Rita Ora’s new album You & I was released on July 14th. It is the British singer’s third studio album and follows 2018’s ‘Phoenix’ and her debut ‘Ora’ from 2012. We caught up with her at Soho House in Berlin to talk about her inspiration, the ’90s and her collaboration with her husband Taika Waititi.
On November 26, 1990, Rita Sahatçiu Ora was born in Pristina, Yugoslavia, in today’s Kosovo. In the same year she came to Great Britain with her parents and two siblings, where the family finally settled in London. Rita was exposed to music early in her life. She attended theater school as a teenager and was finally discovered at the age of 14 by the Swedish music producer and songwriter Martin Terefe, who has already worked with music greats such as Mary J. Blige.
In 2009 she signed her first record deal with Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. This was followed by the first studio album “Ora” and numerous collaborations with artists such as Iggy Azalea, Drake and Chris Brown. In 2018 the second work “Phoenix” was released. Here, too, she worked together with stars such as Ed Sheeran and Avicii, the latter died in the same year at the age of only 29. The 32-year-old was also an actress in front of the camera and acted as a supporting actress in films such as “Fifty Shades of Gray” and “Fast & Furious 6”.
The third studio album by the British all-round artist was released in July. “You & I” is much more personal and closer to her life than its predecessors. While the content focuses on the various stages of her relationship (as well as her relationships with other loved ones), she enlisted Executive Producer Oak Felder, who has previously worked with Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys and Usher.
Her partner, the New Zealand film director and Oscar winner Taika Waititi, served as the main inspiration for the new album. The two live together in New Zealand. Waititi directed Rita Ora’s music video for Don’t Think Twice, which was released in June 2023. Earlier in April, the British singer released her single “Praising You,” a cover of Fatboy Slim’s ’90s hit “Praise You.”
On the occasion of her new work, we met the singer at the Soho House in Berlin and talked to her about “You & I”.
The entire interview can be seen here
Watch the music video for “Don’t Think Twice” here
Track Listing for Rita Ora’s Album You & I
1. Don’t Think Twice
2. You Only Love Me
3. Praising You (feat. Fatboy Slim)
4. Unfeel It
5.Waiting For You
6. You & I
7. That Girl
8. Shape Of Me
9. Look At Me Now
10. Girl In The Mirror
11. Notting Hill
12. I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend