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Dr. Luke

Dr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dr. Luke is the professional name of Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald, an American songwriter, record producer, and musician born on September 26, 1973, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is known for his work on numerous pop hits for artists including Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kesha, and for his use of additional aliases such as Tyson Trax and Made in China.

Early life and identity

Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald was born in 1973 in Providence, Rhode Island, and performs professionally as Dr. Luke. Public sources also identify him by the aliases Tyson Trax and Made in China.

Music career

Dr. Luke became prominent in pop music as a producer and co-writer of hit singles in the 2000s and 2010s. He is associated with songs for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kesha, and Miley Cyrus.

Selected works and collaborations

His best-known credits include "Since U Been Gone," "Girlfriend," "Circus," "Hot n Cold," and "Tik Tok." He has worked across mainstream pop and collaborated with a wide range of recording artists.

Public profile

Dr. Luke’s career has been widely discussed in entertainment media and music databases because of both his commercial success and later legal controversy. Public biographies emphasize his role as a producer behind major charting singles.

Key facts

  • Dr. Luke is the stage name of Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald, an American songwriter and record producer.
  • He gained wide recognition for producing Kelly Clarkson’s 2004 single "Since U Been Gone."
  • His credits include work with major pop artists such as Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Kesha.
  • He has also used the aliases Tyson Trax and Made in China.
  • Sources identify him as born on September 26, 1973, in Providence, Rhode Island.
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Canadian context

Dr. Luke has had relevance for Canadian readers through his work on international pop hits that received airplay and chart success in Canada, and through collaborations with globally popular artists followed by Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dr. Luke?
Dr. Luke is the professional name of Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald, an American songwriter, record producer, and musician.
When was Dr. Luke born?
He was born on September 26, 1973.
What is Dr. Luke known for?
He is known for producing and co-writing pop hits for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kesha.
What are some songs associated with Dr. Luke?
Public sources link him to "Since U Been Gone," "Girlfriend," "Circus," "Hot n Cold," and "Tik Tok."
Does Dr. Luke use other names?
Yes. Sources list the aliases Tyson Trax and Made in China.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Luke
    Supports: Birth name, professional name, aliases, occupation, and general career overview.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Luke
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, aliases, and broad description as an American record producer and songwriter.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0332085/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and credits as a composer and producer.
  4. Genius — https://genius.com/artists/Dr-luke
    Supports: Summary of career, notable collaborations, and early breakout success with "Since U Been Gone."
  5. Vulture — https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/dr-luke-profile-2010-new-york-magazine.html
    Supports: Background profile and examples of major hit singles associated with Dr. Luke.