Year in Music: The Slow Road to Music’s #MeToo Moment
The #MeToo movement has profoundly affected the film and TV industries, and accused men who try to restart their careers are often met with disdain. In music, such men seem to have an easier time.
By Hanif Abdurraqib
When Kesha performed at the Grammy Awards in January, Janelle Monáe introduced her by talking about the Time’s Up movement: “It’s not just going on in Hollywood, it’s not just going on in Washington [D.C.], it’s right here in our industry as well.” Kesha — backed by Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Andra Day and others, all wearing white — sang “Praying,” her anthem that centered on her yearslong legal battle with former producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. “Praying” was a triumphant reclamation of the singer’s power and narrative, and among fans and on social media, it felt as if a wave of change might finally be coming to the music biz.
The #MeToo movement has profoundly affected the film and TV industries, and accused men who try to restart their careers are often met with disdain (e.g., Louis C.K.). In music, such men seem to have an easier time of it. In 2017, three years after Kesha leveled her accusations against him, Gottwald co-produced pop sensation Kim…
