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British Pop Star Proud To Be Kosovar


British singer Rita Ora poses during the filming of her new music video in Pristina in September.
British singer Rita Ora poses during the filming of her new music video in Pristina in September.
In the new video for her latest single, U.K. pop sensation Rita Ora returns to her roots -- Pristina, Kosovo.

In "Shine Ya Light," Ora flies the flag -- literally posing with the national flag of the onetime Yugoslav province, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and greets a rapturous crowd of fans in Pristina.

WATCH: Rita Ora -- "Shine Ya Light"


She was born in the city in 1990 but moved to Great Britain the same year. Singing from a young age, Ora began appearing on tracks with other singers, including Craig David and Tinchy Stryder from 2007. This led to her meeting U.S. star Jay-Z and appearing in one of his videos. She then signed with his Roc Nation label.

Her big break came earlier this year, with the release of her first single "How We Do (Party)," which hit No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart. Her debut album, "Ora," was released in August and has sold briskly, going to No. 1 on the album chart.

But the singer is not one to leave her past behind. She's only too ready to talk about the place she was born. She told U.S. CBS television:

They are so, so proud and I'm happy to say that I'm from there. I say it in every interview…It's always a shock and I love that. They've had my back since I started. I met the ambassador, the president wants to meet. I feel like it's a very big honor. It's one of those things where we don't get those opportunities and there's a lot of talent in my country. I'm happy to be one of the first to say that.

It's now expected that Kosovo's president, Atifete Jahjaga, will name Ora an honorary ambassador for her contribution to improving the image of Kosovo around the world.

About This Blog

Written by RFE/RL editors and correspondents, Transmission serves up news, comment, and the odd silly dictator story. While our primary concern is with foreign policy, Transmission is also a place for the ideas -- some serious, some irreverent -- that bubble up from our bureaus. The name recognizes RFE/RL's role as a surrogate broadcaster to places without free media. You can write us at transmission+rferl.org

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