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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tristan Kirk

Kesha settles legal war with producer Dr Luke after drugs and rape allegations

Kesha and music producer Dr Luke have reached an agreement to end a decade-long legal feud after the singer accused him of sexual and physical abuse.

They were set to clash in a New York court next month after Kesha claimed that she had been drugged and raped, and Dr Luke sued for defamation.

Posting identical statements on Instagram, the singer and the producer – real name Lukasz Gottwald - announced they have now “agreed to a resolution” of the case.

Kesha – whose songs include Tik Tok and Timber – rose to fame with a series of Dr Luke-produced hits, but in 2014 she sued him in a bid to end their contract, claiming she was “sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally abused to the point where [she] nearly lost her life”.

In response, Gottwald accused the singer of inventing rape claims to get out of a recording contract.

The terms of the deal have not been released, but the Instagram posts include words from Kesha and Gottwald.

“Only god knows what happened that night”, wrote the singer. “As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened.

“I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved.”

Gottwald, who has worked with Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Doja Cat, and Bon Jovi, vowed to “put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life”.

He added: “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened.

“I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years.”

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