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Rita Ora signs to Warner Music’s Atlantic
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 21 June 2016
As expected, Rita ‘Fuck You Jay-Z’ Ora has signed a new record deal with Warner Music, having finally parted company with the label side of the Roc Nation empire following a small but well formed legal squabble.
As previously reported, Ora sued Jay-Z’s music firm late last year, accusing the company of stalling her career by repeatedly delaying the release of her second album. Roc Nation retaliated with a countersuit saying that it had to date spent over $2 million on a new LP that she had failed to complete. But earlier this month legal papers filed at the New York Supreme Court confirmed an out of court settlement had been reached.
Ora then announced on Snapchat that it was “contract time”. A deal with a Warner label was much mooted, possibly because she is managed by First Access Entertainment, which counts Warner Music owner Len Blavatnik as a backer, though the management firm still works with an assortment of other labels across its roster.
But it is a Warner label that will be releasing the next helping of Ora, Atlantic Records UK to be precise. “Rita is a rare talent and a true global star”, notes the label’s President Ben Cook. “First and foremost she’s a great singer who’s hugely passionate about music and I’m delighted to welcome her to Atlantic Records. We look forward to getting in the studio with her and making an incredible album”. Oh, it’s going to be incredible, is it? Can’t wait.
“Music is my first love”, states Ora while confirming her new deal. “And I am looking forward to getting my new songs released. I’m thankful to my new Atlantic Records family for all their support and encouragement. The next chapter is going to be incredible”.
And finally, First Access chief Sarah Stennett added: “I have worked with Rita since she was seventeen. She has always been a great entertainer with an electric personality; singing is at the heart of everything she does. I am THRILLED that Rita has Atlantic Records as her global record label in this next phase of her career”.
