Bang (Rita Ora and Imanbek EP)

Bang is an extended play (EP) by British singer Rita Ora and Kazakh DJ and producer Imanbek. It was released for streaming and digital download on 12 February 2021 by Atlantic Records UK and Warner Music UK. The EP is Imanbek's first. They collaborated with guest 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.
Background and production.
Ora and Imanbek worked on the project in the months leading up to its release. "Bang" was officially announced on 4 February 2021 as a joint extended play (EP) between Ora and Imanbek. Almost a year had passed since Ora's last release, the 2020 single "How to Be Lonely", and Imanbek's most recent release was the joint single "Goodbye" with English house trio Goodboys on 18 December 2020. 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." 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.
Critical reception.
In writing for EDM.com, Cameron Sunkel described "Bang" as an "offering of sleek club sounds perfect for a night out". He asserted that the collection does not 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."
Promotion and singles.
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 an acoustic version of "Bang Bang".
"Big" was released as the EP's lead single. The music video, shot in Pernik and on the Buzludzha monument, features a handmade Albanian traditional outfit designed by Kosovan designer Valdrin Sahiti, as well as tributes to both Ora's Albanian and Imanbek's Kazakh heritages. Talking about the video, Ora said:
Ora performed "Bang Bang" on series thirteen of ITV's "Dancing on Ice" on 14 February 2021. She later performed the song on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on 3 March 2021 and a day later on Australian breakfast show "Sunrise".
Credits and personnel.
Credits adapted from Tidal.