A look back at the singer's relationship with the producer — from signing with him over 10 years ago to the legal battles that have impacted her life and career.
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Sept. 2005
After dropping out of high school in Tennessee and moving to Los Angeles, Kesha, 18, signs a six-album deal with hot young producer Dr. Luke and his Kasz Money company.
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Oct. 5, 2005
Kesha and Luke attend a party at Paris Hilton’s house. Her mother, Pebe (above), now says that the rape and drugging alleged in Kesha’s 2014 civil suit against Luke took place after the party.
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Jan. 2, 2010
Kesha’s debut single, “Tik Tok,” produced by Luke, begins a nine-week reign at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a then-record for the largest digital sales week.
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August 2012
Kesha works on her second LP, Warrior, at Luke’s Malibu studio. She alleges in her 2014 lawsuit that his violent threats during this period once caused her to flee his house barefoot and hide.
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Jan. 3, 2014
Kesha says in a statement that she’s entering rehab for an eating disorder “to learn to love myself again.” Her mother soon joins her at Illinois’ Timberline Knolls rehab center near Chicago.
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Oct. 14, 2014
Kesha files a civil lawsuit in California against Luke claiming that for 10 years, he had “sexually, physically, verbally … abused” her and detailing the alleged 2005 rape.
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Feb. 19, 2016
In a Manhattan courtroom, Kesha sobs as a state judge denies her a preliminary injunction that would have allowed her to record outside of her contract with Luke.
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Feb. 22, 2016
After Adele, Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson voice their support for Kesha, Luke maintains his innocence in a series of tweets. “I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her,” he writes.
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Feb. 25, 2016
As the #FreeKesha movement grows, Sony Music states publicly that it “is legally unable to terminate” her contract with Luke because Sony was not party to the original deal.
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March 5, 2016
While accepting an award from the Human Rights Campaign Nashville, Kesha urges the crowd, “Don’t be afraid to speak up against any injustice you experience.”