- 2021-02-12
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MUSIC
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ Rita Ora Releases New EP “Bang” with Imanbek: Streaming
British singer-songwriter Rita Ora is back. She retuned with 4-track EP “Bang” on February 12, 2021.
The EP is her first project since the 2018 second album “Phoenix”.
This time, she teamed up with Kazakh DJ Imanbek for the project. The EP features guest appearances from French DJ David Guetta, American rapper Gunna and Argentine trap singer KHEA.
“When we started this project, we were really looking to develop creative connections with other artists,” Rita Ora said in a statement. “Collaborating with Imanbek was a really unique experience, we had meetings through Zoom to discuss the music and we had to use translators as well as, so we really had to adapt to a new way of recording. It's amazing how much technology allowed our connection to shine through."
“This was a globally collaborative project including some of my favorite artists and producers," Imanbek said. "It was really fun to work with on the project in such a creative way. The project brought us together not only creatively but personally and that was a great experience.”- nLEjEih8tB8
Rita Ora explained track-by-track for the EP via Apple Music.
“Big” featuring Gunna and David Guetta
“I messaged David to ask his opinion on something for the EP, and he replied, simply: 'I know about this record and I have to be involved.' I had no idea word had got out, but David knows everything. So he sent me a rough outline; Imanbek and I both loved it and changed a few things around; I added my vocal and sent it back to David before I decided it needed a rapper, so messaged Gunna. The song gave the project a life of its own. I've done a lot of collaborations and have learned when things feel right, you let it be. And this felt very right.”
“Bang Bang”
“I was in such two minds about using the sample ['Axel F' by Harold Faltermeyer from Beverly Hills Cop]. I had a wariness around using something so iconic, that was such a moment in people's youths. But I couldn't resist—I thought it was genius, and so much fun. It reminds me of being a kid. Because I was alone in the recording process, I just had to trust my instinct. There's the melody and a chord progression there which makes it much more than just that sample. You're going to hear it, know it, and feel good.”
“Mood” featuring KHEA
“This is my vibe. It's the swaggiest song on the record. I always feel I'm a secret rapper deep down, and when I was recording these songs I had to push myself to sing like I wouldn't usually sing. My roots are in soul music and my love for force-of-nature women, from Janis Joplin to Cher, Debbie Harry and Madonna. I'm inspired by them because I feel I've had to fight for myself through so much. I realised I don't always have to really sing and show off my voice at all times—sometimes it's just about the vibe.”
“The One”
“One of many things I love about Imanbek's production is how distinctive his sound is. It's entirely his own. This, for me, shows that sound off best. It's got his 'deep horn', as I called it. He kept saying, 'Rita, it's not a horn,' I'd apologise and we'd move on. It was supposed to be The Sad Moment on the EP, but he put this heavy club dance beat behind it and told me, 'No sadness. We're going to hit them hard.'”- source : Apple Music
