US pop star Kesha accuses her producer of rape

Pop singer Kesha has accused renowned music producer Dr. Luke of rape in a civil lawsuit that claims he forced her to "take drugs and alcohol in order to take advantage of her sexually while she was intoxicated."

The 41-year-old producer, who has also helped create hits for Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, countersued, accusing Kesha, 27, and her mother, Pebe Sebert, of defamation, breach of contract and contractual interference.

Kesha, who has scored No. 1 US hits Tik Tok and We R Who We R with Dr. Luke, has been under contract to record for his music production company and record label since 2005.

Kesha's lawsuit accuses Dr. Luke of drugging and raping the singer and threatening her career if she told anyone about it. It also alleges that the producer's insults to her appearance caused her to develop bulimia.

She says she wants to terminate her record contract with the hit-making producer, while Dr. Luke, whose legal name is Lukasz Gottwald, accuses Kesha and her mother of orchestrating a campaign to publish "false and shocking accusations" against him to extort him into letting the singer out of her contract.

Kesha's lawyer, Mark Geragos, said Dr. Luke's suit "has no basis in fact, the law or reality."

"This lawsuit is a wholehearted effort by Kesha to regain control of her music career and her personal freedom after suffering for 10 years as a victim of mental manipulation, emotional abuse and sexual assault at the hands of Dr. Luke," Geragoras said.

Dr. Luke's lawsuit, which also names the singer's manager and management company asks for a jury trial and unspecified damages.