Kesha Rose Sebert (born March 1, 1987), better known by the
mononym Kesha (
pronunciation: /ˈkɛʃə/ KESH-ə, stylized
Ke$ha), is an American pop singer and songwriter. In 2005, at 18, Kesha was signed to
Dr. Luke's record label, Kemosabe Entertainment, and publishing company. Although an active musician since then, singing background vocals and writing songs for other artists, her breakthrough only came in early 2009 after appearing on
Flo Rida's number one single, "
Right Round."
Her debut single, "
Tik Tok", released in late 2009, reached number one in 11 countries. Her debut album,
Animal, was released in January 2010 and debuted at number one in the US, Canada and Greece. By September, Kesha had sold two million albums worldwide and released three more top ten singles from
Animal.
[2] The album was re-released with a companion extended play,
Cannibal, in November, preceded by the chart-topping lead single "
We R Who We R".
Life and career
1987–2004: Childhood and youth
Kesha was born Kesha Rose Sebert in Los Angeles, California, to Pebe Sebert, a singer and songwriter. Pebe, a single mother, struggled financially while supporting herself, Kesha and her older brother, Lagan, at the time. They had to rely on welfare payments and food stamps to get by.[3] When Kesha was an infant, Pebe would often have to look after her onstage while performing.[4] Pebe moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1991 after securing a new publishing deal for her songwriting. Kesha's younger brother Louis was born shortly after. Pebe frequently brought Kesha and her brothers along to recording studios and encouraged Kesha to sing.[3] Pebe also taught Kesha how to write songs, and they would often write together when she returned home from school.[3][5] However, she dropped out of school at seventeen and earned her GED after.[6] The Seberts were featured in an episode of The Simple Life as the host family to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in 2005.[7]
2005–09: Career beginnings
In 2005, at 18, Kesha was signed to Dr. Luke's label, Kemosabe Entertainment, and his music publishing company, Prescription Songs.[9] Kesha later sang background vocals for Paris Hilton's single, "Nothing in This World".[10] Dr. Luke became preoccupied with other incoming projects, having enjoyed success writing and producing for Kelly Clarkson's album, Breakaway. Kesha then signed with David Sonenberg's management company, DAS Communications Inc., in 2006, hardly interacting with Dr. Luke after that. DAS was tasked with obtaining a major label record deal for Kesha in a year’s time in exchange for 20 percent of her music income, with her having the option of ending the relationship if they failed.[11] She worked with several writers and producers while at the company and ended up co-writing The Veronicas' single, "This Love" alongside Toby Gad.[9][12] While furthering her career in studio, Kesha earned her living as a waitress.[3] Two years after arriving in Los Angeles, she decided that she wanted Prince to produce her music and located his home; soon thereafter she trespassed on his property. Once she was discovered, she was thrown out, but not before she left her demo with him.[3]
She appeared in the video for Katy Perry's single, "I Kissed a Girl" and sang background vocals for the Dr. Luke produced song, "Lace and Leather" by Britney Spears in 2008.[13] DAS soon attracted the attention of Kara DioGuardi, who wanted to sign Kesha to Warner Bros. Records. The deal fell through due to her existing contract with Dr. Luke's label. Soon after, she terminated her contract with DAS, reuniting with Dr. Luke.[9][11]
2009—present: Animal and Cannibal
Musical style and themes
Kesha has cited Beck, Queen, Madonna, Johnny Cash, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, The Damned, Velvet Underground, Talking Heads and Blondie as musical influences.[37][38][39][40][41] She also highlighted Dylan's Nashville Skyline as her favorite album and called her debut album, Animal, an homage to the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill.[38] She has writing credits on every track on the album and defended her decision to make pop music in an interview, explaining that, "[p]eople get so pretentious about pop music so I do feel like I'm fighting this battle. My record is honest and fun. It's a celebration of youth and life and going out and getting crazy. I'm about non-pretentious irreverence and fuck off good fun!"[42][43] Animal is of the dance-pop genre; it incorporates elements of electropop in its production. It ranges from high energy pop dance tracks, to electronic ballads.[42]
Discography
Tours
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominated work | Event | Award | Result |
|---|
| 2010 | Herself | American Music Awards[56] | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Favorite Female Artist | Nominated |
| 2010 |
| Herself | Eska Music Awards | World Debut of the Year | Won |
| Herself | MTV Europe Music Awards[57] | Best New Act | Won |
| Best Push Act | Nominated |
| MTV Video Music Awards[58] | Best New Artist | Nominated |
| "Tik Tok" | Best Female Video | Nominated |
| Best Pop Video | Nominated |
| "My First Kiss" | Best Collaboration | Nominated |
| "Tik Tok" | MuchMusic Video Awards[59][60] | International Video of the Year - Artist | Nominated |
| UR FAVE: International Video | Nominated |
| Herself | People's Choice Awards[61] | Favorite Breakout Artist | Nominated |
| Herself | Teen Choice Awards[62] | Choice Music: Female Artist | Nominated |
| Choice Music: Breakout Artist – Female | Nominated |
| Choice Summer Music Star: Female | Nominated |
| Animal | Choice Music: Album – Pop | Nominated |
| "Your Love Is My Drug" | Choice Music: Single | Nominated |
| Choice Summer Music: Song | Nominated |
| Herself | World Music Awards[63] | Best New Artist | Nominated |
| 2011 | Animal | Echo Awards[64] | Most Successful Newcomer of the Year, International | Pending |
| Juno Awards[65] | International Album of the Year | Pending |
Her debut single, "Tik Tok", released in late 2009, reached number one in 11 countries. Her debut album, Animal, was released in January 2010 and debuted at number one in the US, Canada and Greece. By September, Kesha had sold two million albums worldwide and released three more top ten singles from Animal.[2] The album was re-released with a companion extended play, Cannibal, in November, preceded by the chart-topping lead single "We R Who We R".
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