Kesha Drops Charges of Sexual Assault Against Dr. Luke in LA

Pop star Kesha dropped her lawsuit charging producer Dr. Luke of sexual and emotional abuse in California courts on Monday. Kesha is still suing him in New York, where the lawsuit against Dr. Luke began.

Kesha, who has not released an album since 2012, is dropping the Los Angeles lawsuit to reclaim her music career and to focus on her case against Luke in New York. The singer recorded 28 new songs to fulfill her contract, according to her legal team.

“Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts,” says the singer’s attorney Daniel M. Petrocelli to Billboard. “Kesha is focused on getting back to work and has delivered 28 new songs to the record label. We have conveyed to Sony Music and the label Kesha’s strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible.”

Luke has denied Kesha’s allegations, accusing her of making up the story to get out of her recording contract. “If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them,” said Dr. Luke’s attorney Christine Lepera in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr. Luke in any court.”

In 2014, Kesha filed a suit in California courts accusing Luke of sexually, physically and emotionally abusing her. Luke countersued for defamation in a New York court. Kesha later filed another suit against Luke for sexual assault, sexual harassment and gender violence. Judge Shirley Kornreich rejected her request to record with another label and many of her other claims against Luke. Kesha then appealed both rulings. Her California case has since been on hold since June of 2015.

Her current contract with Sony Music, which was signed in 2005, requires her to record five albums for Dr. Luke and his label Kemosabe. So far, she has recorded two albums with the label. Following the legal dispute, Sony has allowed Kesha to work with other producers, but Kesha expressed doubt. Sony did allow her to record a single with EDM producer/DJ Zedd in April, however. Though her contract prohibits her from releasing new music with other artists, Kesha is currently on a live tour in seven cities, performing new music under the stage name Kesha and the Creepies. It is unknown if the new songs from performances were among the 28 songs she has released to Kemosabe.

Yesterday, she tweeted out in response to the dropped charges:

My fight continues. I need to get my music out. I am continuing to fight for my rights in New York. Thank you for all your support.

— kesha (@KeshaRose) August 2, 2016