Kesha’s New Venture: Smash Hits the Music Scene
Kesha may have waved goodbye to the dollar sign in her name, but she’s not entirely ready to ditch the green. Instead, she’s putting her financial acumen to work by launching her innovative startup, Smash, aimed at revolutionizing the music landscape for creators. This venture isn’t just a cash grab; it echoes her commitment to empowering artists, aligning seamlessly with her freshly minted record label, Kesha Records, announced last year.
At 38, Kesha is a chart-topping icon who’s woven herself into the very fabric of pop culture. But let’s not forget: beneath that glittery exterior and anthem of partying hard, lies a narrative steeped in struggle. This is a woman who has clawed her way back from the dark shadows of a predatory record deal that stripped her bare of autonomy at a young age. The battle with her former producer was a tumultuous legal saga, one that left her feeling like a puppet on strings. Now, she stands tall, declaring herself a “free woman,” ready to reclaim her space in the industry with new music and fresh initiatives.
In an exclusive chat with WIRED, Kesha painted a vivid picture of Smash as a “community-based platform” where music creators can unite, collaborate, and maintain complete creative control over their work. “I want a place where artists can thrive without the hassle of gatekeeping,” she declared, reshaping the narrative for budding musicians who often find themselves mired in restrictive contracts and industry politics.
Think of Smash as the LinkedIn for music makers—only a glitzy, music-infused version where artistry reigns supreme. It’s also reminiscent of Fiverr, but with an important twist: artists’ rights are prioritized at every step of the way, ensuring that creators can keep what they earn.
Leading the tech brigade for this ambitious project is Alan Cannistraro, Kesha’s CTO and a veteran from Apple and Facebook fame. With a pedigree that includes launching groundbreaking iOS apps and spearheading social platforms, Cannistraro is well-equipped to help Kesha execute her vision.
The world will soon see a platform where creativity flourishes, partnerships blossom, and rights are fiercely defended. Kesha is no longer just a party girl dolling out pop anthems; she is a savvy entrepreneur determined to alter the music business canvas for future generations of artists.
Original Story https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/kesha-is-now-a-startup-founder/
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