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Rita Ora

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Rita Ora
Ora in Pristina, Kosovo during the filming of the "Shine Ya Light" music video
Ora in Pristina, Kosovo during the filming of the "Shine Ya Light" music video
Background information
Birth nameRita Sahatçiu Ora
Born (1990-11-26) 26 November 1990 (age 33)
Pristina, Yugoslavia[1]
OriginWest London, England
GenresPop, dance-rock, dance-pop, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, actress
InstrumentVoice
Years active2007–present
LabelsRoc Nation
Websiteritaora.com

Rita Sahatçiu Ora (born 26 November 1990) is a British singer-songwriter. 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 is nominated for three awards at the 2013 BRIT Awards, including the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act.[3]

Biography

1990–2011: Early life and career beginnings

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–present: Ora and commercial breakthrough

See also: Ora (Rita Ora album)
Ora at Perez Hilton's One Night In... Los Angles in 2012

Throughout 2011, Ora released viral videos of herself working on her debut album.[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]

Ora will embark on her eight-date UK Radioactive Tour on January 28 through to February 9, 2013.

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, gave her feedback on her debut album.[20] Her other musical influences include Rihanna,[31] 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][32] Ora has mentioned her admiration for Rita Hayworth as an early inspiration for wanting to pursue an acting career.[33] For fashion inspirations, Ora also cites Gwen Stefani[34] 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.[35][36] Ora is of Kosovar Albanian ethnicity and possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range.[2]

Discography

Main article: Rita Ora discography

Filmography

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

Awards and nominations

Year Organisation Award Work Result
2013 BRIT Awards[37] British Single of the Year "Hot Right Now" Pending
"R.I.P." Pending
British Breakthrough Act Herself Pending

Notes

a.   ^ Template:Kosovo-note

References

  1. ^ "The Official Rita Ora Site". Ritaora.com. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  2. ^ a b "Jay-Z Introduces Protége Rita Ora's First Album Single". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Brit Awards: Emeli Sande gets four nominations". BBC News. Retrieved 10 January 2013
  4. ^ a b "Rita Ora's My London". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 November 2012
  5. ^ SoulCulture. "Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators Presents: Rita Ora | Video". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  6. ^ "Rita+Ora Last.fm profile". Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  7. ^ Rita Ora IMDb page. imdb.com. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  8. ^ a b In Ora of No 1 Rita The Sun. Retrieved 11 April 2012
  9. ^ "Rita Ora - Your Country Needs You!". YouTube. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  10. ^ "Craig David - Awkward". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  11. ^ Where's Your Love - Craig David ft Tinchy Styder and Rita Ora. Youtube. July 30, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c "Rita Ora EPK". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  13. ^ "Skullcandy & RocNation / Aviator Headphoness". Skullcandy.com. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  14. ^ Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones cast Rita Ora. YouTube. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
  15. ^ "Roc Nation artists - Rita Ora". Roc Nation, LLC.
  16. ^ "DJ Fresh ft. Rita Ora - Hot Right Now (Official Video) (Out Now)". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  17. ^ "Rita Ora tops pop chart, Keane rival Beatles album hits". Reuters. Retrieved 14 May 2012
  18. ^ "New Music: Rita Ora – "How We Do (Party)"". rap-up.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  19. ^ "New Music: Ester Dean - "Let It Grow (Celebrate the World)"". rap-up.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Rap-Up TV: Rita Ora talks roots, Roc Nation, & Rolling with Jay-Z and Beyonce". rap-up.com. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  21. ^ "Rap-Up TV: Rita Ora dishes on debut, working with Drake and Kanye West". rap-up.com. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  22. ^ Rita Ora interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2012
  23. ^ "New Music: Rita Ora F/ Tinie Tempah – "R.I.P."". rap-up.com. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  24. ^ "Watch: Rita Ora Talks 'RIP' Video, Drake & Ex- Girlfriends". thatgrapejuice.net. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  25. ^ Rita Ora Tops UK Singles Chart. MTV, Retrieved 14 May 2012
  26. ^ '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
  27. ^ Vibe (2012-06-05). "Five Possible Album Names For Rita Ora's Debut, 'O.R.A.'". Vibe. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  28. ^ "Rita Ora knocks Emeli Sande from the top of the Official UK Album Chart". NME. Retrieved 1 November 2012
  29. ^ "The Kosovo-born singer heads back to her roots". 4Music. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  30. ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards: Rihanna leads nominations". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 November 2012
  31. ^ "Rita Ora: 'I admire Rihanna's hardcore work ethic'". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  32. ^ Rita Ora Talks Rihanna Comparisons, R.I.P, Roc Nation and Beyonce. Youtube. Retrieved 17 April 2012
  33. ^ "Rita Ora Horoscope Sagittarius and Zodiac Horse". DailyHoroscopes1.com. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  34. ^ "Rita Ora ft Tinie Tempah RIP Video « MUZU.TV Blog". Blog.muzu.tv. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  35. ^ "Rita Ora - Hairstyles for round faces". Sheknows.com. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  36. ^ "Rita Ora Inspired by Gwen Stefani + Kanye West". Popcrush.com. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  37. ^ "BRIT Awards 2013: The Nominations". BBC. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
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