Rita Ora
Rita Ora | |
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File:Rita Ora.jpg | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Rita Sahatçiu Ora |
Origin | West London, England, UK.[1] |
Genres | R&B, pop, soul , smooth jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actress |
Instrument | Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Roc Nation |
Website | ritaora |
Rita Sahatçiu Ora (born November 26, 1990), known as Rita Ora, is a British singer, songwriter, and actress.[2][3] In 2009, she appeared on the BBC's Eurovision: Your Country Needs You where she auditioned to be the British contestant for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.[1] Later in 2009 she signed to Roc Nation. She is of Kosovar Albanian ethnicity.
Biography
Early life and career beginnings
Rita Ora was born in Pristina, Kosovo[a]) and moved to the United Kingdom the same year of her birth. She grew up in West London and attended St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School in Earls Court, following which she graduated from Sylvia Young Theatre School and then St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College. She began singing from a young age.[4][5] In 2004, she appeared in the British film Spivs.[6] She auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One to be the British contestant for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest[1][7] but later withdrew from the competition after a few episodes as she did not feel ready.[1]
In 2007, Ora had her first music release when she appeared on Craig David's track entitled "Awkward"[8] and then again in 2008 on "Where's Your Love" featuring Tinchy Stryder, for which she also appears in the music video.[9] Ora began singing in bars in and around London, and in 2009 a A&R told Roc Nation about Ora, a few days after Ora flew out to New York and met Jay Z.[10] In 2009, Ora made a cameo on Jay-Z's video for "Young Forever" and Over by Drake. Ora caught the attention of Jay-Z and he quietly signed her to Roc Nation, in which she was featured in a commercial for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones.[11][12] She has been predicted as a Future Star by This Must Be Pop.[13]
2011–present: debut album
Throughout 2011, Ora released viral videos of herself working on her debut album.[14]
On December 14, 2011 DJ Fresh and Ora released "Hot Right Now" on YouTube. The video has had over 20,000,000 views.[15]
On February 24, 2012, Ora visited New York's Z100 radio station alongside her Roc Nation label boss Jay-Z, to premiere "How We Do (Party)", her debut single and the lead single from her upcoming studio album. "How We Do (Party)" borrows its familiar refrain from The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Party and Bullshit".[16]
She has been recording her first studio album for two years. Will.I.Am, Ester Dean, Drake, The-Dream, Kanye West and Stargate are all working with Ora on her debut album.[17][18]
When speaking about the sound of the album and its concept, Ora said it "definitely has pop in it, but (...) you can hear influences of jazz in there, you can hear influences of Monica and Aaliyah, and then you can hear Gwen Stefani.”[19]
In another interview, Ora confirmed the tracks "Roc the Life" and "Love at War" to be featured on her debut album.[20]
"R.I.P." featuring Tinie Tempah will be released as her first UK single on May 6, 2012. "R.I.P" was written by Drake and produced by Chase & Status.[21] The video was recorded in Hackney, East London, and released on April 4, 2012.[22]
Artistry
Influences
Ora credits Gwen Stefani as her idol and biggest influence, saying in an interview “Do you know how much I love that woman? I love everything about her."[10] Ora has also named Beyoncé as a major influence and a mentor, in addition to talking about her admiration at being able to have one of her idols, Beyoncé, give her feedback on her debut album.[18] Her other musical influences include Aaliyah, India Arie, Christina Aguilera, Brandy, Monica, Madonna, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Vybz Kartel and Sade.[10][23] Ora has mentioned her admiration for Rita Hayworth as an early inspiration for wanting to pursue an acting career.[24]
For fashion inspirations, Ora also cites Gwen Stefani[25] as her most influential style icon. In addition to Stefani, Ora has drawn great inspiration stylistically from Marilyn Monroe and Daphne Guinness through fashionable trends in both vintage clothing and retro wear.[26][27]
Discography
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [28] |
AUS [29] |
BEL (Vl) [30] |
IRE [31] |
NL [32] | |||
"How We Do (Party)" | 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | TBA |
"R.I.P." (featuring Tinie Tempah) |
— | — | — | — | — |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK [28] |
AUS [29] |
BEL (Vl) [30] |
