Rita Ora making an album her 'friends can dance to'

1 September 2016

Rita Ora wants to make an album her "friends can dance to".

Rita Ora

The 'I Will Never Let You Down' hitmaker signed a new deal with Atlantic Records UK - a subsidiary of Warner Music Group - in June following her departure from Jay Z's label Roc Nation.

Rita has been busy recording songs for her second LP in London and she says being back in her hometown has given the tracks an old school vibe.

Speaking to VH1, Rita said: "Shout out to Warner who have given me my deal ... I'm recording it in London so I've taken it back to where I'm from and who I am and who I've become up to this point. Basically, I'm just making a record that I want my friends to dance to."

Rita has also vowed to get the album out before the end of 2016 because it's been too long since her debut LP, 2012's 'Ora', was released.

The 'America's Next Top Model' host has had a number of hit singles out in the time since her only long player was released but she's desperate to get another full collection of songs done for her fans.

She added: "I can't wait to get my music out, I'm so excited ... It's coming this year, for sure. I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to putting out music."

Meanwhile, Rita has a very special performance coming up as she will be singing for Pope Francis at an event honouring the life of Mother Teresa.

The pop star has been chosen to perform at the at St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, on September 3 - the day before the late Roman Catholic nun will be declared a Saint for her work with the Missionaries of Charity, the organisation she established to help the sick and abandoned - because of their shared Albanian heritage.

Rita - who was born in Kosovo to Albanian parents and raised in London - will sing the hymn 'What Child Is This?' at the event at Vatican City which will also feature performances from Albanian singers Ermonela Jaho, Inva Mula and Saimir Pirgu.

Discussing the honour on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', she said: "I looked at the guest list and I saw Pope! It's a real honour and I don't know if anyone's done the whole Vatican venue thing before, it's a bit interesting that the Vatican's someone's venue but it's going to be fantastic. It's massive, I'm really looking forward to it."