Kesha has performed the song she planned to sing on stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday (18.05.16) night.
The 29-year-old singer had intended to give a performance of Bob Dylan’s ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ at the upcoming ceremony but was forced to pull out of the music extravaganza, which takes place on May 22, after Dr Luke’s label Kemosabe records "rescinded its approval" for her to take to the stage following concerns she’d speak out about their legal battle.
But Kesha still had chance to sing the song as on Wednesday, she joined Ben Folds and Y Music at the Orpheum in Los Angeles for an orchestral rendition of the track and later joined her friend for performances of ‘Still Fighting It’ and ‘Rock This Bitch’, which segued into Kesha’s own song ‘Sleazy’.
Taking to Instagram after the show, she thanked Ben for being a good friend.
She wrote: "Thanks for believing in me.
"Thanks for ur records that got me through high school. Thanks for being a genius composer. Thanks for being nice when we work together. Thanks for letting me play a Bob Dylan cover with you. Thanks for being a good friend in this scary business."
It’s believed Dr Luke – whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald – changed his mind about releasing the rights to her music for the performance because he was convinced she would name-drop him or subtly reference their ongoing feud.
But after learning she had been banned from performing at the ceremony, Kesha insisted she had no intention of bringing up the long-running court case and was merely interested in sharing her love of music.
Taking to her Instagram account on Tuesday (17.05.16), she wrote: "I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of ‘It ain’t me, babe’ at the Billboard awards this year. I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this.
"I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke.
"I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way. I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support. (sic)"
Meanwhile, Kesha was unsuccessful with her legal bid to scrap her contract with Kemosabe Records earlier this year.
She has now been asked to testify under oath about the allegations she has made against the 42-year-old record producer, who has denied all claims against him.
She was issued a subpoena to be questioned in an on-camera deposition in New York City in June.
Kesha performs Bob Dylan track
