Sony is reportedly about to terminate their contract with American producer Dr. Luke a year before his contract ends after a public outcry of support for Kesha.
According to The Wrap, Sony has had enough with the public relations nightmare that followed the New York Supreme Court’s ruling that Kesha could not break her contract with Dr. Luke despite claims of abuse.
“Kesha has no case in regards to her contract but they can’t afford the Adeles of the world out in the streets calling the label unsupportive,” an individual “familiar with upper management’s thinking” told The Wrap.
“The fact that this hasn’t already been taken care of with Luke is confusing, especially for people in the building.”
Dr. Luke, born Lukasz Gottwald, signed a five year contract in 2011 with Sony, beginning his own branch of the label Kemosabe Records. Kesha is signed to the label, however, she’s been trying to exit the deal since 2014.
“I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser,” Kesha wrote in a statement on her Facebook last month.
In the past few months a number of high-profile artists have offered their support to Kesha including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Adele and Lena Dunham.
Recently Kelly Clarkson spoke out against Dr. Luke, saying her record label forced her to work with him. “I only worked with him because literally I got blackmailed by my label,” Clarkson said.
Gottwald has consistently denied Kesha’s claims most recently taking to Twitter to write, “It’s sad that she would turn a contract negotiation into something so horrendous and untrue.”
UPDATE 10/03/2016: Dr. Luke’s attorney has denied that Sony are ending his contract.
“This is not true,” he told Billboard.
“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.”
Watch: Kesha – Tik Tok
