Los Angeles: Singer Kesha’s performance at the Billboard Music Awards has been canceled by Dr Luke and her label Kemosabe Records.
Dick Clark Productions, which oversees the annual awards show, released a statement saying that the 29-year-old “TiK ToK” hitmaker has been barred from taking the stage on May 22, reported US magazine.
“Kesha accepted an invitation to perform on the show and she received written approval from Dr Luke’s record label, Kemosabe Records.
“Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday May 11 regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs. Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show,” the statement read.
Kesha took to Instagram to respond to the cancellation of her BBMAs set.
“I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of ‘It ain’t me, babe’ at the Billboard awards this year. I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this.
“I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr Luke,” Kesha wrote.
The singer said she had no plans to use the stage to speak something on her legal battle with the producer.
“I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. Thank u all for the continued support,” she added.
Kesha and Dr Luke are involved in a legal battle with the singer accusing her producer of sexual assault. However, Dr Luke has strongly denied Kesha’s claims of abuse.
