Ria Ritchie
Ria Ritchie | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ria Ritchie |
| Born | 23 September 1987 Lowestoft, Suffolk, England |
| Genres | R&B, neo soul, hip hop, acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Takeover |
| Website | riaritchie |
Ria Ritchie (/riˈɑː/ ree-AH; born 24 September 1987) is an English singer-songwriter and recording artist. Signed to Takeover Entertainment in 2011, Ria Ritchie released her debut single entitled, "Only One", in May 2012.[1][2][3]
Life and career
Early life
Ria Ritchie was born and grew up in Lowestoft, a seaside resort and resort town on the North Sea coast of England and the most easterly point of the United Kingdom.[4][5] Her father is South African and her mother is English.[6] She is the younger sister of actor Reece Ritchie, actor in the American films 10,000 BC and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.[7]
Career beginnings: 2012–present
Ria Ritchie released videos of her covering other artists songs with the guitar, receiving over 11 million views on YouTube.[2] In December 2009, Ria began writing songs with Plan B, then in 2010 she created a studio partnership with songwriter Ruth-Anne Cunningham, who co-wrote Pixie Lott's debut album Turn It Up.[1]
In 2010, Ria began talks with the discoverer of Rihanna and Ne-Yo, Jay Brown – business partner to rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z.[1] Ria stated: "[Jay Brown] said he was digging my tracks and he played me some songwriters he thinks he can put me with. It was quite scary but he was really chilled out. I've never been in that sort of environment before or met anyone of his status. He was talking about when he found and signed Rihanna and about Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" record".[1] Ria was signed in 2011 by Takeover Entertainment who signed a contract with Jay-Z's entertainment company, Roc Nation.[1]
In May 2012, Ria Ritchie released her first single, "Only One", and an extended play in 2012, with a debut album released in February 2013.[2]
Artistry
Musical style
Ria Ritchie's style of music yearned from when she started singing from the age of 12. She taught herself the guitar from the age of 17.[8] She grew up listening to a lot of Motown and soul music and her music is influenced by artists such as Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Keisha White, John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Plan B, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green.[8] She has done a few covers from some of these artists on her YouTube page.[8]
Voice and timbre
Ria Ritchie is an alto Lyric Coloratura soprano with vocal range spanning a voice type over 4 octaves (Scientific pitch notation: E3-D7).[9]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US | |||
| 2012 | "Only One"[10] | — | — | — |
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | |||
| 2012 | "Control" (Disclosure feat. Ria Ritchie)[9][11] | — | The Face |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Only One" | Luke Monaghan, James Barber | [12] |
| "Control" (with Disclosure) | Ben Murray, Ross McDowell | [13] |
References
- ^ a b c d e Little, Sophie. "Jay-Z label backing for Ria Ritchie". BBC News. Norfolk.
- ^ a b c "Ria Ritchie: MOBO TV Interview". youtube.
- ^ Corner, Lewis. "Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear". Digital Spy.
- ^ "Ones To Watch: Ria Ritchie". SB.TV.
- ^ "YouTube star Ria Ritchie joins Sundown!". sundownfestival.co.uk.
- ^ "Suffolk's rising star". Places&Faces. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ Lamont, Tom. "IMDb: Reece Ritchie". Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
- ^ a b c Dorken, Joanne. "Ria Ritchie". MTV News., "Artist Feature: Ria Ritchie".
- ^ a b "Disclosure featuring Ria Ritchie – Control". hypetrak.com., "Disclosure – Control".
- ^ "Only One – Single by Ria Ritchie". iTunes Store.
- ^ "Control – Single by Disclosure featuring Ria Ritchie". iTunes Store.
- ^ "Ria Ritchie 'Only One' by Luke + Barber". promonews.tv.
- ^ "Disclosure 'Control' by Ben Murray & Ross McDowell". promonews.tv.