Rita Ora On Career Hopes: "Jay-Z Thinks I Could Be As Big As Rihanna"

15 April 2012, 12:47 | Updated: 15 April 2012, 12:52

The 'R.I.P.' singer says the 'Otis' rapper has been "so welcoming" in helping guide her career.

Rita Ora says her Roc Nation boss Jay-Z has high aspirations for her career and sees her as an artist that could one day be as successful as Rihanna. 

The 'Hot Right Now' singer says the '99 Problems' rapper has a lot of faith in her singing ability and and has been both "welcoming" and "genuinely helpful" in guiding her music career.

"I don't think there will be a next Rihanna," Rita told The Guardian this week. "But I think [Jay-Z] definitely sees me as someone who could be as big as Rihanna. 

"She's a superstar now, but they first knew her as a small-island girl - and they want to repeat that success," Rita added.

The 21 year-old singer-songwriter was signed to a record deal with Roc Nation back in 2009 and is currently preparing to launch her debut album 'Albi' later this year.

When asked about the first time she met Jay-Z, Rita revealed: "It was like I knew him for years. He's so welcoming and humble and genuinely helpful and caring when it comes to music."

Last week Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce were both spotted taking a night off together to watch Rita perform a live show in New York City.

Rita Ora will release her debut single 'R.I.P.', featuring Tinie Tempah, on 6th May.