Kesha Interview

‘CLOTHING IS AN OPTION. BUT NOT BODY PAINT’

..says Ke$ha about her obsession with body paint. The Tik Tok hitmaker is out with her second album, Warrior, and gets candid with After Hrs about her journey and musical influences

Ishani Bose

Ke$ha: Warrior by RCA Records is all about living your life as you want and not listening to s**t from people who are jealous and want to pull you down with them. In terms of music, it is very different from the previous album, as even I’ve matured since Animal. The album lets people understand that they don’t have to change for the sake of it.

AH: In one of your interviews, you said that Warrior is your attempt at reviving the rock and roll genre. Do you think it’s harder for a woman to succeed in rock?

Ke$ha: For other women, I don’t know, but it was definitely not such a big task for me. I live on Rock and Roll. It runs through my veins. All I know is that I’ve got what it takes to succeed as a Rock and Roll star. I’ve grown up idolizing superstars in this genre, and I have the b**ls to repeat the glory days.

AH: Unlike your other songs like Tik Tok and Blah Blah Blah, your cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Don’t think twice, it’s all right’ was a turning point in your career, as people started looking at you differently. Would you like to comment on it?

Ke$ha: I recorded that song on my air mattress while practicing the cadence and lyrics. That’s when I realized how deeply it related to my life. I’m a wild child with animalistic behavior. So, for me, it was very tough to strip back to that level for the world to judge me or my singing. Although I received positive reviews, it felt like I was defenseless and completely vulnerable.

AH: Who are your musical influences? What genres of music do you like listening to? 

Ke$ha: Iggy Pop has been the biggest influence in my life. Ever since my brother introduced me to him at the age of 10, I started idolizing him. I got to work with him on the current album, and my dream came true when I finally collaborated with the genius. And as I said earlier, rock ‘n roll is the genre of music I grew up listening to.

AH: Suddenly, we see that women have taken over pop. For example, you, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. What reasons would you attribute to it?

Ke$ha: I definitely think that we run it, women. The re- cent change is because women today have become ballsy and have started speaking up their minds. It is exciting to see new talents coming up.

AH: I’d read somewhere that you had to wait on tables at some point in your life. As far as the music industry is concerned, you first appeared in rapper Flo Rida’s hit Right Round Right Round before coming up with your hit single TikTok, and now your second album, Warrior. How has the journey been? Did you always expect you would become this famous?

Ke$ha: It was an accident that I got to sing the song. Flo Rida was looking for a female singer. I went to meet up with Dr Luke, and he suggested that I do the part. I used to wait tables to get by. After that, my first album was released, and the single TikTok went big. It has helped me grow in the industry. I always hoped to be remembered as a pop diva who changed the music with her bold attitude. All these years have helped me grow as a person and artist.

AH: Like other celebrities, Are you planning to develop your fashion line, mainly because you are known for your outlandish fashion sense? Also, tell us something about your obsession with body paint.

Ke$ha: Body paint is something I’m fanatically attached to. I love putting up body glitter and paint and enjoying it. Even at my parties, clothing is an option, not body paint. If someone is not wearing it, we all will paint the person. Regarding my fashion line, I’m already working on my animal-friendly jewelry and fake fur line, which will come out soon.

AH: How big is the difference between you in real life and you on stage?

Ke$ha: Not much, actually; well, just tone it down to 30 percent from the stage act. This is the question everyone has on their mind and will be solved with my reality show Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life. It is slated to be released soon and will show a glimpse of my day-to-day activities.

AH: Let’s round it off with your future plans.

Ke$ha: All I want is to be remembered as an icon who changed the music industry with her ballsy attitude, who pushes boundaries and emerges as a f***ing inspiration for the upcoming talents. It is a long journey, and I’m en route. 

ishani.bose@dnaindia.net