Record producerAmericanSinger-songwriterPop music

Dr. Luke

Dr. Luke is an American music producer and songwriter known for pop hits and a legal dispute with Kesha.

1. Overview

Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald (Łukasz Sebastian GottwaldLukash Sebastian GottwaldPolish) (born September 26, 1973), professionally known as Dr. Luke, and also by pseudonyms Tyson Trax and Made in China, is an American music producer, songwriter, and musician. He is widely recognized for his significant commercial success in the pop music industry, often earning him the moniker "hit song vending machine" due to his prolific output of chart-topping tracks.

Gottwald began his professional music career in 1996 as the lead guitarist for the Saturday Night Live Band. He rose to prominence in 2004 by co-producing Kelly Clarkson's hit single "Since U Been Gone" with Max Martin. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, he became one of the most influential producers in pop music, collaborating with numerous major artists including Pink, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Kim Petras, and Latto. His work has garnered extensive industry recognition, including being named one of the top producers of the 2000s by Billboard and receiving multiple Songwriter and Producer of the Year awards from the ASCAP.

In addition to his production work, Gottwald founded two record labels, Kemosabe Records and Amigo Records, signing artists such as Kesha, Doja Cat, and Kim Petras. His career has also been marked by a high-profile legal dispute with artist Kesha, which involved allegations of abuse and employment discrimination. The case, known as Kesha v. Dr. Luke, was settled out of court in June 2023.

2. Early Life and Education

Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald's early life and education laid the foundation for his future career in music, characterized by a self-taught approach to instruments and a formal musical education.

2.1. Birth and Upbringing

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Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald was born on September 26, 1973, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is of Jewish heritage. His father, Janusz Jerzy Gottwald, was an architect born in Łask, Poland.
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Gottwald spent many of his formative years growing up in New York City.
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From a young age, he had an interest in music, initially aspiring to be a drummer. However, his parents did not permit a drum kit in their home. At the age of 13, he picked up his older sister's guitar and began teaching himself how to play. As a teenager, Gottwald developed a unique learning method, repeatedly listening to music, even if he considered it "bad," to meticulously analyze and understand the guitar parts he admired.

2.2. Education

Gottwald attended the Manhattan School of Music for two years, further developing his musical skills and understanding. Despite this formal training, much of his early musical development was self-taught, particularly his proficiency with the guitar.

3. Career

Lukasz Gottwald's career evolved from a session musician to one of the most influential and commercially successful record producers in contemporary pop music. His journey includes a significant tenure with a prominent television band, a rapid ascent through the music industry with a string of major hits, and ventures into record label management.

3.1. Early Career and SNL Band

Gottwald began his professional music career in 1996 when he joined the Saturday Night Live Band as their lead guitarist. He remained with the band for ten seasons, departing after the 2006-2007 season. During his time with the band, he also started producing tracks and remixes for various artists, including notable acts like Bon Jovi, Gravediggaz, Arrested Development, and Nappy Roots. He released a 12-inch single titled "Wet Lapse" under the pseudonym Kasz for Rawkus Records and remixed the theme song from the 1995 film Mortal Kombat. A pivotal moment in his early career occurred when he met Swedish record producer Max Martin while deejaying at a house party, subsequently giving Martin a tour of New York clubs. This meeting would prove instrumental in his future collaborations.

3.2. Rise to Prominence and Major Collaborations (2000s)

Gottwald's career gained significant momentum in the mid-2000s, leading to a rapid rise as a highly sought-after producer and songwriter, marked by numerous collaborations with major pop artists.

3.2.1. Breakthrough with Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and Avril Lavigne

In 2004, Gottwald achieved his breakthrough by co-writing and co-producing the Kelly Clarkson single "Since U Been Gone" with Max Martin, which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. He also contributed to another hit for Clarkson, "Behind These Hazel Eyes". Following this success, he produced several top-ten hits for Pink, including "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand". In 2007, he co-produced the number one song "Girlfriend" for Avril Lavigne, contributing to seven other songs on Lavigne's album. That same year, he also achieved a UK number one hit with "About You Now" for the Sugababes.

3.2.2. Success with Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and others

Gottwald's influence continued to expand with significant contributions to the careers of other prominent artists. In 2008, he contributed two songs to Katy Perry's second album, One of the Boys: the US Billboard number one hit "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold". He also produced three songs for Britney Spears' 2008 album, Circus, including its title track. His production work extended to "Right Round" by Flo Rida, which also topped the US charts. In 2009, his third co-production for Kelly Clarkson, "My Life Would Suck Without You", reached the top of the Hot 100. Later that year, his song for Miley Cyrus, "Party in the U.S.A.", co-written by Jessie J, peaked at number two on the chart. By December 2009, Billboard recognized him as one of the top 10 producers of the decade.

3.3. Continued Success and Collaborations (2010s Onward)

The 2010s saw Gottwald continue his prolific output, solidifying his position as a dominant force in pop music with a consistent stream of chart-topping hits and collaborations with new and established artists.

3.3.1. Kesha, Miley Cyrus, and early 2010s hits

In 2010, Gottwald was honored as Songwriter of the Year at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards and received 10 ASCAP Pop Music Awards for his work as a songwriter and publisher, adding to the ten Pop Music Awards he had already received from ASCAP between 2006 and 2009. He was also recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business, ranking at number 33.

His collaborations with Katy Perry continued to yield major hits, including "California Gurls" and "Teenage Dream", both of which debuted high on the Hot 100 and subsequently reached number one. He also co-produced Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", a number one hit in the UK and number two in the US. Gottwald contributed to three more top-ten songs: "Magic" for B.o.B, "My First Kiss" for 3OH!3, and "Take It Off" for Kesha, as well as Kesha's top-five hit "Your Love Is My Drug" on the Hot 100. Other notable early 2010s productions included Kesha's "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R", both reaching number one, and "Blow" which hit the top ten. He also produced Britney Spears' "Till the World Ends" and Flo Rida's "Good Feeling", both top ten hits.

In 2010, Billboard named him both the Number One Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year and Number One Producer of the Year. By early 2011, Advertising Age hailed Gottwald as "the year's most successful producer and songwriter in terms of chart longevity." In 2011, he co-executive produced Britney Spears' seventh studio album Femme Fatale alongside Max Martin. In March 2012, his co-production for Katy Perry's "Part of Me" became the 20th song to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. He also produced Perry's single "Wide Awake", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Pop Songs chart. His extensive list of collaborators during this period also included T.I., Rihanna, Shakira, Sabi, Adam Lambert, and Cher Lloyd.

3.3.2. Recent Activities (Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Kim Petras, etc.)

Following a period of lower public profile after legal challenges, Gottwald has continued to produce music, working with a new generation of artists and maintaining his relevance in the industry. He adopted the pseudonym Made in China in 2017. He has since produced songs for artists such as Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, and Big Boi. In 2017, Gottwald began songwriting and producing for German singer-songwriter Kim Petras. In 2019, he produced five songs on Doja Cat's second album Hot Pink, including its number one single "Say So". He also produced Doja Cat's "Kiss Me More", which was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

In 2021, he wrote and produced "Big Energy" by Latto, which won Song of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. In 2022, he produced the number one song "Super Freaky Girl" by Nicki Minaj. Gottwald continued producing music into 2023, including further collaborations with Doja Cat, and once again won the ASCAP Pop Music Award for Songwriter of the Year in May.

3.4. Record Label Founding and Operations

Gottwald expanded his presence in the music industry by founding and operating his own record labels. He is the founder of both Kemosabe Records and Amigo Records. Through Kemosabe Records, Gottwald signed artists such as Kesha, Doja Cat, Becky G, Juicy J, R. City, and Lil Bibby. In 2021, he launched Amigo Records as an imprint of Republic Records. Amigo Records has signed artists including Kim Petras, Big Boss Vette, and Joy Oladokun. He also owns two publishing companies: Kasz Money Publishing, which handles his own songs, and Prescription Songs, which employs other songwriters.

3.5. Pseudonyms and Other Ventures

Throughout his career, Lukasz Gottwald has used various professional pseudonyms. While primarily known as Dr. Luke, he has also worked under the names Tyson Trax and Made in China. He adopted the "Made in China" pseudonym in 2017, after the widely publicized lawsuit. Beyond his direct production and songwriting, Gottwald's ventures include his ownership of publishing companies such as Kasz Money Publishing and Prescription Songs.

4. Musical Style and Influence

Lukasz Gottwald's musical style is characterized by a distinctive approach to pop production that has significantly influenced the sound of contemporary hit music. He is often referred to as a "hit song vending machine" in the industry, a testament to his consistent ability to craft commercially successful tracks. His productions are known for their polished, radio-friendly sound, often featuring infectious melodies, strong rhythmic foundations, and a blend of electronic and pop elements. Gottwald has played a crucial role in shaping the sound of numerous successful artists, helping them achieve mainstream appeal and chart dominance. His collaborations with artists like Katy Perry, Kesha, and Doja Cat demonstrate his versatility in adapting his production techniques to suit different vocal styles and artistic visions, while consistently delivering high-energy, catchy pop anthems.

6. Awards and Nominations

Lukasz Gottwald has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, recognizing his significant contributions as a producer and songwriter in the music industry.

Grammy Awards

  • 2011 - Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (Nominated)
  • 2011 - Album of the Year (Teenage Dream) (Nominated)
  • 2014 - Song of the Year ("Roar") (Nominated)
  • 2014 - Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (Nominated)
  • 2021 - Record of the Year ("Say So") (Nominated)
  • 2022 - Album of the Year (Planet Her (Deluxe)) (Nominated)
  • 2022 - Song of the Year ("Kiss Me More") (Nominated)
  • 2022 - Best Rap Song ("Best Friend") (Nominated)

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

  • 2009 - Songwriter of the Year (Won)
  • 2010 - Songwriter of the Year (Won)
  • 2011 - Songwriter of the Year (Won)
  • 2023 - Songwriter of the Year (Won)

iHeartRadio Music Awards

  • 2021 - Producer of the Year (Nominated)

7. Assessment and Controversy

Lukasz Gottwald's career is marked by both extraordinary commercial achievements and significant controversies that have impacted his public perception and professional trajectory.

7.1. Commercial Success

Gottwald's commercial success is extensive and widely recognized within the music industry. He has been instrumental in producing a remarkable number of chart-topping hits for various artists, earning him the nickname "hit song vending machine." As of January 2011, he had garnered 21 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the producer with the third most such hits since the chart's inception. Billboard named him one of the top performing producers of the 2000s, and he was also recognized as both the Number One Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year and Number One Producer of the Year by Billboard in 2010. In early 2011, Advertising Age lauded him as "the year's most successful producer and songwriter in terms of chart longevity." His productions have consistently achieved high sales figures and critical recognition, solidifying his reputation as a hitmaker capable of consistently delivering commercially successful music across different artists and eras.

7.2. Criticisms and Controversies

The most prominent criticism and controversy surrounding Lukasz Gottwald's career stems from the legal dispute with artist Kesha. In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against him, alleging sexual assault, battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and emotional distress. These allegations led to a highly publicized legal battle that drew significant attention to issues of abuse and misconduct within the music industry.

While a California court dismissed Kesha's sexual assault claims in 2016 following a testimony video, and the overall case was settled out of court in June 2023, the allegations had a profound impact on Gottwald's career and public image. After the lawsuit became public, he maintained a lower public profile. His professional affiliations were also affected; as of April 2017, he was no longer listed on the official Sony Music website, and it was announced that he was no longer the CEO of Kemosabe Records. Despite the settlement, where Gottwald continued to deny the allegations, Kesha maintained her stance regarding the events, indicating the lasting nature of the controversy and its ethical dimensions in public perception.