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 (formerly Ke$ha), is an American singer and songwriter. She gained initial prominence in 2009 through her collaboration with rapper Flo Rida on the hit single "Right Round."
1977: Debby Boone's Number One
Since Debby Boone and "You Light Up My Life" in 1977, Kesha's single spent nine weeks at number one.
2003: Digital download tracking began
In 2003, digital download tracking began.
2005: Signed with Prescription Songs
In 2005, at age 18, Kesha was signed to the music publishing company Prescription Songs.
2006: Signed with DAS Communications Inc.
In 2006, Kesha signed with David Sonenberg's management company, DAS Communications Inc.
2008: Appearance in Katy Perry's video
In 2008, Kesha appeared in the video for her friend Katy Perry's single "I Kissed a Girl" and sang background vocals for Britney Spears' "Lace and Leather".
2009: Featured on "Right Round"
In 2009, Kesha achieved her first major success by being featured on Flo Rida's number-one single, "Right Round".
2009: Release of "Tik Tok"
In 2009, Kesha released the single "Tik Tok", which became the best-selling digital single in history.
2009: Signed with RCA Records
In 2009, after failing to negotiate with Lava Records and Atlantic Records, Kesha signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records.
June 16, 2010: Benefit Concert for 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: Animal Re-release
In November 2010, Animal was re-released with a companion extended play, Cannibal. The lead single taken from Cannibal, "We R Who We R", debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
2010: Release of Animal
In 2010, Kesha released her album Animal, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200.
February 2011: Get Sleazy Tour
In February 2011, Kesha embarked on her first headlining world tour, the Get Sleazy Tour.
June 2011: Digital Single Downloads
By June 2011, Kesha had sold almost 21 million digital single downloads in the United States alone.
2011: Began writing for Warrior
In 2011, Kesha began writing for the Warrior album while on her headlining tour.
2011: Co-wrote "Till the World Ends"
In 2011, Kesha co-wrote the song "Till the World Ends" for Britney Spears.
2011: "Tik Tok" Surpassed as Best-Selling Single
In 2011, Kesha's 2009 single "Tik Tok" was surpassed as the best-selling digital single.
November 2012: Release of My Crazy Beautiful Life
In November 2012, Kesha released the illustrated autobiography My Crazy Beautiful Life through Touchstone Books.
November 30, 2012: Warrior Album Release
On November 30, 2012, Kesha's second studio album, Warrior, was released.
2012: Release of Warrior
In 2012, Kesha released her album Warrior, which reached the top-ten records.
March 23, 2013: Wyler Award
On March 23, 2013, Kesha received the Wyler Award presented by The Humane Society at The 2013 Genesis Awards Benefit Gala.
April 2013: Release of "Crazy Kids" and airing of "Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life"
In April 2013, Kesha released "Crazy Kids" as the third single from Warrior, and it under-performed commercially. Also in April 2013, her TV documentary, Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life, began airing on MTV.
July 2013: Start of the Warrior Tour
In July 2013, Kesha started the Warrior Tour to support her album, co-headlining the North American leg with American rapper Pitbull.
July 2013: The Flaming Lips announce collaborative album with Kesha
In July 2013, The Flaming Lips stated their intention of releasing a full-length collaborative album with Kesha, called Lipsha. The project was eventually cancelled in the winter of the same year.
October 7, 2013: Release of "Timber" collaboration with Pitbull
On October 7, 2013, Kesha and Pitbull released their collaboration, "Timber", which became an international commercial success, becoming Kesha's third number-one and tenth top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100.
June 2014: Kesha Joins Rising Star as an Expert
In June 2014, Kesha became an expert in the American television singing competition, Rising Star, alongside Brad Paisley and Ludacris.
August 4, 2015: Kesha signs with SESAC Inc.
On August 4, 2015, Kesha signed with American performance rights organization SESAC Inc.
October 12, 2015: Kesha guest stars in 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.
December 2015: Formation of Yeast Infection
In December 2015, Kesha 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: Release of "True Colors" collaboration with Zedd
On April 29, 2016, a studio version of Kesha's collaboration with Zedd, "True Colors", was released as a single.
May 22, 2016: Kesha covers Bob Dylan at Billboard Music Awards
On May 22, 2016, Kesha covered Bob Dylan's song "It Ain't Me Babe" at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.
June 11, 2016: Kesha Performs at Pride in the Street
On June 11, 2016, Kesha performed at Pride in the Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
July 23, 2016: Start of the Kesha and the Creepies: Fuck the World Tour
On July 23, 2016, Kesha commenced her third worldwide concert tour, the Kesha and the Creepies: Fuck the World Tour, in Las Vegas.
August 11, 2017: Release of Rainbow
On August 11, 2017, Kesha's third studio album, Rainbow, was released, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and receiving universal acclaim from music critics.
September 26, 2017: Start of the Rainbow Tour
On September 26, 2017, Kesha embarked on the Rainbow Tour in Birmingham, Alabama, to promote her album, visiting North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.
2017: Records Sold
As of 2017, Kesha had sold over 100 million records worldwide, including 87 million tracks and streams.
2017: Release of Rainbow
In 2017, Kesha released her album Rainbow, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200.
January 2018: Release of "Woman" as a single
In January 2018, Kesha released "Woman" as the second single from the album Rainbow.
June 6, 2018: Start of The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore tour
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: End of The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore tour
On August 5, 2018, Kesha ended a co-headlining concert tour with Macklemore named The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore in North America.
August 10, 2018: Release of Rainbow: The Film
On August 10, 2018, Kesha's documentary film, Rainbow: The Film, was released on Apple Music.
September 19, 2018: Release of "Here Comes the Change"
On September 19, 2018, Kesha released her song "Here Comes the Change", as a single to promote the biographical film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, On the Basis of Sex (2018).
October 2018: Collaboration on "Safe"
In October 2018, Kesha collaborated, wrote, and performed on the song "Safe" with her younger brother Sage Sebert and rapper Chika, as an homage for the Parkland high school shooting.
2018: Grammys Performance in Support of Time's Up
At the 2018 Grammys, Kesha performed "Praying" with other notable women in music in support of the Time's Up movement, an advocacy group against sexual harassment.
2018: Protest of Donald Trump with "Woman"
Kesha wrote her 2018 single, "Woman" in protest of Donald Trump's "pussy grabbing comment".
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. The cruise set off in Tampa, Florida, and ended in Nassau, Bahamas.
October 21, 2019: Kesha confirms the title of her new album as High Road
On October 21, 2019, Kesha released a trailer to confirm the title of her album as High Road.
2019: "Tik Tok" Sales
As of 2019, "Tik Tok" had sold about 14 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling single in digital history.
2019: Album Units Sold
As of 2019, Kesha had sold 14 million album equivalent units.
April 18, 2020: Kesha performs at One World: Together at Home benefit event
On April 18, 2020, Kesha performed at the One World: Together at Home benefit event.
November 13, 2020: Announcement of Kesha and the Creepies podcast
On November 13, 2020, Kesha announced the creation of her own podcast, Kesha and the Creepies, with an announcement video.
November 20, 2020: Launch of Kesha and the Creepies podcast
On November 20, 2020, Kesha launched her podcast, Kesha and the Creepies, exploring supernatural subjects and alternative lifestyles with pop culture guests and supernatural experts.
2020: Release of High Road
In 2020, Kesha released her album High Road, which reached the top-ten records.
August 13, 2021: Start of Kesha Live tour
On August 13, 2021, Kesha embarked on her fifth headlining tour, Kesha Live (2021) with Betty Who serving as the opening act. The tour started in Billings, Montana.
August 30, 2021: Premiere of Electric Easy podcast
On August 30, 2021, the scripted podcast, Electric Easy, premiered. Kesha served as executive producer and starred in the musical neo-noir science fiction show.
September 12, 2021: End of Kesha Live tour
On September 12, 2021, Kesha ended her fifth headlining tour, Kesha Live (2021).
April 1, 2022: Cancellation of Kesha's second cruise tour
Kesha's second cruise tour, scheduled to set sail on April 1, 2022, was cancelled due to undisclosed reasons.
June 1, 2022: Release of "Taste So Good"
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: Premiere of Conjuring Kesha
On July 8, 2022, the show Conjuring Kesha, which Kesha starred in and produced, premiered on Discovery+. In the show, Kesha and her guests explore paranormal hotspots.
April 25, 2023: Gag Order Album Title Announcement
On April 25, 2023, Kesha announced the title of her album as Gag Order and unveiled its artwork.
May 19, 2023: Gag Order Album Release
On May 19, 2023, Kesha's album Gag Order was released, featuring the singles "Eat the Acid", "Fine Line", and "Only Love Can Save Us Now". The album, produced by Rick Rubin, explores themes of overcoming trauma and depression related to her lawsuit with Dr. Luke.
June 2023: Gag Order Acoustic EP and Helluva Boss Feature
In June 2023, Kesha expressed gratitude to her supporters and announced her extended play, Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space). Also in June 2023, she voiced Beelzebub "Queen Bee" in the season 1 finale of the YouTube animated series, Helluva Boss.
June 22, 2023: Settlement with Dr. Luke
On June 22, 2023, Kesha and Dr. Luke announced the official settlement of their case, a month before it was to go to trial. Kesha expressed her desire to move on and wished peace to all involved, while Dr. Luke continued to deny the original claims. Details of the settlement were not revealed.
November 2023: Lyric Change in "Tik Tok"
In November 2023, while performing, Kesha altered the lyrics to her song "Tik Tok" from "Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy" to "Wake up in the morning feeling just like me" to remove a reference to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, a response to a lawsuit from Cassie Ventura.
December 18, 2023: Parting Ways with Kemosabe Records and Vector Management
On December 18, 2023, Kesha parted ways with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records and distributor RCA, as well as amicably splitting with Vector Management, upon the expiration of their contract.
2023: Release of Gag Order
In 2023, Kesha released the album Gag Order, fulfilling her five-album contract with Kemosabe Records.
February 2024: Signing with Crush Management
In early February 2024, it was reported that Kesha had officially signed with Crush Management.
April 2024: Further Alteration of "Tik Tok" Lyrics at Coachella
During a guest appearance at singer Reneé Rapp's Coachella set in April 2024, Kesha further altered the lyrics of "Tik Tok" to "wake up in the morning, like, 'Fuck P. Diddy'" in response to additional lawsuits filed against Combs.
June 29, 2024: New Single "Joyride" Announcement
On June 29, 2024, Kesha announced her new single, "Joyride", which was released on July 4 through her self-titled label, Kesha Records, marking her first release after parting ways with Kemosabe and RCA Records.
September 2024: Distribution Deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance
In September 2024, Kesha's independent record label, Kesha Records, entered a distribution deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance, owned by Warner Music Group.
October 14, 2024: Featured on "Spring Breakers" Remix
On October 14, 2024, Kesha was featured on the remix of Charli XCX's song, "Spring Breakers", featured on her album, Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.
2024: Teaching Songwriting Course
In early 2024, Kesha taught a songwriting course called 'The Alchemy of Pop Music' at the Esalen Institute.
2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris
Kesha endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 US Presidential election.
January 24, 2025: Release of "Dear Me"
On January 24, 2025, Kesha released the song, "Dear Me", which was written by Diane Warren.
March 27, 2025: Release of "Yippee-Ki-Yay" and Announcement of "Period" Album
On March 27, 2025, Kesha released the single "Yippee-Ki-Yay", featuring T-Pain, and announced her sixth studio album, Period, which will be released on July 4, 2025.
April 3, 2025: Announcement of The Tits Out Tour
On April 3, 2025, Kesha announced The Tits Out Tour, co-headlined by the Scissor Sisters, touring the United States and Canada in support of the album Period.
May 16, 2025: Release of "Boy Crazy"
On May 16, 2025, Kesha released "Boy Crazy", the fourth single from her upcoming album Period.
June 20, 2025: Release of "ATTENTION!"
On June 20, 2025, Kesha released "ATTENTION!", a song with Rose Gray and Slayyyter.
July 4, 2025: Release of Period
On July 4, 2025, Kesha is set to release her first independent album, Period, under her own label Kesha Records.
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