Rita Ora Sues for Release from Roc Nation

After years of failing to put out an album in the United States, Rita Ora is suing her label Roc Nation and owner Jay Z for stifling her career.
In a complaint filed in Los Angeles today (via Billboard), the singer claims that she was “orphaned” by the imprint when it shifted its focus to sports management and other endeavors.
“When Rita signed, Roc Nation and its senior executives were very involved with her as an artist,” the complaint reads. “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.”

Ora, who released her debut album Ora in the U.K. in 2012, cites California’s “seven year rule” that ends personal service contracts. She signed to Roc Nation in 2008 at the age of 18, and now claims that she’s been “hamstrung” after the label switched distribution from Sony to Universal, but left her behind at Sony.
The declamatory judgment also claims that she has been “self-funding her promotional television appearances, recording costs, and video projects.”
“Rita’s relationship with Roc Nation is irrevocably damaged,” it reads. “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 oft-delayed U.S. debut this year featuring collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Brown, who appears on the single “Body on Me.”