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Ariana Grande

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Ariana Grande was born in 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida. As a child she already performed in musicals such as Annie and sang with orchestras. At fifteen she appeared on Broadway in the musical 13, and after that she became known as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon series Victorious and Sam & Cat. Her dream was to make an R&B album, and at Republic Records she got that chance.

Music and breakthrough

Her debut Yours Truly (2013) was pop and R&B with a nod to the past. On My Everything (2014) and Dangerous Woman (2016) she added electronics; hits such as Problem, Break Free, Bang Bang, Into You and Side to Side came from those albums. Personal setbacks coloured Sweetener (2018) and thank u, next (2019), which feature trap beats and hits such as thank u, next and 7 rings. Then followed Positions (2020), the danceable eternal sunshine (2024) and the electronic petal (2026). She also played Glinda in the film Wicked.

Influence

Grande is known for her four-octave vocal range, up into the high whistle register. Many of her big hits came about with Swedish hitmakers such as Max Martin, who also worked for Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. In this way she fits into the line of the modern hit factory: a strong voice, a team of experienced writers and producers, and songs built down to the smallest detail to stick in the mind.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Problem. Notice the short saxophone riff that keeps coming back, and the whispered line from a male voice in the chorus. Hear how Grande lets her voice climb above it.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists