Kesha Celebrates 15 Years of ‘TiK ToK’ as She Confirms She’s Permanently Changing the Song’s Diddy Lyric

The “Joyride” singer credits Reneé Rapp for the new line

Kesha performs at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024. PHOTO: JOSH BRASTED/FILMMAGIC

Kesha is making a permanent change to her debut single.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the singer confirmed on social media that she is changing the first line of her 2010 hit single “TiK ToK” to send a powerful message to Sean “Diddy” Combs amid his ongoing sexual abuse and sex trafficking allegations and lawsuits.

In the original song, Kesha, now 37, sings, “Wake up in the morning’ feeling like P. Diddy,” while alluding to living a carefree lifestyle.

She recently put a twist on the lyrics while performing at Coachella with Reneé Rapp, instead singing, “Wake up in the morning feeling like, f— P. Diddy!”

Now, the “Joyride” singer says she’s permanently changing the lyrics — and is giving Rapp credit.

“TiK ToK was the first single that I put into this world that had my voice AND my name credited,” Kesha wrote in the caption while sharing a set of throwback photos. “I remember making it fun and happy because that’s how I felt and wanted others to feel.”

Noting that the song was released 15 years ago, the singer said it reminds her of how she viewed the world at the time. “That girl was naïve and wild and playful. This song eternalizes a side of myself that I love very much, and now see I have to protect fiercely. The world has changed so much and so have I,” she added.

“I absolutely love the new lyric change,” the pop star continued, giving Repp a mention. “Yes it is permanent.”

Kesha and Reneé Rapp perform at Coachella in April 2024.EMMA MCINTYRE/GETTY IMAGES FOR COACHELLA

Kesha continued to share that she will re-record the song once she has the legal rights to do so. “Now, my first baby stands for so much. It stands for fiercely protecting my fun and unadulterated joy, in myself and in others,” she said.

Upon the song’s release, it spent nine weeks in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. To date, she has had five songs on the chart with “TiK ToK” charting the longest.

Last November, Kesha changed the aforementioned lyrics in a more PG-manner while at a tour stop. “Wake up in the morning feeling just like me,” she sang, in place of mentioning the rapper.

Combs made headlines that same month, when his ex Cassie filed a bombshell lawsuit against him, claiming he raped and sex trafficked her over the course of an abusive 10 years.

The complaint was resolved to their “mutual satisfaction” a day later, however, more people have since come forward with allegations of abuse, sex trafficking and gang rape.

The rapper and his legal representation have denied the allegations, as well as a cause for concern after his properties were raided by federal agents in March. “There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name,” his attorney Aaron Dyer said in a statement at the time.

Meanwhile, Kesha has been enjoying her newfound freedom after settling her long legal battle with producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald in June 2023. The two agreed to resolve the defamation lawsuit out of court ahead of its scheduled trial – nearly 10 years after the singer first sued the producer and accused him of sexual, emotional and physical abuse

She released her first single as an independent artist – called “Joyride” – in July.