In a move aimed at redistributing creative power within the music industry, multi-platinum pop disruptor Kesha has launched SMASH, a new collaborative platform designed to put autonomy and ownership back into the hands of music creators. Built to serve producers, vocalists, songwriters, and engineers alike, SMASH promises a safe, supportive ecosystem where artists can connect, collaborate, and—crucially—retain the rights to the work they create, without any contracts with invisible fine print and gatekeeping execs.
“My goal is to shift the power structure of the music making business in favor of the creators,” said Kesha in a statement. “I signed a predatory deal when I was 18 and then spent more than a decade fighting to regain rights to my voice and image. When I finally gained my freedom I realized the fight wasn’t over. I want to make sure what happened to me never happens to anyone else again.”
The platform, now live at smashmusic.io, was co-founded by Kesha alongside tech veteran CTO Alan Cannistraro (former Apple and Facebook engineer) and COO Lagan Sebert. The trio, alongside a team of top music industry and tech veterans, brings together decades of combined experience from both the entertainment and tech worlds, aiming to rewire the gatekeeper-heavy structure of the music business.
SMASH isn’t just another networking app; it features integrated contracting, a remote collaboration studio, and a talent marketplace. “SMASH is where any music creator can find their musical tribe and create their own…SMASH,” the platform states.
To celebrate the launch, the team is kicking things off with a remix challenge for Kesha’s newest and “unapologetically sexy” party anthem, “BOY CRAZY”. The stems for the song will be made available exclusively to creators who sign up for the SMASH email list. The best remix, selected personally by Kesha, will see an official release later this summer via Kesha Records.
The release of SMASH coincides with a big summer ahead for Kesha, who will drop her long-awaited new album, simply titled “. (PERIOD)”, on July 4—fittingly, Independence Day. She’ll support the record with her largest tour to date: The Tits Out Tour, produced by Live Nation and presented by Feeld. The North American run kicks off July 1 in Utah and includes stops at major venues like LA’s Kia Forum and NYC’s Madison Square Garden.
Cannistraro, who played a key role in building Apple’s original app ecosystem and later Facebook’s mobile-first features, brings deep experience in product architecture. His background as a musician and DJ adds personal resonance to his new role. Sebert, a longtime content strategist and community builder, has previously worked with brands like Google, Apple, and Meta and co-founded the award-winning global production network, Hometeam.
While still in its early days, SMASH is clearly aimed at redefining how music is made and who controls it—an increasingly urgent question in the age of streaming, AI tools, and hyper-digital collaboration.
For more info or to enter the remix challenge, visit www.smashmusic.io.
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