Back in December of last year, we reported that singer Rita Ora was suing Roc Nation after feeling “orphaned” by the label and reports that she had been “self-funding her promotional television appearances, recording costs, and video projects” with little input from Jay Z’s label. Now the story has taken a twist with Roc Nation counter suing Ora for the amount of $2.4 million dollars for breaking her recording contract and failing to deliver promised albums [according to TMZ]. In the new lawsuit, Roc Nation claims that over $2 million were spent developing and marketing Ora’s still unreleased sophomore album.
Rita Ora signed a 10-year contract with the Roc in 2008. In the lawsuit, the label claims that the contract stipulated Ora produce five albums. She has released only one to date, 2012’s ‘Ora’. “[Roc Nation] has tirelessly promoted [her] career, investing millions of dollars in marketing, recording and other costs, which was instrumental in guiding Ms. Ora to her current level of success and fame.”
Rita Ora’s lawyer, Howard E King, is optimistic about the countersuit, saying Roc Nation had to file it to avoid losing standing in the case. King claimed that Jay Z had called Ora after she filed her suit, agreeing to release her, and that the two parties were finalising the details. Judging from the fact that Ora is no longer listed on Roc Nation’s website, it appears that the two parties have already cut ties. The only complication involved is Jay Z getting Roc Nation’s parent company, Sony Music, to agree to the settlement.