Kesha Unveils New Country-Pop Single “Yippee-Ki-Yay”
On Thursday, Kesha released her latest single, “Yippee-Ki-Yay,”featuring T-Pain, marking the third track from her highly anticipated sixth studio album, intriguingly titled Period (yes, the punctuation mark). This new release continues her exploration of the evolving sounds within the music industry, blending elements of country and pop.
A Strong Collaboration
“Yippee-Ki-Yay”follows in the footsteps of her previous singles “Joyride”and “Delusional,”both launched last year. This dynamic track unites two standout voices from the late 2000s and early 2010s pop era, showcasing Kesha’s versatility and T-Pain’s unique style. Produced by Pink Slip and Nova Wav, the song exemplifies the current trend of country influences permeating mainstream pop music—a shift that has been gaining momentum in recent years. Notably, T-Pain has shared insights into his experiences ghostwriting for country artists, making this collaboration even more intriguing.
Teasing New Music
In the lead-up to her album announcement, Kesha has been teasing fans by updating the artwork of her past albums, overlaying bold pink circles that create a fresh visual identity. This artistic choice reflects her ongoing evolution as an artist.
Release Date and Independence
Period is set for release on July 4, coinciding with Independence Day, a fitting choice as it symbolizes Kesha’s newfound artistic freedom. This will be her inaugural album as an independent artist, following five records released under RCA Records and Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records.
Moving Forward
After enduring a protracted legal battle with Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, Kesha’s settlement in 2023 has allowed her to express excitement about closing this chapter and embarking on new ventures. Her allegations against Gottwald regarding sexual assault had sparked years of legal strife, culminating in Kesha’s keen desire to move on.
A New Era with Kesha Records
Her 2023 release, Gag Order, was the final project with RCA and Kemosabe. Following that, Kesha officially launched her own label, Kesha Records, in partnership with Warner Music Group’s independent distribution division, ADA. In her own words, “My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity, and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and any future artists signed to my label.” She emphasizes the transformative power of music, aiming to create positive connections through her work while asserting her agency in the music industry.
As Kesha strides confidently into this next phase of her career, fans eagerly await the full debut of Period and the insights it will undoubtedly provide into her journey.