Wikipedia

Dr. Luke

Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald(born September 26, 1973),[3]known professionally asDr. Luke,Tyson Trax,andMade in China,is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He began his professional music career as theSaturday Night Live Bandband's lead guitarist in 1996. After which, he produced remixes for acts such asBon JoviandGravediggaz,and came into prominence in 2004 for producingKelly Clarkson's single "Since U Been Gone"with Swedish record producerMax Martin.

Dr. Luke
Gottwald in 2014
Gottwald in 2014
Background information
Birth nameŁukasz Sebastian Gottwald[1]
Also known as
  • Kasz
  • Richard Head
  • Made in China
  • Tyson Trax
  • Loctor Duke[2]
Born(1973-09-26)September 26, 1973(age 51)
Providence, Rhode Island,U.S.
OriginNew York City,U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1996–present
Formerly ofSaturday Night Live Band

Gottwald continued to co-write and produce commercially successful songs such as "Who Knew"(2006) forPink,"Girlfriend"(2007) forAvril Lavigne,[4]and "I Kissed a Girl"(2008) forKaty Perry,before leavingSaturday Night Liveand reuniting with Clarkson for "My Life Would Suck Without You"(2009). As the founder of bothKemosabe Recordsand Amigo Records, Gottwald has signed artists such asKesha,Doja Cat,Becky G,Juicy J,R. City,andLil Bibbyto the former, as well asKim PetrasandJoy Oladokunto the latter.[5]

In 2014, Gottwald was involved in a legal dispute with Kesha. The caseKesha v. Dr. Lukewas settled out of court in June 2023.

Gottwald owns two publishing companies, Kasz Money Publishing, for his own songs, andPrescription Songs,which employs other songwriters. As of January 2011, he has garnered 21 Top 40BillboardHot 100singles, becoming the producer with the third most such hits since the charts were created.[6]His work has been recognized with various music industry awards.Billboardnamed him one of the top performing producers of the 2000s. TheAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishersawarded him Producer and Songwriter of the Year honors from 2009 to 2011. At the53rd Annual Grammy Awards,he was nominated for aGrammy AwardforProducer of the Year, Non-Classical,and Perry'sTeenage Dreamwas nominated forAlbum of the Year.

Early life

Gottwald was born inProvidence, Rhode Island.[3]He isJewish.[7]His father, Janusz Jerzy Gottwald, was an architect who was born inŁask,Poland.[8]Gottwald spent many of his formative years inNew York City.He had originally wanted to be adrummer,but his parents refused to allow a drum kit in the house.[3]At 13, he picked up his older sister's guitar and taught himself how to play. As a teenager, Gottwald would "listen to bad music over and over, if there was a guitar part [he] admired, so [he] could figure out what the guitar player was doing right."[3][7]

Career

Gottwald attended theManhattan School of Musicfor two years.[9]He joined theSaturday Night Live Bandas the lead guitarist in 1996[10]until the 2006–2007 season.[11]

He produced tracks and remixes for various artists includingArrested DevelopmentandNappy Roots.[12]He released the12 "single"Wet Lapse", under the name Kasz, forRawkus Records,and remixed the theme from the filmMortal Kombat.[13]While deejaying at a house party, Gottwald met producerMax Martinand subsequently gave Martin a tour of New York clubs when Martin arrived in the city.[3]

In 2004, he co-wrote and co-produced theKelly ClarksonBillboardHot 100 number two song, "Since U Been Gone"withMax Martin[3]and provided the singer another hit in "Behind These Hazel Eyes".[14]Subsequent songs byPink,"Who Knew"and"U + Ur Hand"reached the top ten in the US.[4]He would go on to co-produce a number one forAvril Lavignewith the song "Girlfriend"as well as seven other songs on Lavigne's album. He also achieved a UK number one with the 2007 song"About You Now"for theSugababes.Gottwald contributed two songs toKaty Perry's second album,One of the Boysin 2008. USBillboardnumber one, "I Kissed a Girl"and"Hot n Cold",as well as three songs toBritney Spears' 2008 album,Circus,[4]including the title track. He also co-produced the US number one song "Right Round"byFlo Rida.His third co-production for Kelly Clarkson, "My Life Would Suck Without You"reached the top of the Hot 100 as well. In late 2009, his song forMiley Cyrus,"Party in the U.S.A.",[4]co-written byJessie J,reached number two on the chart. In December 2009,Billboardnamed him as one of the top 10 producers of the decade.[15]

In 2010, Gottwald was named Songwriter of the Year at theASCAP Pop Music Awardsand received 10 ASCAP Pop Music Awards for the year as the songwriter and publisher.[12]He had received ten Pop Music Awards from ASCAP between 2006 and 2009. He was also named to Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business, placing at number 33.[16]Gottwald's co-production for Katy Perry's "California Gurls"[4]debuted at number two on the Hot 100 and later reached number one. The second single "Teenage Dream"would follow suit. Taio Cruz's"Dynamite",[4]co-produced by Gottwald, reached number one in the UK and number two in the US. He contributed to three more top ten songs, "Magic"forB.o.B,"My First Kiss"for3OH!3,and "Take It Off"forKesha,as well as a top five song, "Your Love Is My Drug",by the latter on the Hot 100.

In 2010, he was named both the Number One Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year and Number One Producer of the Year byBillboard.[17][18]At the start of 2011,Advertising Agecalled Gottwald "the year's most successful producer and songwriter in terms of chart longevity."[19]

In 2011 Gottwald co-executive producedBritney Spears' seventh studio albumFemme FatalealongsideMax Martin.

On the week ending March 3, 2012, Gottwald's co-production for Katy Perry's "Part of Me"became the 20th song to debut atop theBillboardHot 100. He also produced Perry's single "Wide Awake",which peaked at number 2 on theBillboardHot 100, whilst topping the USPop Songschart.[20]

In October 2014, Kesha fileda lawsuitagainst Gottwald, claiming sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, civil harassment, violation of California's laws against unfair business practices, infliction of emotional distress (both intentional and negligent), and negligent retention and supervision.[21][22]Gottwald responded by filing a countersuit alleging that Kesha's lawsuit was an attempt by Kesha, her mother, and her new management firm to extort him into releasing her from her contract.[23]In June 2023, one month before the case was scheduled for trial, Kesha and Gottwald released a joint statement saying the case had reached a settlement. Both parties wished each other well, although Gottwald still denied the allegations while Kesha continued to say she could not remember everything that night.[24][25]

After the lawsuit, Gottwald has maintained a low public profile.[26]As of April 2017,he was no longer listed on the officialSony Musicwebsite[27]and later that month it was announced that he was no longer the CEO ofKemosabe Records.[28]That same year, Gottwald adopted the pseudonym Made in China.[29]He has since produced songs for artists such asTrey Songz,Ne-Yo,andBig Boi.In 2017, Gottwald began songwriting and producing for German singer-songwriterKim Petras.[30]He also produced five songs onDoja Cat's second albumHot Pink(2019), including its number one single "Say So".[31]

In 2021, Gottwald launched Amigo Records as an imprint ofRepublic Recordsand has so far signed Petras, Big Boss Vette, andJoy Oladokun.[32][33][34]The same year, he wrote and produced "Big Energy"byLattowhich won Song of the Year at the2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.[35][36]In 2022, he produced the number one song "Super Freaky Girl"byNicki Minaj.[35]Gottwald continued producing music into 2023, including collaborations with Doja Cat and others, again winning the ASCAP Pop Music Award for Songwriter of the Year in May.[35]

Lawsuit

This section is an excerpt fromKesha v. Dr. Luke.[edit]

Kesha v. Dr. Lukerefers to a series of lawsuits and countersuits between the singerKesha Rose Sebert(Kesha) and the music producer Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald (Dr. Luke). Sebert filed a civil suit against Gottwald in October 2014 for infliction of emotional distress, sex-based hate crimes and employment discrimination.[37]Gottwald filed a lawsuit inNew York Supreme Courtin which he sued Sebert and her mother,Rosemary Patricia "Pebe" Sebert,fordefamationandbreach of contract.[38][39][40]

Gottwald (Dr. Luke) has denied all of the allegations. In the legal documents filed in support of his defamation suit against Sebert (Kesha), he claims that Kesha and her mother made "defamatory statements in an attempt to extort Gottwald [Dr. Luke] into releasing Kesha from her exclusive recording agreement".[41]This New York lawsuit resulted in the staying (or a stop to the legal proceedings) of a California lawsuit where Kesha claimed Dr. Luke was liable forsexual harassment,misogyny,civil harassment, violation of California's laws against unfair business practices, infliction of emotional distress (both intentional and negligent), and negligent retention and supervision.[41]In her New York counter-claim, Kesha alleged that Dr. Luke "sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally" abused her since the beginning of their professional relationship. The suit alleged he drugged andrapedher on two occasions, made threats against Kesha and her family, and called her derogatory names.[42]

