JAY Z’S COMPANY Roc Nation is suing Rita Ora for $2.4m claiming the British singer breached her five-album contract, it has been reported.
In the suit, filed on Friday (Jan 29) in California superior court, the label claims it has “tirelessly promoted” Ora’s career and spent $2.3m on her still undelivered second album.
The label is calling for the return of that money, and damages for the albums she has not delivered.
It comes after the X Factor judge issued a lawsuit seeking to end her contract with Roc Nation, arguing that a change in direction at the company meant she had been ignored since releasing an album with the label in 2012.
It is thought that Ora’s move triggered the counter-suit.
According to Billboard, Ora’s lawyer, Howard E King, is sanguine about the countersuit, saying Roc Nation had to file it to avoid losing standing in the case.
King claimed that Jay Z had called Ora after she filed her suit, agreeing to release her, and that the two parties were finalising the details. The only complication involved Jay Z getting Roc Nation’s parent company, Sony Music, to agree to the settlement.
Rita Ora joined Roc Nation aged 18 and was one of the Jay Z's first signings.
Since putting pen to paper, the X Factor judge has released one self-titled album - her debut in 2012, which contained two UK No 1 singles, RIP and How We Do (Party).
Her court action is still ongoing.