Rita Ora Bio

Rita Ora, a British artist and singer. She was born Rita Sahatciu Ora in 1990 in Pristina, Kosovo, to Vera (Bajraktari) and Besnik Sahatciu. Besim Sahatciu is the granddaughter of her mother. At the age of one her family made the decision to move to the United Kingdom. She was raised in West London and attended St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School in Earls Court, following which she was accepted into Sylvia Young Theatre School and afterward, St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College. She sang from an early age. In 2004, she appeared in the British movie Spivs. She was chosen to audition for Eurovision The Country That requires You, a British contestant in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. However she decided to withdraw from the contest after just a few episodes due to the fact that she didn't feel ready. The first release of Ora's music was in 2007, when she featured on Craig David's song "Awkward" and then in 2008 on "Where is Your Love" with Tinchy Stryder. She also appeared in music videos. Ora began singing in bars in and around London and in 2009 an A&R representative told Roc Nation about Ora, a few days after Ora went to New York and met Jay-Z. Ora was featured in Jay Z's 2009 video for "Young Forever" and "Over" by Drake. Ora attracted the attention of Jay-Z and he shrewdly signed her up to Roc Nation, in which she was featured in a commercial for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones. Her father Besnik was the owner of a pub and she started her singing career from the same bar. Gwen Stefani is a major influence on her demeanor. She also refers to her father Besnik, who was a pub owner. Kate Moss and Ed Sheeran are good friends.