RITA ORA GRANTED ACCESS TO LABEL DEAL

Taking a break from their high tea are, from left, Sarah Stennett, CEO, First Access Entertainment, Ben Cook, President, Atlantic Records U.K., Rita Ora and Max Lousada, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music U.K.

Rita Ora is the first high-profile Access Entertainment artist to sign with Warner following her manager Sarah Stennett’s joint venture with Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries. Ora has a global deal with Ben Cook’s Atlantic Records U.K. after settling a lawsuit with former label Roc Nation earlier this month.

British-born Ora has worked with Stennett for eight years, first under the wing of Turn First, and now under First Access Entertainment. She rose to prominence in 2012 when featuring on DJ Fresh track “Hot Right Now” (Ministry of Sound), which debuted at #1 in the U.K. Her debut album, Ora, released via Sony U.K. imprint Columbia in Blighty, also hit #1 on the U.K. charts later that year.

In addition to her music, Ora has acted in several films and appeared as a judge on The Voice and The X Factor. She’s also partnered with brands including Adidas, Rimmel and Tezenis. Ora will release new music through Atlantic later this year.

Said Cook: "Rita is a rare talent and a true global star. First and foremost she’s a great singer who's hugely passionate about music and I'm delighted to welcome her to Atlantic Records. We look forward to getting in the studio with her and making an incredible album."

Stennett added: “I have worked with Rita since she was 17. She has always been a great entertainer with an electric personality; singing is at the heart of everything she does. I am thrilled that Rita has Atlantic Records as her global record label in this next phase of her career.”