Katy Perry has reignited her professional relationship with Dr. Luke, the controversial music producer, for her upcoming album. This marks their first collaboration in a decade, despite the serious allegations made against him by fellow pop star Kesha. Perry’s new era began with the announcement of her lead single, “Woman’s World,” which she teased on TikTok. The song credits, which surfaced on social media, listed Dr. Luke as a producer, a fact later confirmed by a source from Perry’s label, Capitol Records.
“Katy knew exactly the album she wanted to make and put together the team to make it happen,” the source said. This team includes previous collaborators like Dr. Luke, Stargate, Max Martin, and Sarah Hudson. Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, co-produced many of Perry’s early hits, including “California Gurls,” “Roar,” and “Dark Horse.” However, their professional relationship seemed to end after Perry’s 2013 album “Prism.”
In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against Dr. Luke, accusing him of a decade-long period of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Kesha alleged that Dr. Luke had drugged and raped her, subjected her to psychological torment, and caused her to starve herself. Dr. Luke denied all allegations and countersued for defamation. During their lengthy court battle, Perry’s name was mentioned in texts between Kesha and Lady Gaga, where Kesha claimed that Perry had also been raped by Dr. Luke. Perry testified that this was not true and expressed her desire to stay out of the legal battle.
Despite the serious allegations, Dr. Luke has continued to find work in the music industry, producing hits for artists like Doja Cat, Latto, and Nicki Minaj. However, Perry’s decision to work with him again has sparked backlash from fans. Many expressed their disappointment and anger on social media, questioning the decision to collaborate with a producer accused of such serious misconduct.
Perry has previously defended Dr. Luke’s character in a deposition, stating that she did not believe he was capable of committing rape or sexual assault. She also claimed that Dr. Luke used her as a “pawn” to salvage his public image during his legal battle with Kesha. Despite this, Perry continued to work with Dr. Luke’s company, Prescription Songs, on her 2017 album “Witness.”
The legal battle between Kesha and Dr. Luke reached a settlement last year, though Kesha has never retracted her allegations. In response to Perry’s announcement of her new single, Kesha posted a cryptic message on social media, simply stating “lol.” This has only added to the controversy surrounding Perry’s decision to work with Dr. Luke again.
Dr. Luke’s career faced significant challenges following Kesha’s allegations, but he has managed to maintain his influence in the music industry. His company, Prescription Songs, has continued to sign successful songwriters and producers, contributing to numerous hits for artists like Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and Selena Gomez. Despite the negative publicity, Dr. Luke’s business ventures have thrived, and he has continued to produce chart-topping songs.
Perry’s decision to collaborate with Dr. Luke again has raised questions about the music industry’s handling of allegations of misconduct. While some artists have distanced themselves from Dr. Luke, others have continued to work with him, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the industry. Perry’s choice to work with Dr. Luke, despite the serious allegations against him, has sparked a debate about accountability and the power dynamics in the music industry.
As Perry prepares to release her new album, the controversy surrounding her collaboration with Dr. Luke is likely to continue. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts her career and the broader conversation about misconduct in the music industry.
