We all know her for her upbeat tracks and amp-ed up songs in the last decade, and now Rita Ora is back and better than ever, packed with fresh music that she has been working on and has in store for her supporters and fans!
Rita's starting off this year by releasing new music and an EP titled "Bang", almost 3 years after her last album, "Phoenix" which she released back in 2018! The pop star is definitely coming off to a hot and strong start of the year!
Rita describes her new music as "more of a collaboration" and an "EP/mixtape kind of vibe" compared to the previous albums she has made in the past. The EP was a brainchild of her and music collaborator and producer Imanbek. Rita worked with the producer nonstop for this, despite their language barrier as Imanbek hailed from Kazakhstan. "A musical transformation of modern day music" is what Rita was all about on her new EP as she emphasized the collaboration she had with various international artists on this one big fusion of music masterpiece.
View this post on Instagram
Being fearless, honest and challenging herself lyrically is really what drove Rita to come up and create new music amidst the pandemic. Rita explored a lot on this EP where she not only sang on the tracks, but also rapped and took some influences from soul music - the music she grew up with. "It was like a Science expirement. We just had fun with it, there was no rules and that's what I loved about it." Rita really let loose while racking up her creativity and skills just to make one awesome, bangin' EP!
Asked about any memorable lyrics on the album, Rita didn't mention exact lyrics but more of the vibe of the lyrics. She stated in her song "Mood" that there was a certain hook wherein she sang the lyrics in a rap-style kind of way which she explained how it was so different from the kind of melodic singing style that she was used to. The singer was more than serious when she said that she wants to change things up. "I never wanna be comfortable. I always wanna evolve and I always wanna inspire." She describes the new EP as her "evolution" as a new artist.
Essence of freedom and the belief that artists are still in control of themselves and pretty much willing to take creative risks, is what Rita wants her fans to take away from her new music. She also became vocal about respecting the people's opinion on her EP as it was a "creative fight". Working on this EP is an outlet of creative freedom for Rita as there weren't any rules and the artists she collaborated with are there because they wanted to, not because they're obliged.
"You don't wanna get rid of the fear. You wanna be buddies with the fear." is what Rita advises all the struggling musicians who are self-doubting themselves when it comes to creating. Fear is what drives creativity, according to her. Certainly a sound advice from this icon!
How does one Rita Ora stay motivated as an artist? With the help and love from her family and friends and keeping her head down. It's a hard industry but Rita keeps herself grounded and puts up boundaries. She also uses her platform to help her fans, and it's another way to keep her motivated and going.
We are lucky enough to have the chance to talk to Rita for she's a fearless icon that is 100% full of wisdom. Get to know her more by checking out her interview with Rico and Karla on All Out here: