(NewsNation) — Kesha has promised to rerecord her hit party song “Tik Tok” as soon as she is legally able to, removing a reference to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is facing multiple lawsuits alleging sexual assault and abuse.
It’s been 15 years since the song, Kesha’s breakthrough single, hit the airwaves with the original line, “Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy.” Kesha debuted the new version at Coachella, singing, “Wake up in the morning like ‘F—- P. Diddy.'”
“TiK ToK was the first single that I put into this world that had my voice AND my name credited!!!! I remember making it fun and happy because that’s how I felt and wanted others to feel. What I’m so proud of is that’s how this song STILL makes me feel, through it all, and those are emotions I want all of us to connect to. 15 (!!!!!!) years later,” the singer said on social media.
Kesha co-wrote the song with Benny Blanco and Dr. Luke, who she had a yearslong legal battle with, alleging the producer and label owner sexually assaulted and abused her. She finally left the label in 2023.
Combs has also been accused of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking in a number of civil lawsuits. Federal agents have also raided his homes, and a video surfaced of Combs abusing his then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
“Tik Tok” gave Kesha her first Billboard No. 1 hit, and the singer continues to perform the party anthem at concerts as she takes her career in new directions. On X, she said the song was a snapshot of who she was at the time, “naive and wild and playful.”
“I hope you all can find 3 1/2 minutes of play in this song and connect with your wild child-like joy,” she wrote.
Kesha will not be the only singer to rerecord a song after leaving a label to take back control of her music.
Taylor Swift undercut her old record label following its purchase by Kanye West’s manager, who she accused of bullying her on social media. The singer issued “Taylor’s Version” of her old albums, reclaiming her work.
Kesha is only rerecording one song, but she told fans she would protect the new version fiercely.
“I will rerecord it when I have legal rights to! Now, my first baby stands for so much. It stands for fiercely protecting my fun and unadulterated joy, in myself and in others,” Kesha said.