After months of back and forth in the courtroom and on social media, embattled singer Kesha has dropped her lawsuit against music producer Dr Luke in the Los Angeles courts.
However, the popstar has also filed a similar complaint in New York and will focus her efforts there, as well as on releasing new music, according to her lawyer Daniel Petrocelli.
Watch Kesha in her first public performance since the court battle at the Billboard Music Awards – story continues below
“Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts,” Mr Petrocelli said.
On Instagram, Kesha herself spoke out about the latest development in the extended legal battle against her former mentor.
“My fight continues. I need to get my music out. I have so much to say,” she wrote.
“I am continuing to fight for my rights in New York. Thank you for all your support.”
Kesha, 29, was contracted to provide five albums for Dr Luke’s label and had previously released just two. However, Mr Petrocelli said Kesha has now delivered 28 new songs to Dr Luke’s record label Kemosabe and Sony Music Entertainment and hopes to release her next album and single as soon as possible.
There is speculation that if the tracks aren’t released, Kesha and her lawyers could use it to bolster her claim that Sony and Dr Luke are refusing to release her music.
The ‘Timber’ singer had previously alleged that Dr Luke – real name Lukasz Gottwald – sexually, physically and emotionally abused her for the past 10 years, a claim which he has denied.
Earlier this year, Kesha lost her bid to be released from her contract with Kemosabe after a New York Supreme Court Justice ruled against her request. She also lost a later appeal in April.
Kesha with Dr Luke at an awards ceremony before the lawsuit was filed. Photo: Getty
The Daily Mail reports that Kesha is appealing the New York rulings that prevented her from voiding her contract with Dr Luke and his label and dismissed her claims of abuse.
In a statement, Dr Luke’s attorney Christine Lepera said, “If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them. Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr Luke in any court.”
The music producer is counter-suing Kesha for defamation.
Watch Kesha’s tearful acceptance speech at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in the video below.
