Singer and musician Kesha is going to be honored with Billboard’s Women in Music Trailblazer Award at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, THR reports. The event will take place on December 9 in New York.
“By combining artistic fearlessness with unbounded creative energy, Kesha has continually pushed the limits of what was once thought possible in pop music,” Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group said Monday in a statement. “She’s a force on stage, an inspiration in person, and a true trailblazer for millions of music fans around the world.”
Kesha burst onto the music scene in 2010 when her single “Tik Tok” held the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 10 weeks. The full album, “Animal,” topped the Billboard 200. She’s had three other number one’s on Billboard’s charts: “Your Love Is My Drug,” “Die Young,” and “Timber.”
But since her 2012 album, Kesha hasn’t released new music because of an ongoing lawsuit that alleges that her long-time producer, Dr. Luke, drugged and sexually assaulted her. The resulting contractual dispute with Sony dominated headlines and sparked much-needed discussions about rape culture, corporate greed, and institutional sexism. Adele, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington, and Reese Witherspoon are among the many who have publicly stood up for Kesha and other survivors of sexual abuse.
In August of this year, Kesha dropped the lawsuit in Los Angeles, but kept the New York suit in tact. We can only hope that justice can still prevail.
As Billboard has previously announced, Madonna will be named this year’s Woman of the Year. Shania Twain will receive the Icon award, Halsey will receive the Rising Star award, Andra Day will receive the Powerhouse award, Meghan Trainor will receive the Chart Topper award, and Maren Morris will receive the Breakthrough Artist award.
