Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kesha
How Kesha built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kesha Rose Sebert, known professionally as Kesha, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter notable for her impact on pop music. She has achieved two number-one albums on the Billboard 200, "Animal" (2010) and "Rainbow" (2017), and boasts ten top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including the hit "Tik Tok", which was once the best-selling digital single. Kesha completed her contract with Kemosabe Records with the album "Gag Order" (2023) and has since released her first independent album, "Period" (2024) under her own label, Kesha Records.
2005: Signing with Prescription Songs
In 2005, at age 18, Kesha was signed to the music publishing company Prescription Songs and sang background vocals for Paris Hilton's single, "Nothing in This World".
2006: Signing with DAS Communications Inc.
In 2006, Kesha signed with David Sonenberg's management company, DAS Communications Inc., which was tasked with obtaining a major label record deal for her in a year.
2008: Appearance in "I Kissed a Girl" video and background vocals for Britney Spears
In 2008, Kesha appeared in the video for Katy Perry's single "I Kissed a Girl" and sang background vocals for Britney Spears' "Lace and Leather".
2009: "Tik Tok" Release and Success
In 2009, Kesha released her single "Tik Tok", which became the best-selling digital single in history with over 14 million units sold internationally.
2009: Signing with RCA Records and preparing the debut album
In 2009, after failing to negotiate with Lava Records and Atlantic Records, Kesha signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and began putting the finishing touches on her debut album, having spent the previous 6 years working on material for it.
2009: Featured on Flo Rida's "Right Round"
In early 2009, Kesha appeared on Flo Rida's number-one single "Right Round", gaining mainstream attention, despite not being credited or paid for her feature and not appearing in the video.
June 16, 2010: Benefit Concert for Tennessee Flood Victims
On June 16, 2010, Kesha held a benefit concert to aid victims of the 2010 Tennessee floods in Nashville, raising close to $70,000.
November 2010: Release of 'Cannibal' EP
In November 2010, Kesha's album Animal was re-released with a companion extended play, Cannibal. The lead single from Cannibal, "We R Who We R", debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
2010: Meeting Alice Cooper and Grammy attendance
After meeting Kesha at the 2010 Grammy Awards and guesting at a number of her concerts, rock singer Alice Cooper asked her to write lyrics for and vocally perform as a devil character on their duet track, "What Baby Wants", on Cooper's album Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011).
2010: Awards and Nominations
In 2010, Kesha received the MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Act. She was also listed as the 26th top artist on Billboard's 2010s decade-end charts.
2010: Animal Album Release and Billboard Success
In 2010, Kesha released her album Animal, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200. Additionally, Kesha received the MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Act in 2010 and was listed as the 26th top artist on Billboard's 2010s decade-end charts.
February 2011: Get Sleazy Tour
In February 2011, Kesha embarked on her first headlining world tour, the Get Sleazy Tour.
June 2011: Digital single sales milestone
By June 2011, Kesha had sold almost 21 million digital single downloads in the United States alone.
2011: Writing for Warrior while touring
In 2011, Kesha began writing for her second album Warrior while on her own headlining tour.
2011: Co-writing for Britney Spears
In 2011, Kesha co-wrote the song "Till the World Ends" for Britney Spears.
2011: "Tik Tok" sales record surpassed
In 2011, Kesha's 2009 single "Tik Tok" was surpassed as the best-selling digital single in history.
November 2012: Release of My Crazy Beautiful Life
In November 2012, Kesha released her illustrated autobiography My Crazy Beautiful Life through Touchstone Books.
November 30, 2012: Release of 'Warrior' album
Kesha's second studio album, Warrior, was released on November 30, 2012. The first single was "Die Young".
2012: Warrior Album Release
In 2012, Kesha released her album Warrior, which reached the top-ten records.
March 23, 2013: Wyler Award
Kesha received the Wyler Award presented by The Humane Society on March 23, 2013, at The 2013 Genesis Awards Benefit Gala.
July 2013: Warrior Tour
In July 2013, Kesha began the Warrior Tour to support her album, co-headlining the North American leg with Pitbull.
July 2013: Collaborative album with The Flaming Lips
In July 2013, The Flaming Lips announced their intention to release a collaborative album with Kesha called Lipsha, though the project was later canceled.
October 7, 2013: Timber release
On October 7, 2013, Kesha and Pitbull released "Timber", which became an international commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
January 2014: Rehabilitation and Name Change
In January 2014, Kesha checked into a rehabilitation center for bulimia nervosa and began working on her third studio album. After rehab, she switched to using her birth name, Kesha, rather than her previous moniker, Ke$ha.
June 2014: Rising Star Expert
In June 2014, Kesha became an expert on the American television singing competition Rising Star, alongside Brad Paisley and Ludacris.
August 4, 2015: Signing with SESAC Inc.
On August 4, 2015, Kesha signed with the American performance rights organization SESAC Inc.
October 12, 2015: Guest Starring on Jane the Virgin
On October 12, 2015, Kesha guest starred in the second season of the U.S. television series Jane the Virgin, playing Annabelle, the protagonist's hostile neighbor.
