Ke$ha

2005–08: Career beginnings

At age eighteen, Kesha was signed to Luke's label, Kemosabe Entertainment, and music publishing company, Prescription Songs.^[4] Six months after hosting Paris Hilton at her house, Luke gave Kesha the opportunity to sing background vocals for Hilton's single, "Nothing in This World".^[11][12][13] In 2006, Kesha signed with David Sonenberg's management company, DAS Communications Inc., hardly interacting with Luke after that. DAS was tasked with obtaining a major label record deal for her in a year’s time with her having the option of ending the relationship if they failed.^[14] She worked with several top writers and producers while at the company and credits the creation of her beat-driven sound to a co-writing session with Greg Wells.^[4] She also co-wrote The Veronicas' single, "This Love" with Toby Gad.^[15]

While her songs were used on television programs,^[6] Kesha moonlighted as a waitress and a telemarketer to make ends meet.^[16] Two years after arriving in Los Angeles, she decided that she wanted Prince to produce her music and located his home. After she trespassed and was discovered, she was thrown out of his home, but not before she left her demo with him.^[1] She sang background vocals for Britney Spears' song "Lace and Leather" and appeared in the video for Katy Perry's single, "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008.^[2] DAS soon attracted the attention of Kara DioGuardi, who wanted to sign her to Warner. The deal fell through due to conflicts with Kesha's existing contract with Dr. Luke's label. She terminated her contract with DAS in September and reunited with Luke.^[4][14]

Kesha gained exposure in the mainstream media in early 2009 after appearing on Flo Rida's number one single, "Right Round."^[17] The collaboration was called "an accident" by Kesha; she had walked into a recording session with Flo Rida and Luke.^[18] Flo Rida wanted a female voice for the song; Luke then suggested Kesha for the part. Flo Rida liked the end result so much that they did two more tracks.^[3] However, she is not credited for her feature on the US release of "Right Round" and did not collect any money for the part.^[4][17] She also refused to appear in the video; she explained in an interview that, "if you want to be a legitimate artist, it’s more important what you say no to. I knew he would want me to be some sexpot, shake my booty, and whatever."^[19]

2009–present: Animal

Soon after, Kesha signed a multi-album deal with RCA through Luke's imprint, after being sought after by Lava Records and Flo Rida's record label, Atlantic Records as well.^[4] RCA had noticed her strong following on social media when negotiating her contract and thus relied on viral marketing to build a following for her debut single, "Tik Tok", offering the song as a free stream on MySpace in July. It was released digitally in the US in August and sent to radio two months later.^[5] She made her official stage debut at Lollapalooza and graced the cover of Women's Wear Daily in the same month as the single's release.^[20] By then, Kesha had also co-written the title track for Miley Cyrus' The Time of Our Lives EP and made an appearance on Pitbull's album.