Rita Ora Bio

Rita Ora is a British artist and singer. Rita Sahatciu Ora was born in 1990 in Pristina (Kosovo) to Vera (Bajraktari), and Besnik Sahatciu. Besim Sahatciu is her granddaughter. Her family relocated to the United Kingdom at age 1. She was raised in West London and attended St Cuthbert with St Matthias CE Primary School in Earls Court, following which she graduated from Sylvia Young Theatre School and later St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College. She began singing at an early age. In 2004, she was a part of the British movie Spivs. After a successful audition for Eurovision: Your Country requires You (BBC One) she was picked to represent Britain in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. She was later unable to participate in the contest after a couple of episodes, as she felt that the stage was not set. Her first music release came in 2007 when she was featured in the track of Craig David "Awkward" as well as in 2008 on "Where is Your Love" with Tinchy Stryder. She also appears in the music videos. Ora started singing in bars around London, and in 2009 A&R reported to Roc Nation about Ora, shortly after Ora flew out to New York and met Jay-Z. Ora was in Jay-Z's 2009 video for "Young Forever" and "Over" from Drake. Ora caught the attention of Jay-Z and he was able to sign her to Roc Nation, in which she appeared in commercials for Roc Nation + Skullcandy Aviator Headphones. Her father Besnik was the owner of a pub, and she started her singing career in that same bar. Gwen Stefani is a major influence on her manner of speaking. She also cites her father, Besnik, who was the owner of a pub. Kate Moss, Ed Sheeran and their friends.