Sony to drop Dr. Luke amid Kesha allegations: reports
UPDATE: Dr. Luke's team gave a statement to a New York Post reporter saying, "This has never come up." #drluke #freekesha
Sony Music is allegedly ending its relationship with producer Lukasz Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke.
Insiders told TheWrap that the record label wants to drop the producer after controversy bubbled over his troubled relationship with Kesha. The pop star has accused Dr. Luke of abusing, drugging and sexually assaulting her over several years. Her attempt to break her contract with Sony has made headlines since she first filed a lawsuit in 2014.
"The fact that this hasn't already been taken care of is confusing, especially for people in the building," one source told TheWrap of Sony.
Sony is expected to drop Dr. Luke one year ahead of his contract's expiration in early 2017; the very public legal battle with Kesha has caused a public relations nightmare for the company, especially since celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and Lady Gaga have joined the conversation to support the 29-year-old singer.
"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," the source told TheWrap.
In February, a judge denied Kesha's request to break her contract, pointing out that Kesha has been permitted to record without Dr. Luke. She said, "It's not in Sony's best interest to make no money. Are you really saying they are not going to promote her [music]?" She added that she would not "decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated."
Sony has not commented on the issue. It's unclear how the company would break the contract since Dr. Luke, who has denied the claims, has not been convicted of any crimes.