| Bang | ||||
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| Released | February 2021 | |||
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| Length | 11:25 | |||
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| Rita Ora chronology | ||||
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| Imanbek chronology | ||||
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Bang is an extended play (EP) by English singer Rita Ora and Kazakh-born DJ and producer Imanbek. It was released worldwide for streaming and digital download on 12 February 2021 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. Bang is Ora's second EP after 2012's Spotify Sessions, meanwhile it is Imanbek's first collection to contain multiple different songs. Both artist and producer collaborated with guest artists and musicians, including French DJ David Guetta, American rapper Gunna and Argentine trap artist Khea. It was preceded by the release of lead single "Big" which features both Guetta and Gunna.
Bang was announced on 4 February 2021 as a joint extended play (EP) between Ora and Imanbek. Prior to this, almost a year had passed since Ora's last release, the 2020 single "How to Be Lonely".[1] Meanwhile Imanbek previous release was the joint-single "Goodbye" with English house trio Goodboys on 18 December 2020.[2] In an article for Official Charts Company, Rob Copsey described the EP as "a mix of modern pop, 80s and 90s club culture and floor-filling house". The EP was written and produced digitally over Zoom, with Ora saying "[we were] looking to develop creative connections with other artists, it's amazing how much technology allowed our connection to shine through". In the same article, Imanbek said, "it was really fun to work with on the project in such a creative way. The project brought us together not only creatively but personally and that was a great experience."[1] Further elaborating on the experience, he said "[Bang] was a globally collaborative project including some of my favourite artists and producers." Translators were used to help the artist and producer to collaborate due to language differences.[3]
In writing for EDM.com, Cameron Sunkel described Bang as an "offering of sleek club sounds perfect for a night out". In his review, Sunkel asserted that the collection doesn't disappoint, "the outset, the EP's opener, 'Big,' seeks to make a decisive statement with flashy lyrics and an even sleeker club bassline." He praised the track "Mood" for displaying Ora's versatility, saying "as she weaves effortlessly between soulful delivery and quick cutting rap as she trades verses with Argentinian trap artist Khea."[4]
A short film titled Bang (The Official EP Film, filmed in Bulgaria, was released on 12 February 2021 and incorporates the songs "Mood" (featuring Khea), "Big" (featuring David Guetta and Gunna) and "The One".[5]
"Big" was released as the EP's lead single. The music video features a traditional handmade Albanian outfit designed by Kosovan designer Valdrin Sahiti, as well as tributing both Ora's Albanian and Imanbek's Kazakh heritage.[6] Speaking on the video, Ora said:
I've done a lot of music videos so far in my life and this is by far the hardest and most thrilling music video that I have ever done... there's a lot of locations, a lot of cold temperatures. I really wanted to do something visually unique and create a fantasy wonderland movie.[6]
Ora performed "Bang Bang" on series thirteen of ITV's Dancing on Ice on 14 February 2021.[7]