This week's playlist highlights Ella Henderson, JoJo, and Alex Newell.

The B-Sides Letter

Ok I don't want to overpromise but for real this newsletter is CHOCK FULL of some seriously amazing ~content~ so plz just be prepared.

Here is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #2 on Spotify! Click and enjoy.

Here's another gift for you: a remix of New Romantics (Taylor Swift) and I Really Like You (Carly Rae Jepsen)! Enjoy, luvs. (And thanks, Harry!)

Love the playlist, hate it, have a comment? Let me know here.

Let's talk about Kesha and JoJo.

Many of you might know a bit of the reason why Kesha's straight shot to super-stardom was abruptly quieted. Much has already been written about it - see here for a good breakdown. But basically, Kesha was fucking exploited.

Content warning: sexual assault

Kesha was under contract to produce music with Sony, and specifically with Dr. Luke (of "Party in the USA," "I Kissed a Girl," "Since U Been Gone," and other pop hits fame). It had been clear for a few years that he was incredibly controlling of her. In 2014, she filed a lawsuit stating that he was abusive, and that he sexually assaulted her. He was controlling her and her career. She wanted to get out of her exclusive contract so that she could make music - not with him.

But it turned into a huge shitshow with countersuits and injunctions (see link above) and slut-shaming and victim-blaming and last year she lost her fight. She is still under contract with him, and can't make new music at all. She dropped her charges against Dr. Luke this past August, saying that she was exhausted and weighed down by unhappiness. I KNOW. And then, well, it only got more complicated recently as they each allege that the other owes them millions (you can guess which side I believe) (Kesha's). Emails confirming Kesha's claims have surfaced. The only bright spot in this is that a lot of other artists and celebrities spoke up in support of her, which I obviously loved. But this is a terrible story...sorry....

(On a lighter note, did you know Kesha is brilliant and amazingly talented? There is so much more to this queen.)

But wait. This didn't just happen to Kesha. Versions of this story have happened to countless other musicians, namely female artists. This happened to JoJo.

Yes, JoJo! We LOVED JoJo back in the day, when she was a child prodigy who was more insightful about love and heartbreak at 13 than any of us ever will be. And damn those vocals!! But then she disappeared. I only learned recently that she didn't disappear - she was hidden. She was stuck in a terrible contract situation with her record company. They made it impossible for her to release her third album, and because she had signed a seven-album contract with them (when she was only 12), she couldn't get out of it, or make an album with anyone else. She couldn't release anything from 2006-2016, when she finally sued them and won. TEN years! Full(er) story here and here.

But this story actually has a happy ending for the #FreeJoJo movement - our girl is free.

She came back on the scene in 2016 with a mixtape and then finally her album. I gotta say, I am SO HERE FOR IT and for her. She is amazing. Listen to the whole album (Mad Love.) and see for yourself. And follow her on social media; she's the most fun.

Both Kesha and JoJo are on today's playlist. I highlighted "Old Flames" because it's a cover of a Dolly Parton song that was originally written by Kesha’s mother.

️ I highlighted JoJo's song with Alessia Cara because it's

and because I love Alessia.

And one day we'll #FreeKesha and all the fuckin Dr. Lukes of the world will pay. Sigh...

Here, again, is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #2! (And you can also click the pic of the playlist at left.)

"New Obsession," FRANKIE -Shoutout to Aaron for suggesting FRANKIE! She is touring with Daya and I'm loving them both right now.

"Old Flames..." Kesha - This is a cover of a Dolly Parton song that Kesha's MOTHER wrote!

"Greedy," Ariana Grande - Her whole album Moonlight is an absolute gem, and this one will get you singing at the top of your lungs in inconvenient places. I think this song is about to blow up and won't be a B-Side for long. So, you're welcome basically.

"Ghost," Ella Henderson - Ok - help me out. Is this a B-Side? I LOVE this song and can't tell if people actually know it or not. Email me back if you know it or don't...I'm genuinely curious. Either way it's a jam.

"Nobody to Love," Alex Newell - This is a cover of the hook from Kanye’s “Bound 2” (which samples Ponderosa Twins Plus One) turned dance jam. For the few of you who watched “Glee” or “The Glee Project,” the artist is Unique/ Alex from the last season!!

"How we failed to protect Kesha," Jezebel
"We R Who We R" by Kesha (to remind yourself what a wonderful free spirit she is <3)
Get tickets for JoJo's tour!!! (She's coming to DC right around my bday...just saying)
Aaaaaand have you heard Lorde's new singles?? I'm obsessed!

While we're on the subject of iconic, powerful women, here's one of my favorite videos of ever:

Stevie Nicks singing an early version of "Wild Heart" backstage

She is literally a queen! The pure joy in this video is so infectious. It starts in earnest around 0:22.

Nina says:

"also aaron carter supported trump and then rescinded his support, what's up with him?

"also, what would a modern version of aaron carter's 'that's how i beat shaq' look like? zedd singing 'that's how i beat steph curry'? i don't know, i don't know who zedd is.

"obviously lindsay lohan is a leftist but where does hillary duff fall politically? did you know her piece of shit hockey player husband is a violent abuser? i'm sorry to end with that. here's wilson phillips."

I feel you Nina, thank you for your brutally honest questioning. Honestly I am still trying to figure out who Steph Curry is, but there was a reference to him on "Side To Side" by Ariana ft. Nicki so I am learning that he is talented and important. Speaking of, I love Hilary (one "L," never forget) and will support her through almost any bad decisions including but not limited to getting roped into weird incest drama. I will not, however, support her in any Conservative efforts - that's where I draw the line - so please continue to investigate and let me know what you discover.

What's on your mind? Email listentothebsides@gmail.com or comment on insta.

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