On February 19, 2016, a request made by Sebert (Kesha) for a preliminary injunction was denied.[43]Kesha appealed the decision the following month.[44]On April 6, 2016, New York Justice Shirley Kornreich, dismissed all of Kesha's counter-claims against Gottwald (Dr. Luke).[45]Kesha and her legal team appealed the injunction decision, and on June 7, 2016, Kesha was recorded in a deposition stating all the allegations' details.

On June 22, 2023, Kesha and Dr. Luke released a joint statement saying they have reached a settlement.[46]

Discography

Main article:Dr. Luke production discography

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

ASCAPPop Music Awards

  • 2010 – Songwriter of the Year (Won)[48]
  • 2011 – Songwriter of the Year (Won)[49]
  • 2023 - Songwriter of the Year (Won)[50]

iHeartRadio Music Awards

  • 2021- Producer of the Year (Nominated)[51]

Gold Derby Awards

  • 2022 - Song of the Year (Nominated)[52]
  • 2023 - Song of the Year (Nominated)[53]

References

  1. ^Winton, Richard (October 14, 2014)."Kesha sues producer, alleges years of sex abuse and forced drugging".Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2012.RetrievedOctober 14,2014.
  2. ^Powell, Jon (May 29, 2020)."Lil Wayne liberates deluxe version of 'Funeral'".REVOLT.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
  3. ^abcdefSternbergh, Adam (June 20, 2010)."The Hit Whisperer".New York.RetrievedAugust 25,2013.
  4. ^abcdefCapatides, Christina (February 22, 2016)."35 huge songs written by Kesha's former mentor Dr. Luke".CBS News.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  5. ^"Prescription Songs/Amigo Records promotes General Manager Ashlee Gibbs to Director of Operations".March 2, 2023.
  6. ^Concepcion, Mariel (January 8, 2011). "Dynamite Doc"Billboard.
  7. ^abWillman, Chris (September 3, 2010)."Dr. Luke: The Billboard Cover Story".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 19,2014.
  8. ^"Janusz Gottwald Obituary".The Berkshire Eagle.September 22, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2013.
  9. ^"Lukasz Gottwald | Biography & History".AllMusic.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
  10. ^Sternbergh, Adam (October 14, 2014)."From the Archives: New York Magazine's 2010 Dr. Luke Profile".Vulture.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  11. ^"Dr. Luke: The Man Behind Pop's Biggest Hits".NPR.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  12. ^abFennessey, Sean (May 18, 2010). "Surveying the Dr. Luke Moment: A Critical Look At Lazers, Glitter, and the Un-Sexing of America's Pop StarsArchivedMay 21, 2010, at theWayback Machine"Village Voice.
  13. ^"G-Card ManualArchivedDecember 31, 2010, at theWayback Machine".TC Electronic.p. 17. Retrieved on December 26, 2009.
  14. ^Houghton, Cillea (August 15, 2023)."The Angsty Meaning Behind Kelly Clarkson's" Behind These Hazel Eyes "".American Songwriter.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  15. ^"Billboard Charts: 2009 Hot 100 Producers".Billboard.biz.
  16. ^"Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People".Retrieved on May 28, 2010.
  17. ^Billboard Charts: 2010 Hot 100 Songwriters.Billboard.biz. Retrieved on 2012-12-07.ArchivedOctober 8, 2012, at theWayback Machine
  18. ^Billboard Charts: 2010 Hot 100 Producers.Billboard.biz. Retrieved on 2012-12-07.ArchivedFebruary 18, 2011, at theWayback Machine
  19. ^"Advertising Age".RetrievedJanuary 3,2011.
  20. ^"Katy Perry Chart History".Billboard.
  21. ^"Kesha Suing Dr. Luke for Alleged Sexual Assault & Emotional Abuse".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 4,2016.
  22. ^"Kesha Complaint".Scribd.RetrievedFebruary 4,2016.
  23. ^"Kesha -- Sues Dr. Luke for Sexual Assault and Battery".TMZ.October 14, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 4,2016.
  24. ^Cullins, Ashley (June 22, 2023)."Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Legal Battle Ahead of Trial".The Hollywood Reporter.
