It is hard to imagine being as tough as Kesha.

Since 2012, the singer has been unable to record and release new music due to an ongoing legal battle with her producer Dr. Luke. Kesha alleged that over a ten year period she had been verbally, emotionally and sexually abused by Dr. Luke and stated she would no longer record with him. An extremely tumultuous public battle took place, but Kesha would not be silenced on the matter and continued to refuse to reenter the studio until she was no longer required to work with her alleged abuser.

It’s only now, five years later, that she is able to let us hear what she’s been working on. Dr. Luke was removed as CEO of Kemosabe Records and Kesha was allowed to record without him. And if it is hard to imagine being as tough as Kesha, it is even harder to imagine the relief and triumph she felt when she finally debuted the live version of her song “Woman,” her first track without Dr. Luke.

On July 20th, Kesha announced the new track while openly crying, her fans cheering her on in response. “I just wanna say thank you, guys,” she said. She then launched into her performance of the country-themed party song that celebrates being a free woman, which includes the very telling lyric “I write this sh*t, baby, I write this sh*t.”

Subtle? Nah, Kesha isn’t about to bother with subtle, she also performed a cover of the Leslie Gore classic “You Don’t Own Me” at the same gig. And honestly, why should she waste time with being subtle? She’s waited and fought long enough for this. Kesha’s free, and the world better be ready for her.