Joining host Alex D of CHANNEL Q for a special Audacy Check In today is U.K. singer Rita Ora on the release day of her third studio album, You & I.
LISTEN NOW: Audacy Check In with Rita Ora
Rita Ora's highly anticipated new record, You & I, featuring the previously released singles "You Only Love Me," "Praising You" (with Fatboy Slim), and her latest, "Don't Think Twice" is out now! "I think everyone just wants to hear good music, like happy music,” Ora told us at the beginning of the year upon the release of the first single, and now more than ever, with the summer in full swing, we couldn't agree more!
“It’s crazy, this is my third album and I’m really excited,” Rita tells us. “I really wrote everything on this record, it’s sort of like a re-introduction. If people don’t know me and they’re hearing me right now, it’s a really good way to get to know me. It’s a super-personal album but still very fun and exciting.”
“I haven’t put an album out in about five years,” she adds. "So, I really wanted people to feel close to me. I wanted this album to break down any barriers or walls that might have been built up.”
Hot off of the U.K.'s Pride celebrations, Rita reflected on how nice it was to see so many people happily take over the city of London with their colorful displays. "Pride is just the best -- In every country -- I've always felt so welcomed and accepted and safe," says Rita.
Rita had worked with her husband, Taika Waititi, on the music video for “Praising You,” and says she absolutely would love to do more projects with him in the future. "Taika and I are creatively super, super in sync," she explains. He's got such a great sense of humor, we kind of bonded over our love for the same thing. So, when I asked him to do the video he was super on board and we just went for it. It felt really cool and natural, and easy."
There's a safety aspect involved as well, she adds. "He knows all my tricks and things I don't want to do," Rita says. "I'd love to do more... it's all about timing, making sure it makes sense. Especially because we're together, me and Taika have to make sure we kill it... you don't want to do something kind of whack."
WATCH NOW: Audacy Check In with Rita Ora
With the album now on shelves, Rita's focus has shifted to making even more incredible music, talking with Keith Urban recently about getting together for a feature. They both worked together on the Australian version of The Voice, and she says Keith has been supportive of the idea from the get-go. "It felt really cool to get him on a song," Rita admits, "especially because he's, you know, an icon."
Rita also touched on the criticism she received over her 2018 "Girls" single featuring Cardi B., Bebe Rexha, and Charli XCX. "Everything that I feel like has a bit of controversy or feels a little risky, means that there's some truth behind it. I felt like, in time, people would understand or appreciate that point that everyone kind of goes through. And if you don't go through it, great, but for the ones that do I feel like it's just interesting to feel the same as somebody else."
"When you have a song that resembles purity, confusion, trust, and acceptance," she adds, "it felt a bit like an experience that I had that I wanted to share, and so forth. It did what it did, and now I'm really proud of it. Here we are years later and we're doing a whole other chapter. It's about growth and evolving."
Rita Ora - You & I tracklisting:
"Don't Think Twice"
"You Only Love Me"
"Praising You" (featuring Fatboy Slim)
"Unfeel It"
"Waiting for You"
"You & I"
"That Girl"
"Shape of Me"
"Look At Me Now"
"Girl in the Mirror"
"Notting Hill"
"I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend"
Fans should keep their eyes and ears peeled for more music and tour details for 2024. "For sure that's the plan."
Don’t miss our full Audacy Check In with Rita Ora above, and stay tuned for even more conversations with your favorite stars and artists on Audacy.com/Live.
Listen to Pop Now and more on the free Audacy app
Follow even more of your favorite music on Audacy's all-new stations like Pop Now, Electrified, Now Dance!, Let's Get Social, Beach Beats, Collabornation, and tons of others now streaming.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram