| Warrior | ||||
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&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Kesha_Warrior.jpeg) Standard edition cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 30, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | January–August 2012 | |||
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| Length | 44:27 | |||
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| Kesha chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Warrior | ||||
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Warrior is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kesha, released on November 30, 2012, by Kemosabe and RCA Records. Its music incorporates a wide range of genres, including pop, EDM, rock, punk, rap, country, and folk. Kesha described the album as more personal than her previous material in addition to mentioning it was her attempt at reviving the rock genre, calling it a "cock pop" record. Its theme is said to be magic.
Writing for Warrior began in late 2011 and ended in early 2012, with recording taking place from January through August 2012. Kesha wrote the majority of the album while touring internationally and during her spiritual journey. Contributions to the album's production came from longtime collaborators Dr. Luke (who was also the executive producer of the project), Max Martin, Shellback, Ammo and Benny Blanco. It features guest vocals from American rock singer Iggy Pop, who has been cited as a major influence on the album, as well as writing contributions from Nate Ruess from American indie rock trio Fun, American rapper will.i.am, American singer-songwriter Bonnie McKee, the Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, American rock bands the Strokes and the Flaming Lips and Kesha's own mother, Pebe Sebert. Upon its release, Warrior received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended its rock-influenced material, lyrical content, and collaborations, whilst others criticized its use of Auto-Tune and formulaic content. The album reached number six on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, while also charting in Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other countries. The album has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album's lead single "Die Young" achieved commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, while also charting in multiple countries worldwide. "C'Mon" initially served as a promotional single, and peaked at number 27 in the US after its release as the album's second single. An acoustic extended play (EP), Deconstructed (2012), was released exclusively through Kesha's website to promote the fan edition of the album and features rerecorded songs from her previous releases as well as a cover of "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (1980) by American country recording artist Dolly Parton and cowritten by Kesha's mother, Pebe. "Crazy Kids" was released as the third and final single from Warrior. In total, the album spawned three Top 40 hits in the US, Canada, and Australia. To promote the album, Kesha embarked on two concert tours: the first was the North American Tour 2013, coheadlined with American rapper Pitbull, and the second one was the Warrior Tour (2013–2015).