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Last night, Kesha performed an emotional rendition of her single Praying at the 60th GRAMMY Awards in New York City.
Featured image: Kolombiyar via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC 4.0
The pop superstar remained defiant as she performed her single Praying, an ode to recovery after abuse and depression.
Kesha, who has been embroiled in a legal dispute with her former producer Dr Luke over the past four years, took to the stage at the world’s most anticipated annual music event accompanied by a legion of other female artists.
From pop royalty Cyndi Lauper to the new kids on the block including Camila Cabello and Julia Michaels, the stars appeared resilient as they added unity to Kesha’s heart-wrenching performance, dressed in all-white in support of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements.
Appearing visibly emotional yet determined to make her mark on the awards show, Kesha powered through the pop-tinged ballad, stealing the evening in the process.
Kesha’s is a story well documented in the media during a pre-Time’s Up era, with the singer accusing Dr Luke of sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and emotional abuse during the prior ten years of the pair working together. Dr Luke has denied all claims against him.
During Kesha’s legal battle, she remained unable to release new music or go on tour, with her lawyer stating that her career was at risk of “plummeting past the point of no return”. Meanwhile, Kesha battled an eating disorder and depression as a result of the alleged abuse, with her dream of once again being able to release new music keeping her going.
Taking to Twitter before the star-studded bash, Kesha said:
when i wrote praying, with ben abraham and ryan lewis, i just felt as if i had gotten a huge weight off of my shoulders. it felt like an emotional raw victory for myself, one step closer to healing. I never could have known what would've happened these past few years. pic.twitter.com/7qibyvdzNm
— kesha (@KeshaRose) January 27, 2018
Praying was released as the lead single from Rainbow, her third full-length studio album, and her first since the legal battle with Dr Luke began.
The single details Kesha’s triumphant battle against depression and her harrowing experiences of abuse, whilst offering forgiveness to those who have wronged her, with raw and heartfelt lyrics including: “I’m proud of who I am. No more monsters, I can breathe again…And you said that I was done, well you were wrong and now the best is yet to come.”
It’s a courageous tale of healing and acceptance that many survivors of abuse, harassment and violence will understand, and a song that empowers from start to finish.
Talking of the single when it was first released back in July, Kesha said:
This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. It’s a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone. It’s also about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal. I hope this song reaches people who are in the midst of struggles, to let them know that no matter how bad it seems now, you can get through it. If you have love and truth on your side, you will never be defeated. Don’t give up on yourself.
Unfortunately, Kesha didn’t manage to bag the two GRAMMY awards she was nominated for, with the Best Pop Solo Performance going to Ed Sheeran’s club-ready anthem Shape Of You (Kesha was nominated for Praying). The Brit also claimed Best Pop Vocal Album for his effort Divide, an accolade Kesha was also in the running for with her album Rainbow.
“after everything you've done I can thank you for how strong I have become”
thank you to the @RecordingAcad, the women on stage with me tonight, and everyone who has supported me through this whole journey. pic.twitter.com/43gOsofL0S— kesha (@KeshaRose) January 29, 2018
Watch the mesmerising performance of Praying below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFfE-fE2QDM
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