By Natalie Forster
Managing Editor
With a countdown clock on Instagram and on YouTube, fans anxiously waited until midnight on Jan. 18 for Ariana Grande to release her newest single, “7 Rings.”
“7 Rings” is set to the tune of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, with a more hip-hop twist on the classic beat. Grande makes reference to “My Favorite Things” in the track, singing “Lashes and diamonds, ATM machines/ Buy myself all of my favorite things.”
The song throws the idea of traditional pop music out, making way for a trap form of pop music. It’s new and refreshing, even with its recycling old beats.
Her lyrics reflect a wealthy lifestyle, focusing not only on the monetary aspect, but also being in charge and being powerful. She reflects this power in her own life and her strong vocals over the track further prove that.
Grande said via Twitter that the song is inspired by a tipsy night out with her six best friends, in which she bought matching engagement rings for everyone.
The song isn’t just about spending money, though. In the record, Grande points out that she’s had lots of problems recently, but they have helped her grow into a stronger individual. She says, “Been through some bad s***, I should be a sad b**** / Who would’ve thought it’d turn me to a savage?”
One thing she could be referencing includes Grande’s Manchester show during her Dangerous Woman Tour in 2017 being attacked by a suicide bomber. Also, last fall, her ex-boyfriend of two years, Mac Miller, died of an accidental drug overdose and Grande broke up with her fiancé, Pete Davidson.
Arguably her strongest part of the song is her mini-rap near the end, showing that Grande can compete with even those in mainstream hip-hop.
The music video is also a more hip-hop version of her aesthetic. Her normal neons, pastels and pinks are displayed up against a darker background with graffiti splattered across cars, and the fabulous, wealthy lifestyle is also portrayed through champagne stacks. Her best friends for whom she bought matching rings with are all featured in the video.
The song’s streaming numbers show Grande’s power as an artist. Since the song’s release, “7 Rings” has broken at least seven records, including Spotify’s 24-hour streaming record with almost 15 million streams, previously held by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” at 10.8 million and Spotify’s weekly global streaming record with 71.4 million streams, passing Drake’s 67.49 million streams for “In My Feelings.” The song also had YouTube’s biggest music video debut in 2019 so far, grossing 23.6 million views in one day.
“7 Rings” led to Grande becoming the youngest female to receive two number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and to her becoming the third female artist in history to have multiple number ones on the Hot 100.
Along with the positive reviews came negative ones, with people angered about Julie Andrew’s song being used as well as accusing Ariana of stealing black culture.
“7 Rings” is not the first song to sample Andrew’s classic. Big Brovaz’s “Favourite Things” took on a hip-hop remake of the song in 2002, somewhat similar to Grande’s, singing about diamonds and platinum rings.
Grande’s also had comparisons to Princess Nokia’s “Mine,” which caused Nokia to call out Grande for copying her style. The chorus of “Mine” repeats “It’s mine, I bought it,” while Grande’s song goes “I want it, I got it.” Fans of Nokia have also accused Grande of blackface on Twitter, for her tan complexion in the video.
As well as Nokia, listeners have also pointed out similar flows between “7 Rings,” Soulja Boy’s “Pretty Boy Swag” and 2 Chainz’s “Spend It.” When looking at these accusations of copying other artists, it’s important to note that a lot of songs sound like others. Soulja Boy and 2 Chainz have never had comparisons before Grande, yet Grande is accused of stealing while these artists, along with others, aren’t.
Grande’s song is a hit for a reason. It’s refreshing and powerful, even after all her personal trauma. “7 Rings” is a fight song for women everywhere to work for what they want, whether it be physical items or a happier state of mind.
forstena17@bonaventure.edu
