Kesha Wrote a Letter to Dr. Luke About Her Now-Canceled 'Billboard' Music Awards Performance: 'She Told Him It Wasn't About Him At All,' Says Source

Dick clark productions tells PEOPLE Kemosabe rescinded its initial approval allowing the singer to perform at the annual awards show

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Kesha. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Kesha was set to perform at the Billboard Music Awards this weekend, but her ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke and his record label Kemosabe Records may bar her from taking the stage.

“Kesha wrote a statement to Luke yesterday and told him the performance wasn’t about him at all,” a source close to the singer tells PEOPLE exclusively. “He had a full day to consider, but still wouldn’t allow her to perform.”

However, another source denies the allegation, calling the letter “an urban myth.”

According to dick clark productions, “Kesha accepted an invitation to perform on the show and she received written approval from Dr. Luke’s record label, Kemosabe Records,” the production company tells PEOPLE in a statement.

What You Need to Know About Kesha’s Lawsuit

“Kemosabe subsequently rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday, May 11 regarding Kesha’s appearance on the BBMAs. Unfortunately, Kesha and Kemosabe have since been unable to come to an agreement for Kesha to perform on the show,” the statement continues. “Dick clark productions has a long standing relationship with Kesha. We hope that the parties can come to an arrangement such that we can continue that long standing relationship with a performance by Kesha on the Billboard Music Awards stage on May 22.”

“I was very excited to perform a tribute to Bob Dylan by singing a cover of ‘It ain’t me, babe’ at the Billboard awards this year,” Kesha wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “I’m very sad and sorry to say I won’t be allowed to do this. I just wanted to make very clear that this performance was about me honoring one of my favorite songwriters of all time and has never had anything at all to do with Dr. Luke. I was never going to use a picture of him, speak of him or allude to my legal situation in any way.”

“I simply wanted to sing a song I love to honor an artist I have always looked up to. thank u all for the continued support,” she continued.

The singer is currently embroiled in a legal battle with her former producer, whom she claims sexually abused her for years. Dr. Luke has continually denied her allegations, and a New York court dismissed most of the charges in her case against him.

A rep for Dr. Luke isn’t commenting.

The Billboard Music Awards airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

With reporting by JEFF NELSON

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