  25. ^Ryan, Harriet; Hamilton, Matt."What really happened between Kesha and Dr. Luke".LA Times.
  26. ^"Dr. Luke on Doja Cat's 'Kiss Me More' and Saweetie's 'Best Friend'".December 3, 2021.
  27. ^"Lukasz" Dr. Luke "Gottwald".Sony Music Entertainment.Archived from the original on February 9, 2017.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^Phillips, Amy; Yoo, Noah (April 25, 2017)."Sony Ends Dr. Luke Partnership as Kesha Battle Continues".Pitchfork.RetrievedApril 26,2017.
  29. ^Sargent, Jordan (June 8, 2018)."Ne-Yo's New Album Good Man Has Three Songs Produced by a Bad Man".Spin.RetrievedFebruary 15,2019.
  30. ^Kornhaber, Spencer (August 29, 2018)."Dr. Luke's Queasy Two-Front Comeback Effort".The Atlantic.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
  31. ^"Doja Cat's" Say So "Becomes Dr. Luke's First Top 20 Hit In 5 Years".Idolator.com.March 10, 2020.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
  32. ^"Amigo Records Corporate Filing".RetrievedFebruary 24,2022.
  33. ^He, Richard S."How Do You Solve A Problem Like Dr. Luke?".Junkee.RetrievedFebruary 24,2022.
  34. ^"Joy Oladokun Signs Joint Partnership With Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records".Enigma.April 30, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 24,2022.
  35. ^abcHiatt, Brian."How Dr. Luke Staged a Comeback in the Shadows".Rolling Stone.
  36. ^Minsker, Evan (October 5, 2022)."BET Hip Hop Awards 2022: Full Winners List".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2022.RetrievedOctober 5,2022.
  37. ^Coscarelli, Joe (April 7, 2016)."New York State Judge Rejects Kesha's Claims in Dr. Luke Case".The New York Times.RetrievedApril 7,2016.
  38. ^Puth, Charlie."Charlie Puth Talks Kesha and Dr. Luke's Legal Battle".E! Online.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  39. ^Hendicott, James (February 25, 2016)."Sony break silence on Kesha v Dr Luke case: 'Sony is not in a position to terminate the contract'".NME.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  40. ^Jagannathan, Meera (May 22, 2016)."Kesha vs. Dr. Luke and Sony: Ahead of the Billboard Music Awards, an explainer of their legal clash".New York Daily News.RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
  41. ^abMerriman, Rebecca (February 20, 2016)."Kesha's dramatic legal battle with alleged rapist Dr Luke".The Daily Mirror.
  42. ^Mejia, Paula (February 19, 2016)."What's going on with the Kesha and Dr. Luke debacle?".Newsweek.
  43. ^Ledbetter, Carly (May 18, 2016)."Judge Rules Kesha's Sexual Assault Allegations Aren't Enough To Free Her From Contract".The Huffington Post.
  44. ^Gardner, Eriq (March 21, 2016)."Kesha Appeals Judge's Denial of Dr. Luke Injunction".Billboard.
  45. ^Redden, Molly (April 6, 2016)."Judge dismisses Kesha's sexual assault case against producer Dr Luke".The Guardian.RetrievedApril 7,2016.
  46. ^Rosenbloom, Alli (June 22, 2023)."Kesha and Dr. Luke resolve years-long legal dispute".CNN.RetrievedJuly 15,2024.
  47. ^abc"Dr. Luke".Grammy Awards.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  48. ^"ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2010".Ascap.com.RetrievedMay 24,2012.
  49. ^"ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2011".Ascap.com.RetrievedMay 24,2012.
  50. ^Mier, Tomas."Dr. Luke Wins Songwriter of the Year Award Amid His Ongoing Legal Battle With Kesha".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  51. ^Fields, Taylor."2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List of Nominees".102.7 KIIS FM.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  52. ^"2022 Gold Derby Music Awards nominations list: Lil Nas X leads with 11".Gold Derby Awards.December 9, 2021.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
  53. ^"2023 Gold Derby Music Awards nominations: Taylor Swift leads with 11".Gold Derby Awards.November 30, 2022.RetrievedMay 28,2024.
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