Rita Ora is suing Roc Nation and boss Jay-Z for “stifling her career”, after she has failed to release an album in the US.
In a complaint filed in LA today (via Billboard), Rita claimed she was “orphaned” by the label when it moved its focus to sports management and other endeavours.
The complaint reads, “When Rita signed, Roc Nation and its senior executives were very involved with her as an artist”
“As Roc Nation’s interests diversified, there were fewer resources available and the company suffered a revolving door of executives. Rita’s remaining supporters at the label left or moved on to other activities, to the point where she no longer had a relationship with anyone at the company.”
In the complaint she references California’s “seven year rule” that ends personal service contracts. After signing to Roc Nation in 2008, she now claims that she’s been “hamstrung” after the label switched distribution from Sony to Universal, and left her behind at Sony.
The judgment also claims that she has been “self-funding her promotional television appearances, recording costs, and video projects” with little input from Jay’s label.
“Rita’s relationship with Roc Nation is irrevocably damaged,” the complaint goes on, “Fortunately for Rita, the California legislature had the foresight to protect its artists from the sorts of vicissitudes she’s experienced with Roc Nation.”
Ora was set to release her U.S. debut this year.