Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘Here’s to a new chapter’: Rita Ora announces new BMG record deal that gives her control over masters

Pop singer tells fans she is ‘beyond excited’ to share new music with them

Roisin O'Connor
Friday 04 February 2022 07:47 GMT
Comments
Rita Ora has signed a new deal with BMG
Rita Ora has signed a new deal with BMG (AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Rita Ora has signed a new record deal that gives her full ownership of any future master recordings.

The “Anywhere” singer, who was previously signed to Atlantic Records, has moved over to BMG in a global deal.

The 31-year-old said it felt “empowering” to know she was in control of her own music, as she announced the news on Instagram.

A “master” is the industry term for the original recording of a song or album, from which all other copies – for streams, CDs, downloads etc – are made.

“I am extremely grateful to get to do what I love, for all the special people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and for my fans who are EVERYTHING to me – I do this all for you!” Ora said.

“I am beyond excited about the new music I've been working on and can't wait to share it with you all.”

Ora explained that BMG’s approach to artist ownership and control was “very much aligned” with her own.

She also thanked the “wonderful” team at Atlantic for helping her with her career to date, including reaching a record for the joint most Top 10 singles by a British solo female artist (13).

Despite being signed to Atlantic since 2016, Ora only released one album – Phoenix – with the label, which includes the singles “Your Song”, and “For You”, from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

BMG's UK president of repertoire and marketing, Alistair Norbury, said he was “delighted” to welcome Ora.

As well as a music career, Ora has appeared in films and is currently a judge on popular TV series The Masked Singer UK.

Read The Independent’s recent interview with her here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in