Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

Singer Rita Ora is being called the next Rihanna, and yesterday, Jay-Z stopped by New York City’s Z100 radio station to let the public judge for themselves. Mr. Carter rolled into the station for an impromptu premiere of Ora’s single “Party and Bulls**t,” and seeing as how Rih Rih has been making some suspect life decisions as of late, it seems like the perfect time for him to pay a little more attention to the British singer.

“This is all very spontaneous for us, we just came to see some great friends over here, and play some music,” said Hov. The head honchos over at Z100 were so impressed by the high-energy track that they decided to add it to their playlist. “They liked what they heard and said ‘let’s just throw it on the air,’ which is great.

“That’s what radio is all about, it’s about a feeling, an emotion. It’s not about scheduling and planning, let’s do it right now.”

Ora caught Jay’s ear in 2009 prompting him to sign her to Roc Nation and feature her in a commercial for the company’s Skullycandy Aviator Headphones collaboration. With a solid label deal and a healthy amount of buzz, even though she’s from across the pond, the 21-year-old has since grown fond of the states. “I love America, so I’m usually here,” she said during the radio visit.

Late last year, the singer released her DJ Fresh-assisted single “Hot Right Now” via YouTube. The video is a certified Internet hit receiving more than 6 million views since December. Of course Rihanna remains one of Hov’s top female finds, having sold more than 47 million digital singles in the U.S., but Ora just might be the one to go toe-to-toe with the pop star. Word has it that she is also working with Ester Dean and The-Dream for her debut—two people credited with giving Rihanna some of her biggest hits.

There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, and a Notorious B.I.G. interpolation.

Photo: Z100