Kesha has shared the studio version of “Joyride,” her first single of 2024 and the first to be released on her own label, Kesha Records. Check out a lyric video for the track, which she debuted live at Brooklyn’s Planet Pride in June, below. Kesha co-wrote the song with Zhone and Madison Love.
Kesha has touted the self-release of “Joyride” as a celebration of independence after a long, rocky relationship with Kemosabe, the label of superproducer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. As with her 2017 album, Rainbowand sequel High roadKemosabe released Kesha’s 2023 album, Speech banin association with RCA. (Dr. Luke did not work on those records.) A month later Speech banFollowing Kesha’s release, Dr. Luke settled a years-long defamation lawsuit over her accusation that the producer sexually assaulted her in 2014. “Joyride” marks her first release since her Kemosabe contract ended.
Kesha will headline the Wawa Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia tonight, followed by a Lollapalooza show (and afterparty concert) this summer, along with a performance at the Festival Hera HSBC in Mexico City.