December 2015: Formation of Yeast Infection
In December 2015, Kesha revealed she had formed a country music and classic rock-influenced band called Yeast Infection and performed a live show with the band in Nashville on December 23.
April 29, 2016: "True Colors" Collaboration Release
On April 29, 2016, a studio version of the collaboration "True Colors" between Kesha and Zedd was released as a single.
May 22, 2016: Billboard Music Awards Performance
On May 22, 2016, Kesha covered Bob Dylan's song "It Ain't Me Babe" at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.
June 11, 2016: Pride in the Street Performance
On June 11, 2016, Kesha performed at Pride in the Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
July 23, 2016: Kesha and the Creepies: Fçk the World Tour Commencement
On July 23, 2016, Kesha embarked on her third worldwide concert tour, the Kesha and the Creepies: Fçk the World Tour, which commenced in Las Vegas.
July 6, 2017: "Praying" Release
On July 6, 2017, Kesha released the single "Praying," which achieved commercial success.
August 11, 2017: Rainbow Album Release
On August 11, 2017, Kesha's third studio album, Rainbow, was released to universal acclaim and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
September 26, 2017: Rainbow Tour Start
On September 26, 2017, Kesha embarked on the Rainbow Tour to promote her album, starting in Birmingham, Alabama.
2017: Rainbow Album Release
In 2017, Kesha released her album Rainbow, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200.
January 2018: "Woman" Released as Single
In January 2018, "Woman" was released as the second single from the album Rainbow.
June 6, 2018: The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore Tour Start
On June 6, 2018, Kesha began a co-headlining concert tour with Macklemore named The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore in North America.
August 5, 2018: The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore Tour End
On August 5, 2018, Kesha concluded a co-headlining concert tour with Macklemore named The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore in North America.
August 10, 2018: Rainbow: The Film Release
On August 10, 2018, Kesha's documentary film, Rainbow: The Film, was released on Apple Music, chronicling her stint in rehab and the creation of Rainbow.
September 19, 2018: "Here Comes the Change" Release
On September 19, 2018, Kesha released her song "Here Comes the Change" to promote On the Basis of Sex, a biographical film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
October 2018: "Safe" Collaboration Release
In October 2018, Kesha collaborated with her younger brother Sage Sebert and rapper Chika on the song "Safe" as an homage for the Parkland high school shooting.
February 2019: Kesha's Weird and Wonderful Rainbow Ride Cruise
In February 2019, Kesha hosted a 4-day-long cruise called Kesha's Weird and Wonderful Rainbow Ride, sailing from Tampa, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas.
October 21, 2019: High Road Album Title Announcement
On October 21, 2019, Kesha released a trailer confirming the title of her fourth studio album as High Road.
2019: "Tik Tok" sales milestone
As of 2019, Kesha's "Tik Tok" has sold about 14 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling single in digital history and the best-selling digital single in history by a female solo artist.
April 18, 2020: One World: Together at Home Performance
On April 18, 2020, Kesha performed at the One World: Together at Home benefit event.
November 13, 2020: Kesha and the Creepies Podcast Announcement
On November 13, 2020, Kesha announced the creation of her own podcast, Kesha and the Creepies, which explores supernatural subjects and alternative lifestyles.
November 20, 2020: Kesha and the Creepies Podcast Launch
On November 20, 2020, Kesha launched her podcast, Kesha and the Creepies, with new episodes premiering almost every Friday.
2020: High Road Album Release
In 2020, Kesha released her album High Road, which reached the top-ten records.
August 13, 2021: Kesha Live Tour Start
On August 13, 2021, Kesha embarked on her fifth headlining tour, Kesha Live, with Betty Who as the opening act, starting in Billings, Montana.
August 30, 2021: Electric Easy Podcast Premiere
On August 30, 2021, the scripted podcast Electric Easy, executively produced and starring Kesha, premiered, set in a futuristic Los Angeles.
September 12, 2021: Kesha Live Tour End
On September 12, 2021, Kesha concluded her fifth headlining tour, Kesha Live, after extending it to 22 shows in the U.S.
June 1, 2022: "Taste So Good" Release
On June 1, 2022, Kesha provided vocals for the song "Taste So Good," which also featured Hayley Kiyoko, Vincint, and MNEK, and was used to promote the cannabis infused drink, Cann.
July 8, 2022: Conjuring Kesha Premiere
On July 8, 2022, Kesha starred in and produced the show, Conjuring Kesha, which premiered on Discovery+.
April 25, 2023: Gag Order Album Title Announcement
On April 25, 2023, Kesha announced the title of her upcoming album as Gag Order and unveiled its artwork.
May 19, 2023: Gag Order Album Release
On May 19, 2023, Kesha released her album Gag Order, supported by the singles "Eat the Acid", "Fine Line", and "Only Love Can Save Us Now".
2023: Gag Order Album Release
In 2023, Kesha fulfilled her five-album contract with Kemosabe Records by releasing the album Gag Order.
2025: Period Album Release
In 2025, Kesha released her first independent album, Period, under her own label, Kesha Records.
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