Why musicians are tweeting to #FreeKesha

In October 2014, pop star Kesha sued her producer Luke "Dr. Luke" Gottwald for "sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, unfair business practices, and infliction of emotional distress."

The ensuing 16 months of legal battles included a countersuit from Dr. Luke for breach of contract, an indefinite delay for any new music from Kesha, and a growing fan campaign that's pleading her record label Sony to "#freeKesha" from her contract with Dr. Luke. The contract states that she's supposed to make no less than six new albums under Dr. Luke's purview.

On February 19, New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich rejected Kesha's request for a preliminary injunction to get out of her contract, meaning she will have to keep working with — or at least alongside — Dr. Luke at Sony. According to BuzzFeed's Mary Georgantopoulos, Justice Kornreich stated that "there has been no showing of irreparable harm. [Kesha]'s being given opportunity to record."

The case itself is complicated, especially thanks to Kesha's corporate obligations dating back to when Dr. Luke signed her when she was 18. Dr. Luke also has deep ties within Sony, and he's made monster hits with pop stars like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus.

But within hours of the February 19 ruling, members of the music community were pledging their support for Kesha.

The piece de resistance came from Kelly Clarkson, whose 2004 smash hit "Since U Been Gone" was co-written by none other than Dr. Luke:

Which linked to Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast's more blunt reaction:

With so much at stake, it's significant that these prominent musicians are speaking out in support of Kesha over Sony. Keep an eye on this case; it's not going anywhere any time soon.