By Karen Alvarado
You have got to be living under a rock not to know that Ariana Grande is simply the female singer of the moment. Though we’re only a month into 2019, the Floridian singer is nailing the year thanks to the success of her two latest singles: “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings.”
2018 was a tough year for Grande on a personal level, but 2019 offers a bigger, better, tougher version of Ariana. She has shown through her music that she’s a fighter who is not afraid to make mistakes, speak her mind, and grow into a better version of herself. How do I know this? Well, here are seven reasons why 2019 is Ariana Grande’s best year in her career so far:
1 – She’s ready to outgrow the pop industry
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ariana Grande stated that she’s fed up with the way the music industry demands an artist to drop new music, as if it were a part of a line of mass production: six months of recording and writing, six months of promotion, six months of awards season… And there they go into than endless vortex. But, she’s not having it. She’s going to release an album whenever she wants it and however she wants it. She wants to handle her career the way male rappers do: at her own pace and and on her own terms. Proof of this is that there’s a six-month difference between her studio albums Sweetener (2018) and the upcoming Thank U, Next (2019).
2 – The Sweetener Tour
Though the official name of the tour is the Sweetener World Tour, Ariana Grande will promote her two latest studio albums. The tour will begin on March 18th in Albany, New York. As of now, the tour consists of 80 shows through 16 countries.
3 – Coachella Headliner
Did we mention that as part of her tour she will be headliner at Coachella? Yes, she saw it, she liked it, she wanted it, and now she’ll make you buy it. Ariana Grande will join Beyoncé and Madonna as some of the few female pop singers to have made it as headliners at the most anticipated music festival in the US.
4 – Member of the Holy Trinity
After killing the charts with “Thank U, Next” (489 million streams on Spotify and 282 million views on YouTube), Grande snatches the coveted number 1 on Billboard again with “7 Rings.” Her latest two tracks have put pop music at the top once again after a 10-month run of hip-hop singles. Also, she became the third female vocalist to have two consecutive No. 1’s on Billboard, something only Britney Spears and Mariah Carey could brag about.
5 – This time it’s about me, myself, and I
After a rough year that involved intense media scrutiny following the passing of her rapper ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and her very public breakup with Pete Davidson, her latest tracks reflect the importance of getting some quality “me time.” Also, her stand on not being victimized for the way she decides to live her personal life has turned her into an example for young people around the world. If you are in great company with yourself, why bother finding someone else?
6 – Self-love and empowerment
Ariana has channeled her music and lyrics on the importance of being true to oneself, on paying no attention to haters, and that it is crucial to love and care about the most important person you have: yourself. She invites her fans to use their voice, to be clever, and to own their sexuality. There’s nothing to apologize for when you do everything with love and respect for others and yourself.
7 – Who would have thought she’d turned into a savage?
Ariana Grande’s tribute of “My Favorite Things” from the The Sound of Music (1965) is perhaps one of the boldest, wildest, and catchiest songs in her career. She’s not afraid of experimenting with new music styles and lines; she even went “all or nothing” with her brief empowerment rap: You had a hard time? Then make it count! You haven’t found Mr. Right? Who cares when you can have lots of fun! Have you been feeling blue lately? Well, maybe it’s time to make retail therapy your newest addiction.
Here are some things we who love Ariana know: she’s without a doubt one of the greatest pop singers of the decade, she refuses to be part of the machinery of the music industry, she’s not afraid to try new things, to make mistakes, and to live life to the fullest. We just have to wait for Thank, U Next album to be available for streaming on February 8th to see what other lessons she’s going to teach us.
Pictures @arianagrande
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