Metal guitars have officially gone mainstream – as pop star Kesha is the latest to don a Jackson Rhoads model

(Image credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

Now, pop star Kesha can be added to that list as she’s marked her return with a Jackson, specifically a Jackson Pro Series Rhoads RRT-3. This eye-catching choice for a pop act is Kesha through and through, as the artist has previously donned Gibson Explorers, Les Pauls, and even a sparkly purple Fender Starcaster.

Opting for a guitar as bold as the Jackson Rhoads also served as a way for Kesha to celebrate the release of her sixth album, . (pronounced as Period), which she describes as “the first album I’ve made where I felt truly free.”

It’s the first album she’s released under her own label, and also the first since being embroiled in a nearly 10-year legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke.

And for added rock cred, Kesha recently guested at the kickoff show of Sammy Hagar’s Las Vegas residency, during which she joined the former Van Halen frontman and Michael Anthony on Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.

In more Jackson (and pointy guitar) news, the guitar brand, alongside British metalcore stalwarts Malevolence, recently unveiled a stunning, one-of-a-kind, World of Warcraft-inspired axe at Download Festival.

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Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.