Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kesha
How Kesha built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kesha Rose Sebert is an American singer and songwriter who gained prominence in 2009. Her initial breakthrough occurred with her feature on Flo Rida's chart-topping hit, "Right Round."
2005: Signed to 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., tasked with obtaining a major label record deal for her within a year.
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, selling over 14 million units internationally.
2009: Signed with RCA Records and Debut Album
In 2009, Kesha signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and began putting the finishing touches on her debut album. She wrote approximately 200 songs for the album. The album was later certified Platinum in the United States and sold two million copies worldwide by September.
June 16, 2010: Benefit Concert for Flood Victims
On June 16, 2010, Kesha held a benefit concert where all proceeds went to aid victims of the 2010 Tennessee floods in her hometown Nashville, raising close to $70,000.
November 2010: Re-release of Animal with Cannibal EP
In November 2010, Kesha's album Animal was re-released with a companion extended play, Cannibal.
2010: Met Alice Cooper at the Grammys
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 on his album Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011).
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: Writing for Warrior
In 2011, Kesha began writing for her second studio album, Warrior, while on her own 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 in sales
In 2011, Kesha's 2009 single "Tik Tok" was surpassed as the best-selling digital single in history.
November 2012: My Crazy Beautiful Life Release
In November 2012, to coincide with the release of her album Warrior, Kesha released the illustrated autobiography My Crazy Beautiful Life through Touchstone Books.
November 30, 2012: Warrior Album Release
Kesha's second studio album, Warrior, was released on November 30, 2012.
2012: Release of Warrior
In 2012, Kesha released the album Warrior, which reached the top ten on the US Billboard 200.
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 for increasing awareness of animal issues via the media.
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 her album 'Warrior'. Additionally, the TV documentary 'Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life' began airing on MTV during April 2013.
July 2013: Warrior Tour start
In July 2013, Kesha commenced the Warrior Tour to promote her album 'Warrior'. The North American segment of the tour was co-headlined by rapper Pitbull.
July 2013: Flaming Lips collaboration announcement
In July 2013, The Flaming Lips announced their plans to release a collaborative album with Kesha, titled 'Lipsha'. This project was later cancelled.
October 7, 2013: Release of "Timber" with Pitbull
On October 7, 2013, Kesha and Pitbull released their collaboration, 'Timber'. The song became an international commercial success.
June 2014: Rising Star expert
In June 2014, Kesha was an expert on the American television singing competition Rising Star, alongside Brad Paisley and Ludacris.
August 4, 2015: Signs with SESAC Inc.
On August 4, 2015, Kesha signed with American performance rights organization SESAC Inc.
October 12, 2015: Guest starring on Jane the Virgin
On October 12, 2015, Kesha guest starred as Annabelle on the second season of the U.S. television series Jane the Virgin.
December 2015: Formation of Yeast Infection
In December 2015, Kesha revealed that 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: Release of "True Colors" collaboration with Zedd
On April 29, 2016, a studio version of 'True Colors', a collaboration 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: Fuck the World Tour Commences
On July 23, 2016, Kesha embarked on her third worldwide concert tour, the Kesha and the Creepies: Fuck the World Tour, which began in Las Vegas.
July 6, 2017: Release of "Praying"
On July 6, 2017, Kesha released her single 'Praying', which was successful in various countries and became the lead single from her album 'Rainbow'.
August 11, 2017: Release of Rainbow
On August 11, 2017, Kesha released her third studio album, 'Rainbow'. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and was critically acclaimed.
September 26, 2017: Rainbow Tour Start
On September 26, 2017, Kesha embarked on the Rainbow Tour to promote her album, Rainbow, starting in Birmingham, Alabama.
2017: Record Sales
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 the album Rainbow, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200.
2017: 'Joyride' Charts in the UK
The song "Joyride" became Kesha's first song to chart on the UK Singles Chart since 2017.
January 2018: Release of "Woman" as a 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: End of The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore tour
On August 5, 2018, the co-headlining concert tour with American rapper Macklemore named The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore ended.
August 10, 2018: Release of Rainbow: The Film
On August 10, 2018, Kesha's documentary film, Rainbow: The Film, was released on Apple Music. The film documents her time in rehab and the making of 'Rainbow'.
September 19, 2018: Release of "Here Comes the Change"
On September 19, 2018, Kesha released her song 'Here Comes the Change' to promote the biographical film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 'On the Basis of Sex'.
October 2018: Collaboration on "Safe"
In October 2018, Kesha collaborated with her brother Sage Sebert and rapper Chika on the song 'Safe', 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 Time's Up, an advocacy group against sexual harassment.
2018: Protest Song Against Donald Trump
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 cruise called Kesha's Weird and Wonderful Rainbow Ride. The cruise departed from Tampa, Florida, and ended in Nassau, Bahamas.
