RCA and Kemosabe Records, she has taken total control of her artistry as an independent musician and CEO of her record company, Kesha Records. This newfound independence is seen on her next sixth studio album, marking the age where she is solely in charge of her career direction without any external interference.
The lead single of this project, “Yippee-Ki-Yay,” featuring T-Pain, will be released on March 27, 2025. The single follows up from her latest singles “Joyride” and “Delusional,” each showcasing different colors of her music palette. “Joyride,” released on July 4, 2024, was her debut on Kesha Records, marking her independence and racking up huge streaming numbers. “Delusional,” a soulful ballad unveiled on November 29, 2024, delves into disillusion and self-discovery, highlighting her vocal ability and emotional depth.
In an honest interview with PEOPLE, Kesha described the profound impact of her freedom on her music. She said, “This record really is the first time that I don’t have anyone’s claws in my back.” The album promises to slice through a variety of emotions and genres, from provocative and risky to exposed and introspective, tracing her journey towards empowerment and self-discovery. She continued, “I’m sexually free, and I’m just absolutely f---ing taking in life at the moment, and it feels so good to be able to do that as a free woman, for the first time in my life.”
Kesha’s admiration for fellow performer Lady Gaga is well-known. She has also publicly expressed her admiration for Gaga’s new release “Mayhem,” praising particularly songs like “Abracadabra,” “Blade of Grass,” and “How Bad Do U Want Me.” Such admiration from them helps to beget a larger sisterhood among female performers within the industry, something that Kesha appreciates as she collaborates with such artists as Charli XCX and Reneé Rapp. Reflecting on this solidarity, she noted, “What’s really beautiful about the past year is not only can I work with these f---ing incredible women because I want to, but it has also felt like we’re all in this together.”
With anticipation building for her upcoming album, Kesha’s tale is one of testimony to hard work and artistic integrity. Her journey from label constraint to self-empowerment is an encouraging example for artists wanting to regain control over their own artistic voices. With her sixth album in production, Kesha is set to release a piece that truly reflects her evolution and unshakeable commitment to expression.