Pop star Kesha has dropped sexual assault claims against producer Dr Luke in California, but she will continue to pursue a similar case in New York.

The move comes amid an effort to revive her music career despite her high-profile battle with her former mentor since she accused him of drugging, sexually abusing and emotionally tormenting her.

She is signed to his record label and they co-wrote many of her hits together, including Tik Tok and We R Who We R.

Dr Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, has denied the allegations and accused Kesha of suing to try to obtain a better record deal.

Kesha's lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, said the dismissal was filed so she can focus her legal efforts in New York.


He said she has delivered 28 new songs to Dr Luke's record label and Sony Music Entertainment.

Image: Dr Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald

"We have conveyed to Sony and the label Kesha's strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible," he said.

Kesha is appealing against two rulings in New York that prevented her from breaking her contract with Dr Luke's label, and that dismissed her claims of sexual and emotional abuse.

"If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them," Dr Luke's lawyer, Christine Lepera, said.

"Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr Luke in any court."

He has sued the singer for defamation, and that case is still pending.

Kesha first sued Dr Luke in October 2014, alleging his abuse caused her to develop a severe eating disorder that required her to go into rehab.