Pop icon Kesha is making waves beyond the stage with the launch of Smash, a new tech platform designed to shift power back into the hands of music creators. Launched in May 2025, Smash helps artists connect, collaborate, and protect their rights—all while maintaining full ownership of their work.
Aimed squarely at disrupting outdated industry models, Smash combines elements of a creator marketplace and professional networking tool. Within 72 hours of launch, more than 50,000 creators joined the waitlist, highlighting strong demand and Kesha’s cultural influence.
Kesha’s drive to launch Smash is rooted in personal history. At 18, she signed a restrictive record deal that led to years of legal battles over creative control—conflicts that reportedly cost her over $50 million. That experience now powers a mission: to help others avoid the same fate.
Smash’s core offering allows songwriters, producers, engineers, and performers to work together safely. Artists can search for collaborators, manage projects, and get paid—without giving up their rights. Its design reflects a growing industry trend: a 2024 survey found 83% of independent artists now prioritize rights retention over traditional label support.
AI Matching, Smart Contracts, and Rights by Design
Behind the scenes, Smash is powered by a modern tech stack and forward-thinking infrastructure. CTO Alan Cannistraro, formerly of Apple and Facebook, has built a platform that uses AI algorithms to match creators based on style, experience, and project needs. The platform processes over 15 collaboration variables, including genre, gear, and past work.
Even more groundbreaking: Smash automates royalty splits using smart contracts and blockchain IP tracking, ensuring transparency from the start. This is a major leap for the music-tech sector, where creators have long struggled with fair compensation and vague credit attribution.
The mobile app, built on React Native and hosted on a secure serverless AWS backend, is designed to scale rapidly and integrate with tools like Kesha’s independent label, Kesha Records.
To generate buzz and showcase the platform’s capabilities, Smash launched with a remix contest for Kesha’s latest single, “BOY CRAZY.” Registered users receive the original track stems and have one week to submit remixes. The winning version will be released through Kesha Records, giving emerging talent direct industry exposure.
Smash blends networking and marketplace features, which Kesha calls “LinkedIn meets Fiverr for music creators.” It offers verified profiles, built-in contracting tools, and a payment system that streamlines the business side of creativity.
What sets Smash apart is its creator-first rights management. Smart contracts and blockchain tech provide tamper-proof records of contributions and automate royalty distribution. It’s the first mainstream platform to deliver that level of protection in music collaboration.
A New Standard for the Creator Economy?
Smash enters a fast-growing but fragmented space. Competitors like SoundBetter and BandLab offer parts of the puzzle—but none combine verified discovery, secure collaboration, and full rights protection in one ecosystem. Smash aims to set that new standard.
VC interest reflects this potential. Though details of the seed round remain private, insiders suggest interest from WndrCo, known for backing Mixcloud’s expansion, and artist-backed funds like The Weeknd’s Blue Icon Group. Kesha is also an investor herself.
According to industry analysts, even a small slice of the $528 billion global creator economy or the $2.97 billion music business software market could make Smash a dominant player—especially with its subscription model and plans to license rights management tools to festivals and indie labels.
Smash’s 2025 roadmap includes:
- Public beta launch
- NFT-based royalty splits
- Integration with Kesha Records A&R pipeline
- Predictive analytics for talent scouting by 2026
- Partnerships with film, TV, and sync agencies to extend IP tools into new markets
Smash isn’t just a startup—it’s a statement of values. As Kesha says, “This isn’t just about music — it’s about building the creative middle class.” For artists caught between access and autonomy, Smash offers both.
In a world where creator control is often an afterthought, the Kesha Smash platform is rewriting the rules—onstage and in the code.