IRE [31] |
NL [32] | |||
"Where's Your Love" (Craig David featuring Tinchy Stryder and Rita Ora) |
2008 | 58 | — | — | — | — | Greatest Hits |
"Hot Right Now" (DJ Fresh featuring Rita Ora) |
2012 | 1 | 46 | 11 | 17 | 27 | TBA |
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Album | Artist |
---|---|---|---|
"Awkward" | 2007 | Trust Me | Craig David |
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Where's Your Love" | 2008 | Steve Kemsley | [9] |
"Hot Right Now" | 2011 | Rohan BM | [33] |
"R.I.P." | 2012 | Emil Nava | [34] |
"How We Do (Party)" | Marc Klasfeld | [35] |
Cameo appearances
Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Young Forever" (Jay-Z featuring Mr Hudson) |
2009 | Anthony Mandler | |
"Over" (Drake) |
2010 | [36] |
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
2004 | Spivs | Rosanna | First acting role |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2009 | Eurovision: Your Country Needs You | Contestant | Contestant for the honor of representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 |
Notes and references
Notes:
a. | ^ Template:Kosovo-note |
References:
- ^ a b c d In Ora of No 1 Rita The Sun. Retrieved 11 April 2012
- ^ Rita Ora Visits Radio With Jay-Z, Scores Hit With 'How We Do (Party)' Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2012
- ^ British singer Rita Ora poses for photographers before the Vivienne Westwood 2012 Autumn/Winter collection show Yahoo. Retrieved 11 April 2012
- ^ SoulCulture. "Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators Presents: Rita Ora | Video". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
- ^ "Rita+Ora Last.fm profile". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
- ^ Rita Ora IMDb page. imdb.com. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ "Rita Ora - Your Country Needs You!". YouTube. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "Craig David - Awkward". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ a b Where's Your Love - Craig David ft Tinchy Styder and Rita Ora. Youtube. July 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Rita Ora EPK". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ "Skullcandy & RocNation / Aviator Headphoness". Skullcandy.com. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones cast Rita Ora. YouTube. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ "This Must Be Pop brings you Future Pop! (Issue #05)". thismustbepop.com. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Roc Nation artists - Rita Ora". Roc Nation, LLC.
- ^ "DJ Fresh ft. Rita Ora - Hot Right Now (Official Video) (Out Now)". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ "New Music: Rita Ora – "How We Do (Party)"". rap-up.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ "New Music: Ester Dean - "Let It Grow (Celebrate the World)"". rap-up.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Rap-Up TV: Rita Ora talks roots, Roc Nation, & Rolling with Jay-Z and Beyonce". rap-up.com. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Rap-Up TV: Rita Ora dishes on debut, working with Drake and Kanye West". rap-up.com. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
- ^ Rita Ora Sits Down With PunchBowl TV!. YouTube.
- ^ "New Music: Rita Ora F/ Tinie Tempah – "R.I.P."". rap-up.com. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Watch: Rita Ora Talks 'RIP' Video, Drake & Ex- Girlfriends". thatgrapejuice.net. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ^ Rita Ora Talks Rihanna Comparisons, R.I.P, Roc Nation and Beyonce. Youtube. Retrieved 17 April 2012
- ^ http://www.dailyhoroscopes1.com/Rita-Ora/6841/11.htm
- ^ http://blog.muzu.tv/2012/04/10/rita-ora-ft-tinie-tempah-rip-video/
- ^ http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/hairstyle-photo-gallery/hairstyles-for-round-faces/rita-ora-4
- ^ http://popcrush.com/rita-ora-gwen-stefani-kanye-west-inspired/
- ^ a b Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
- For "Where's Your Love": "ChartArchive - Craig David - Where's Your Love". ChartStats.
- For "Hot Right Now": "Chart Archive > UK Singles Chart > 25 February 2012". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora - Australian Charts". australian-charts.com/ Hung Medien.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora - Belgium (Flanders) Charts". ultratop.be/nl/ Hung Medien.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora - Irish Charts". irish-charts.com/ Hung Medien.
- ^ a b "Rita Ora - Dutch Charts". dutchcharts.nl/ Hung Medien.
- ^ Hot Right Now (Official Music Video)
- ^ R.I.P. ft. Tinie Tempah
- ^ In Production: Rita Ora - Marc Klasfeld, dir.. videostatic.com.
- ^ Wete, Brad (Monday, April 12, 2010). "Drake's new 'Over' video: Watch it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved Tuesday, November 1, 2011.
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