Rita Ora is suing Roc Nation. The singer filed a complaint this morning in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking a judgment that the recording contract she signed with Jay Z's company in 2008 at the age of 18 violates California law, and is therefore not viable, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Specifically, Rita cites Roc Nation's new endeavors into the streaming service Tidal, clothing, sports management, and other businesses. "When Rita signed, Roc Nation and its senior executives were very involved with her as an artist," the complaint states. "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."
The complaint notes California Labor Code §2855 (also known as the “Seven Year Rule”) as grounds for dismissing the contract. The code, in effect in California Law since 1944, states that artists cannot be subject to a contract beyond seven years from the beginning of the deal. The Seven Year Rule has been applied to all facets of Hollywood but has faced a multitude of problems over the years, including a very public and documented lawsuit with Thirty Seconds to Mars.
The lawsuit continues: "Rita's relationship with Roc Nation is irrevocably damaged. Fortunately for Rita, the California legislature had the foresight to protect its artists from the sorts of vicissitudes she's experienced with Roc Nation." As of now, there is no response from Roc Nation, but we'll continue to update when details emerge.
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