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Posted on Sep 26, 2014

The Roots Of Ariana Grande

No not Victorious and Sam & Cat. On an Ariana Grande album, everything is based on something that’s based on something. And the original source material is often light years away from this new star.

by Daniel Margolis

Community Contributor

is based on the 1996 hit “Crush On You” by Lil’ Kim feat. Lil’ Cease. — youtube.com

is based on the 1996 hit “Crush On You” by Lil’ Kim feat. Lil’ Cease.

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is based on the 1996 hit “Crush On You” by Lil’ Kim feat. Lil’ Cease.

But that is based on the 1979 song “Rain Dance” by the Jeff Lorber Fusion; a combo fronted by a saxophonist whose work, fittingly, was later featured on a series of albums compiled by The Weather Channel. — youtube.com

But that is based on the 1979 song “Rain Dance” by the Jeff Lorber Fusion; a combo fronted by a saxophonist whose work, fittingly, was later featured on a series of albums compiled by The Weather Channel.

youtube.com

But that is based on the 1979 song “Rain Dance” by the Jeff Lorber Fusion; a combo fronted by a saxophonist whose work, fittingly, was later featured on a series of albums compiled by The Weather Channel.

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youtube.com

This is based on the 1998 hit “Still Not A Player” by Big Pun feat. Joe. Miller directly plays with this; rapping, in his opening verse, “I’m not a player I just…” and then covering his mouth as the line repeats in an echo. — youtube.com

This is based on the 1998 hit “Still Not A Player” by Big Pun feat. Joe. Miller directly plays with this; rapping, in his opening verse, “I’m not a player I just…” and then covering his mouth as the line repeats in an echo.

youtube.com

This is based on the 1998 hit “Still Not A Player” by Big Pun feat. Joe. Miller directly plays with this; rapping, in his opening verse, “I’m not a player I just…” and then covering his mouth as the line repeats in an echo.

But both songs’ signature piano was lifted from elsewhere; specifically “A Little Bit of Love” by singer-songwriter Brenda Russell’s 1979 debut album. — youtube.com

But both songs’ signature piano was lifted from elsewhere; specifically “A Little Bit of Love” by singer-songwriter Brenda Russell’s 1979 debut album.

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But both songs’ signature piano was lifted from elsewhere; specifically “A Little Bit of Love” by singer-songwriter Brenda Russell’s 1979 debut album.

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is based on Mary J. Blige’s 1992 breakout single, “Real Love.” — youtube.com

is based on Mary J. Blige’s 1992 breakout single, “Real Love.”

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is based on Mary J. Blige’s 1992 breakout single, “Real Love.”

the drum patterns of which were based on “Top Billin’” by Audio Two. — youtube.com

the drum patterns of which were based on “Top Billin’” by Audio Two.

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the drum patterns of which were based on “Top Billin’” by Audio Two.

And that track was based on the oft-sampled 1973 song “Impeach The President” by the Honey Drippers, who are so litigious they sued Frank Ocean for referencing’s Blige’s “Real Love” on his “Super Rich Kids,” despite that track not using their drum break at all. — youtube.com

And that track was based on the oft-sampled 1973 song “Impeach The President” by the Honey Drippers, who are so litigious they sued Frank Ocean for referencing’s Blige’s “Real Love” on his “Super Rich Kids,” despite that track not using their drum break at all.

youtube.com

And that track was based on the oft-sampled 1973 song “Impeach The President” by the Honey Drippers, who are so litigious they sued Frank Ocean for referencing’s Blige’s “Real Love” on his “Super Rich Kids,” despite that track not using their drum break at all.

youtube.com

youtube.com

is a slyly slowed-down take on the 1997 hit “Mo Money Mo Problems” by the Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase and Puff Daddy. — youtube.com

is a slyly slowed-down take on the 1997 hit “Mo Money Mo Problems” by the Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase and Puff Daddy.

youtube.com

is a slyly slowed-down take on the 1997 hit “Mo Money Mo Problems” by the Notorious B.I.G. feat. Mase and Puff Daddy.

which itself was based on Diana Ross’ 1980 hit “I'm Coming Out.” — youtube.com

which itself was based on Diana Ross’ 1980 hit “I'm Coming Out.”

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which itself was based on Diana Ross’ 1980 hit “I'm Coming Out.”

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a clear reference to De La Soul’s 1993 single “Breakadawn,” which began the same way. — youtube.com

a clear reference to De La Soul’s 1993 single “Breakadawn,” which began the same way.

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a clear reference to De La Soul’s 1993 single “Breakadawn,” which began the same way.

And that samples Michael Jackson’s 1979 song “I Can't Help It.” In August 2014, Grande became the first artist to occupy three of the top six slots on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart at once since Michael Jackson did so following his death in 2009. — youtube.com

And that samples Michael Jackson’s 1979 song “I Can't Help It.” In August 2014, Grande became the first artist to occupy three of the top six slots on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart at once since Michael Jackson did so following his death in 2009.

youtube.com

And that samples Michael Jackson’s 1979 song “I Can't Help It.” In August 2014, Grande became the first artist to occupy three of the top six slots on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart at once since Michael Jackson did so following his death in 2009.

So, duh, these are samples. But witness the deliberateness with which Grande’s producers mine from the 1990s and, by extension, the evidently fertile 1970s.
At the start of Grande’s “The Way,” Mac Miller casually remarks, “What we got to do right here is go back. Back into time.” In doing so, he paraphrased the start of the 1972 song “Troglodyte (Cave Man)” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch. — youtube.com

So, duh, these are samples. But witness the deliberateness with which Grande’s producers mine from the 1990s and, by extension, the evidently fertile 1970s.
At the start of Grande’s “The Way,” Mac Miller casually remarks, “What we got to do right here is go back. Back into time.” In doing so, he paraphrased the start of the 1972 song “Troglodyte (Cave Man)” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch.

youtube.com

So, duh, these are samples. But witness the deliberateness with which Grande’s producers mine from the 1990s and, by extension, the evidently fertile 1970s.
At the start of Grande’s “The Way,” Mac Miller casually remarks, “What we got to do right here is go back. Back into time.” In doing so, he paraphrased the start of the 1972 song “Troglodyte (Cave Man)” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch.

N.W.A. directly sampled this on their 1988 track “Gangsta Gangsta.” But N.W.A. didn’t toss the line out while taking Polaroids with a Nickelodeon starlet turned pop sensation. Castor (he of the titular Bunch) has since sued.
Daniel Margolis is a freelance writer based in Chicago. — youtube.com

N.W.A. directly sampled this on their 1988 track “Gangsta Gangsta.” But N.W.A. didn’t toss the line out while taking Polaroids with a Nickelodeon starlet turned pop sensation. Castor (he of the titular Bunch) has since sued.
Daniel Margolis is a freelance writer based in Chicago.

youtube.com

N.W.A. directly sampled this on their 1988 track “Gangsta Gangsta.” But N.W.A. didn’t toss the line out while taking Polaroids with a Nickelodeon starlet turned pop sensation. Castor (he of the titular Bunch) has since sued.
Daniel Margolis is a freelance writer based in Chicago.

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