Kesha won’t get to perform with Ben Folds at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards but that doesn’t mean she won’t get to perform at all. During his Los Angeles show with yMusic on May 18, Ben Folds brought Kesha out to perform three songs and a partial cover of Kesha’s song “Sleazy.” The duo performed a cover of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe” and Folds’ “Fighting It” and “Rock This Bitch.” Check out the Dylan cover up top and the Folds’ tracks below.
https://youtu.be/m1LtFElaPps
https://youtu.be/Ej1T8VnOcSQ
Kesha thanked Folds for the opportunity in an Instagram post after show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFlTonZu1ZG/
Kesha has been involved in a long struggle with producer and Kemosabe Records head Dr. Luke. The pop star tried and failed to be released from her contract with the mega-producer who she alleges sexually assaulted her. Though Luke has been keeping her from releasing new music and blocked her BBMAs performance after rumors swirled that said it would portray him in a negative light, Kesha has still managed to eke out new songs and scattered performances.
Kesha has said that the performance was meant to be a tribute to Bob Dylan, with no allusions to her legal battle with Luke.
“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,” she wrote on Instagram. At least, she finally managed to get that tribute out to the people.
(Via Pitchfork)