Grammy-nominated superstar Kesha goes independent, launches Kesha Records via global distribution partnership with ADA

23 September 2024 - Press release

ADA, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), today announced a new deal with Grammy-nominated pop sensation Kesha via her newly-launched label, Kesha Records. The partnership sees ADA cover global distribution for the star’s future releases including her upcoming album due out in 2025, as well as the project’s current single, “Joyride,” which nabbed a Top 10 spot on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. ADA will also work in tandem with Crush Music overseeing marketing and promotion for Kesha’s forthcoming album. This marks Kesha’s first distribution deal and gives her full creative control and ownership of her work. 

Kesha said, “I am proud to announce this partnership for the distribution of my music through Kesha Records. My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity, and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and any future artists signed to my label. Music has the power to connect the world, and I aspire for my work to be a beacon of light and goodness. I am excited to take control of my narrative and rewrite my story in the music business.”

Cat Kreidich, President, ADA, said: “Since the start of her career, Kesha's authenticity has distinguished her as a true artist whose vibrant self-expression resonates strongly with her fans. We believe ADA is the ideal home for her, and we're honored and committed to supporting Kesha as an independent artist while maintaining her creative integrity and unapologetic bold-spirit.”

Of the new partnership, Crush Music said: "We are honored to be on this joyride with Kesha as she embarks on this new entrepreneurial phase of her career and continues to build Kesha Records with the support of Crush’s full service team and ADA."

Kesha’s latest hit, “Joyride,” recently surpassed 50M streams across all platforms, was named a “Song of the Summer Contender” by Pitchfork, and landed on the Spotify U.S. and Global Viral charts upon release. The star recently hit major milestones with updated RIAA certifications. “TiK ToK” is now 12x Platinum, and with “Timber,” she has two Diamond-certified singles in the U.S. Other hits like “Die Young,” “We R Who We R,” and “Praying” have reached 6x and 5x Platinum. These achievements push her total U.S. sales over 75 million.

The star’s legendary discography also encompasses two No. 1 albums, ten Top 10 singles, and billions of streams. Kesha’s third studio album Rainbow debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to land a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Album in 2017. The album’s lead single “Praying” spent 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance. Since then, she’s released two critically-acclaimed projects, High Road and Gag Order. Quickly catapulting to worldwide acclaim in 2009 after an uncredited feature on Flo Rida’s smash “Right Round,” Kesha’s debut album Animal soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured a string of major chart successes. The fiery lead single “TiK ToK” quickly garnered global success, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and, at the time, breaking the record for the highest sales week for a single in the U.S. Recently, the RIAA 8x Platinum single reached one billion streams on Spotify. Other top 10 hits from Animal include “Your Love Is My Drug,” “Blah Blah Blah,” and “Take It Off.” In late 2010, Kesha’s success continued with an additional No. 1 debut on the Hot 100 with “We R Who We R,” and, in 2013, she nabbed yet another chart-topper with “Timber,” an explosive collaboration with Pitbull.

In addition to her work with Flo Rida and Pitbull, the star has collaborated with numerous artists throughout her accomplished career, including Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, and Zedd, among many others. Additionally, Kesha has been a staunch advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, women’s rights, and animal welfare through various organizations since the start of her career.