Rita Ora
| Rita Ora | |
|---|---|
 Ora at Perez Hilton's One Night In... Los Angeles in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rita Sahatçiu Ora |
| Born | 26 November 1990 Pristina, Yugoslavia[1] |
| Origin | West London, England |
| Genres | Pop, dance-rock, dance-pop, R&B |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Roc Nation |
| Associated acts | Jay-Z, Drake, Tinie Tempah, Sia, DJ Fresh, Snoop Dogg |
| Website | ritaora.com |
Rita Sahatçiu Ora (born 26 November 1990) is a British singer-songwriter and actress. In 2012, Ora released her debut album, Ora which debuted at number one in the United Kingdom. It also spawned three number-one singles "Hot Right Now", "How We Do (Party)" and "R.I.P." which made Ora the artist with the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012. Ora has a mezzo-soprano vocal range.[2] Ora was nominated for three awards at the 2013 BRIT Awards, including the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act.[3]
Contents |
Life and career
Early life and career start
Rita Ora was born in 1990 in Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia (today Kosovo[a]) to Kosovar-Albanian parents and moved to the United Kingdom when she was 1. She grew up around Portobello Road in West London,[4] 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. Today she lives in Kensington, London.[4] Ora began singing from a young age.[5][6] In 2004, she appeared in the British film Spivs.[7] She auditioned for Eurovision: Your Country Needs You on BBC One to be the British contestant for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest[8][9] but later withdrew from the competition after a few episodes as she did not feel ready.[8]
In 2007, Ora had her first music release when she appeared on Craig David's track titled "Awkward"[10] and then again in 2008 on "Where's Your Love" featuring Tinchy Stryder, for which she also appears in the music video.[11] Ora began singing in bars in and around London, and in 2009 an A&R told Roc Nation about Ora, a few days after Ora flew out to New York and met Jay-Z.[12] 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 signed her to Roc Nation, for which she was featured in a commercial for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones.[13][14]
2011–2012: ORA and Commercial breakthrough
.jpg)
Throughout 2011, Ora released videos of herself working on her debut album.These videos became viral[15] On 14 December 2011, DJ Fresh and Ora released the music video for "Hot Right Now" on YouTube.[16] The single was released on 12 February 2012 and reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[17] On 24 February 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".[18] She took two years to completely finish her first studio album. will.i.am, Ester Dean, Drake, The-Dream, Kanye West and Stargate all worked with Ora on her debut album.[19][20]
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.”[21] She has also stated the album will be influenced by her father's record collection which, in addition to reggae, also includes such artists as Eric Clapton and B.B. King.[22] Her first solo record, "R.I.P." featuring Tinie Tempah, was released as her first UK single on 6 May 2012.[23] The video directed by Emil Nava was recorded in Hackney, East London, and released on 4 April 2012.[24] Produced by Chase & Status, the song debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming her first solo UK number 1, and second overall.[25] In May, Ora became a guest judge on the ninth series of The X Factor in the UK, with the auditions filmed at the O2 Arena, London.[26]
Whilst touring with Coldplay, she later announced that the album would be named Ora.[27] Ora was released on 27 August 2012 and debuted at the top the UK Albums Chart.[28] Her video, "Shine Ya Light", sees the singer return to Kosovo from where she originated, riding with a flank of bikers and gigging for excited hometown crowds.[29] Ora was nominated for Best UK/Ireland Act, Best New Artist, and Push Artist at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards.[30]
On 14 December 2012 Electronic Arts released a press statement confirming that Ora will be a character in the The Sims 3: Seasons videogame.[31]
2013–present: Second studio album
Ora will embark on her eight-date UK Radioactive Tour on January 28 through to February 9, 2013. On 14 January 2013, Ora revealed that her second album would be clearer and have more direction than her debut; "I definitely know what I want more and it's pretty straightforward with what I'm trying to say with this second album".[32] Whilst on tour, Ora performed a song called "Fair", which she announced will be on her sophomore album which will be out in summer of 2013.[33] On 26 February 2013, she revealed to Digital Spy that she had been working with Dev Hynes for the second album and that the record show different angle to a "party girl".[34]
Ora will feature on the newest single from American rapper Snoop Dogg. The video for the track, titled 'Torn Apart', was shot in January in Thailand.[35]
On 30 April 2013 Hunger TV released the video for Ora's song called Facemelt, which was directed by iconic photographer Rankin.[36] On 14 May 2013 Hunger TV released a second version of the video (also directed by Rankin), which contains a guest appearance from fashion model Cara Delevingne.[37]
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."[12] Ora has also named Beyoncé Knowles as a major influence and a mentor, in addition to talking about her admiration at being able to have one of her idols, Knowles, give her feedback on her debut album.[20] Her other musical influences include Rihanna,[38] 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.[12][39] Ora has mentioned her admiration for Rita Hayworth as an early inspiration for wanting to pursue an acting career.[40] For fashion inspirations, Ora also cites Gwen Stefani[41] 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.[42][43]
Personal life
Ora is of Kosovar Albanian ethnicity and possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range.[2]
Discography
Television appearances
| 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 |
Filmography
 | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Spivs | Rosanna[7] | |
| 2013 | 90210 | Herself[7] | She appeared as a guest star in the episode called "Misery Loves Company" |
| 2013 | Fast & Furious 6 | Head girl of a London racing crew[45] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organisation | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | MOBO Awards[46] | Best Newcomer | Herself | Won |
