Sony Music reportedly plans to drop Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald in light of allegations that he emotionally, sexually, and physically abused Kesha.
Kesha sued Dr. Luke for sexual assault and battery in 2014, alleging that he had raped her and subjected her to continual to abuse since signing her as an 18-year-old in 2005. Last month, a judge's decision not to release Kesha from her contract with Sony sparked the #FreeKesha movement. TheWrap reports that the Sony is working to sever ties with Dr. Luke, 2-time ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year, a year before his contract expires. Some have wondered why the label didn't distance itself from Luke earlier.
“There is no contest. Kesha has no case in regards to her contract but they can’t afford the Adeles of the world out in the streets calling the label unsupportive,” a source told TheWrap. “The fact that this hasn’t already been taken care of with Luke is confusing, especially for people in the building.”
For the time being, Dr. Luke remains signed to Sony, as a a unilateral dissolution of Sony's contract with Luke would reportedly constitute a "direct breach." Stay tuned as the story develops.