October 21, 2019: High Road Album title announcement
On October 21, 2019, Kesha released a trailer to confirm the album's title as High Road.
2019: Album Sales
As of 2019, Kesha had sold 14 million album equivalent units.
January 31, 2020: Release of High Road album
On January 31, 2020, Kesha's fourth studio album, High Road, was released.
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: Podcast creation announced
On November 13, 2020, Kesha announced the creation of her own podcast, Kesha and the Creepies.
November 20, 2020: Podcast launch
On November 20, 2020, Kesha launched her podcast 'Kesha and the Creepies', exploring supernatural subjects with guests.
2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden
In 2020, Kesha endorsed Joe Biden for the US Presidential Election.
2020: Release of High Road
In 2020, Kesha released the album High Road, which reached the top ten on the US Billboard 200.
August 13, 2021: Kesha Live Tour Start
On August 13, 2021, Kesha embarked on her fifth headlining tour, Kesha Live, which began in Billings, Montana.
August 30, 2021: Electric Easy podcast premiere
On August 30, 2021, Electric Easy, a scripted podcast executively produced by and starring Kesha, premiered. It is a musical neo-noir science fiction show set in Los Angeles.
September 12, 2021: Kesha Live Tour End
On September 12, 2021, Kesha Live tour ended.
April 1, 2022: Cancellation of Cruise Tour
Kesha's second cruise tour, scheduled for 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', along with Hayley Kiyoko, Vincint, and MNEK. The song promoted the cannabis-infused drink, Cann.
July 8, 2022: Conjuring Kesha premiere
On July 8, 2022, 'Conjuring Kesha', a show starring and produced by Kesha, premiered on Discovery+. The show features Kesha and her guests exploring paranormal hotspots.
February 2023: New song preview and Instagram update
In February 2023, Kesha previewed a snippet of a new song on Instagram Livestream. She updated her Instagram profile and revealed new song titles.
April 25, 2023: Album Title and Artwork Unveiled
On April 25, 2023, Kesha announced the title of her album as Gag Order and revealed its artwork.
May 19, 2023: Gag Order Album Release
On May 19, 2023, Kesha released her album Gag Order, featuring singles "Eat the Acid", "Fine Line", and "Only Love Can Save Us Now". The album, produced by Rick Rubin, explores themes of trauma and depression.
June 2023: Acoustic EP and Helluva Boss Feature
In June 2023, Kesha announced her third EP, Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space), featuring live acoustic performances from her album. Also in June 2023, she voiced Beelzebub "Queen Bee" in the season 1 finale of the YouTube series, Helluva Boss.
June 2023: Settlement of Legal Dispute
In June 2023, the legal dispute between Kesha and Dr. Luke was settled out of court.
June 22, 2023: Settlement of Lawsuit with Dr. Luke
On June 22, 2023, Kesha and Dr. Luke announced the official settlement of their long-standing legal case. Kesha expressed her desire to move forward and wished peace to all involved, while Dr. Luke continued to deny the original claims.
December 18, 2023: Parting Ways with Kemosabe Records and Vector Management
On December 18, 2023, it was reported that Kesha had parted ways with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records and distributor RCA as their contract expired. Kesha also amicably split with Vector Management, thanking her former manager, Jack Rovner.
2023: Release of Gag Order
In 2023, Kesha fulfilled her five-album contract with Kemosabe Records by releasing the album Gag Order.
February 2024: Signing with Crush Management
In early February 2024, it was reported that Kesha signed with Crush Management. She also indicated she has been writing new music and has a release date marked on her calendar.
June 29, 2024: Announcement of New Single 'Joyride'
On June 29, 2024, Kesha announced her new single, "Joyride", which was set to be released on July 4 through her self-titled label, Kesha Records.
September 2024: Distribution Deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance
In September 2024, Kesha's independent record label, Kesha Records, entered into a distribution deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance, owned by Warner Music Group.
October 14, 2024: Featured on Charli XCX's 'Spring Breakers' Remix
On October 14, 2024, Kesha was featured on the remix of Charli XCX's song "Spring Breakers", which was featured on her album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.
2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris
In 2024, Kesha endorsed Kamala Harris for the US Presidential election.
2024: Songwriting Course at Esalen Institute
In early 2024, Kesha taught a two-and-a-half week songwriting course called 'The Alchemy of Pop Music' at the Esalen Institute.
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 Album Announcement
On March 27, 2025, Kesha released the single "Yippee-Ki-Yay", featuring T-Pain. On the same day, Kesha announced her sixth studio album, Period, which will be released on July 4, 2025.
July 4, 2025: Planned Release of Period
Kesha is set to release her first independent album, Period, under her own label Kesha Records on July 4, 2025.
2025: Upcoming Sixth Studio Album
Kesha's sixth studio album is slated for a 2025 release.
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