| Best Female Act | Nominated | |||
| Best Album | "Ora" | Nominated | ||
| Best Video | "R.I.P." | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | MTV Europe Music Awards[47] | Best New Act | Herself | Nominated |
| Best Push Act | Nominated | |||
| Best UK & Ireland Act | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | BRIT Awards[48] | British Single of the Year | "R.I.P." | Nominated |
| "Hot Right Now" | Nominated | |||
| British Breakthrough Act | Herself | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Kids' Choice Awards[49] | Favourite UK Female Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| 2013 | BET Awards[50] | Best International Act:UK | Herself | Nominated |
| 2013 | World Music Awards[51] | World's Best Female Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| World's Best Live Act | Nominated | |||
| World's Best Song | "R.I.P." | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Urban Music Awards[52] | Best Newcomer | Herself | Nominated |
| Best Female Act | Nominated | |||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best International Artist | Nominated | |||
| Best Single | "R.I.P." | Nominated | ||
| Best Album | "Ora" | Nominated | ||
| Best Music Video | "Hot Right Now" | Nominated |
Notes
| a. | ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo's independence has been recognised by 99 out of 193 United Nations member states. |
References
- ^ "The Official Rita Ora Site". Ritaora.com. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
- ^ a b "Jay-Z Introduces Protége Rita Ora's First Album Single". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ^ "Brit Awards: Emeli Sande gets four nominations". BBC News. Retrieved 10 January 2013
- ^ a b "Rita Ora's My London". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 November 2012
- ^ SoulCulture. "Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators Presents: Rita Ora | Video". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
- ^ "Rita+Ora Last.fm profile". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
- ^ a b c Rita Ora IMDb page. IMDb.com. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ a b In Ora of No 1 Rita The Sun. Retrieved 11 April 2012
- ^ "Rita Ora – Your Country Needs You!". YouTube. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ "Craig David – Awkward". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Rita Ora tops pop chart, Keane rival Beatles album hits". Reuters. Retrieved 14 May 2012
- ^ "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 interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2012". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- ^ "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 Tops UK Singles Chart. MTV, Retrieved 14 May 2012
- ^ 'I can't breathe!' Guest judge Rita Ora hides nerves behind sunglasses and all white outfit... while Tulisa rocks cut-away dress at X Factor auditions. Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 May 2012
- ^ Vibe (2012-06-05). "Five Possible Album Names For Rita Ora’s Debut, ‘O.R.A.’". Vibe. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
- ^ "Rita Ora knocks Emeli Sande from the top of the Official UK Album Chart". NME. Retrieved 1 November 2012
- ^ "The Kosovo-born singer heads back to her roots". 4Music. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards: Rihanna leads nominations". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 November 2012
- ^ "EA UK Press Release: Rita Ora Becomes a Sim". simsvip.com. 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
- ^ "Rita Ora: 'Second album is much clearer'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 January 2013
- ^ "[HD] Rita Ora – Fair (Live At Manchester Academy 28/01/13)". YouTube. 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (26 February 2013). "Exclusive: Rita Ora recording new album "in secret"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ "Rita Ora, Snoop Dogg get stranded on desert island during video shoot". digitalspy.co.uk. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
- ^ "Rita Ora - Facemelt". hungertv.com. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
- ^ "Rita and Cara: Facemelt – The Remix". hungertv.com. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
- ^ "Rita Ora: 'I admire Rihanna's hardcore work ethic'". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
- ^ Rita Ora Talks Rihanna Comparisons, R.I.P, Roc Nation and Beyonce. YouTube. Retrieved 17 April 2012
- ^ "Rita Ora Horoscope Sagittarius and Zodiac Horse". DailyHoroscopes1.com. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Rita Ora ft Tinie Tempah RIP Video « MUZU.TV Blog". Blog.muzu.tv. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Rita Ora – Hairstyles for round faces". Sheknows.com. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Rita Ora Inspired by Gwen Stefani + Kanye West". Popcrush.com. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Rita Ora's US Debut Is 'Whole New Album'". MTV.co.uk. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ "Rita Ora talks 'Fast & Furious 6'". digitalspy.co.uk. 2013-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
- ^ "MOBO Awards 2012 – nominees shortlist revealed | MOBO Awards". Mobo.com. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards 2012: The nominees in full". digitalspy.co.uk. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
- ^ "BRIT Awards 2013: The Nominations". BBC. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
- ^ "Kids' Choice Awards 2013 voting". kca.nick.co.uk. 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
- ^ "BET Awards 2013 nominations". bet.com. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
- ^ "World Music Awards 2013 nominations". worldmusicawards.com. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
- ^ "Urban Music Awards 2013 nominations". urbanmusicawards.net. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rita Ora |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Actors from London
- Alumni of the Sylvia Young Theatre School
- Blue-eyed soul singers
- British people of Albanian descent
- English female singers
- English film actors
- English mezzo-sopranos
- English pop singers
- Kosovar Albanians
- Kosovar emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
- People from Pristina
- Roc Nation artists
- The X Factor (TV series) judges
- British female singers
