ARIANA GRANDE

Ariana Grande Might Be Deep In Her ‘Wicked’ Era, But She Was Willing To Hit The Studio For One Particular Friend

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ariana grande die for you
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Music Twitter is in a frenzy after The Weeknd teased what appeared to be a remix of his Starboy standout “Die For You” featuring the return of a long-absent pop diva.

The Toronto singer shared a TikTok video from none other than Ariana Grande, who apparently filmed herself recording vocals for the updated track. “Wrote and recorded a verse for my friend after a 14-hour day on set,” she wrote. “This certain exception had to be made…”

The exception, of course, was to record outside music while working on the film adaptation of Wicked, which is currently eating up the bulk of the 29-year-old singer’s schedule. However, she beat the “not a singer anymore” allegations with a glimmering “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” rendition for her TikTok followers.

Obviously, she’ll be doing a bit of singing in Wicked as Glinda (the “good witch”), but for now, she won’t be working on new music of her own until Wicked wraps and releases.

It’s very interesting that The Weeknd is choosing to remix a now-seven-year-old song, but it shows his awareness of trends; thanks to fans on TikTok, the song broke the Billboard Hot 100’s top ten in January, and has remained there ever since. It’s symbolic of the new era of music in which decades-old songs can crack the Hot 100 for the first time thanks to sci-fi shows and TikTok trends, and The Weeknd might just be showing his peers how best to capitalize on old tracks that become new hits.

We’ll see if the actual remix drops in the near future, but for now, this teaser offers just enough of a glimpse at what it could be to get fans excited.

Kali Uchis Reveals She And Ariana Grande Are Planning A Collaboration

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Kali Uchis Outsidelands 2022
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It may be a while before Ariana Grande puts out a follow-up to her sixth studio album, Positions. The “34+35” singer is hard at work on the film adaption of the stage musical, Wicked, in which, she will play Glinda the Good Witch.

The film will be released in two parts, the first in 2024, and the second in 2025.

Earlier this year, Grande admitted she hadn’t begun recording material for a seventh album, as she had been directing much of her energy toward Wicked, however, it appears she may already have some collaborations lined up once she’s ready to hit the booth again.

In a live stream on TikTok, Kali Uchis shared that she and Grande are planning to work together after Wicked wraps production.

“She’s not recording right now,” Uchis said, “because working on her movie stuff; her play that she’s doing… She said that when she’s done with that, we are going to work. I’m excited for that.”

While Wicked is sure to take some time, fans of Uchis can rest assured that new music is coming soon. In an interview with Vogue, Uchis revealed she has two albums underway; one in English, and one in Spanish.

“I just want to show all the different sides to me,” Uchis said, “and that I’m multi-dimensional when it comes to my music, my style, my everything. So I think it’s more about just having fun with it and letting my fans see and hear this other side of me that they never have before.”

Dua Lipa Ties Ariana Grande’s Major Spotify Record Among Female Artists

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Dua Lipa Roskilde Festival 2022
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Dua Lipa has been living up to her hit song “Levitating” over the last year and this latest achievement takes her to a different stratosphere. The 26-year-old has officially tied Ariana Grande for the most songs with over one billion streams among female artists. Dua and the Sweetener artist now share the throne with seven songs a piece.

Some of Dua Lipa’s records that aided in her achieving this feat include “One Kiss” with Calvin Harris, the PNAU remix to “Cold Heart” with Elton John, “Don’t Start Now,” “IDGAF,” and the aforementioned “Levitating” with received a remix by DaBaby soon after its release. In terms of RIAA certifications, her 2020 album Future Nostalgia and eponymous 2017 album are both certified Platinum. “Levitating” is four times Platinum, “One Kiss” is three times platinum, and “IDGAF” is two times Platinum.

Dua Lipa has been busy in 2022, appearing on Calvin Harris’ “Potion” with Young Thug and “Sweetest Pie” with Megan Thee Stallion. She reportedly told Elton John that her third album is “50% of the way there” and “is starting to feel good,” so she could very well knock Ariana Grande off of their shared pedestal until Grande releases her next album.

Check out the full list of Dua Lipa’s RIAA certifications here.

Dua Lipa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Kelly Clarkson Takes On The Weeknd And Ariana Grande’s ‘Save Your Tears’ For A ‘Kellyoke’ Cover

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Kelly Clarkson has carved out a space for herself in daytime television with The Kelly Clarkson Show, which she started hosting in 2019. (Perhaps the show will see increased popularity now that Ellen has officially ended its run.) Through it all, Clarkson has kept her musical roots front and center, partially with her “Kellyoke” segment, during which she covers popular songs.

On today’s episode, she went with The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Tears,” taking her rendition, as she often does, in a pop-rock direction more akin to the songs that define Clarkson’s own discography, like “Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes.”

Clarkson and Grande got to know each other better when they were both coaches on the most recent season of The Voice, the show’s 21st. During the season premiere, the two teamed up to duet on a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” Neither Clarkson nor Grande will return to coach on the show’s next season, though, but taking their places are Camila Cabello (in her first season as a coach) and Gwen Stefani (who is returning for her sixth season).

Meanwhile, The Weeknd has historically been all over the “Kellyoke” segment: Clarkson sang “Take My Breath” on the show just a few months ago and previously delivered renditions of “Call Out My Name” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” The Weeknd also dropped a Clarkson/The 40-Year-Old Virgin reference on his 2009 song “Birthday Suit,” singing, “Girl, you already know the best damn part is / Get you on your back, wax you like Kelly Clarkson.”

Watch Clarkson sing “Save Your Tears” above.

Pete Davidson Mentioned Kanye West And Ariana Grande During The ‘Weekend Update’ On ‘SNL’

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Last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live was also the last ever for Pete Davidson. Before the episode aired, the comedian announced that he would not be returning for the show’s 48th season along with other cast members including Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney. For his last appearance on SNL, Davidson went out with a bang. He conducted one last rap parody sketch, which was eventually interrupted by Eminem who asked demanded that he stop them. He also stopped by Weekend Update to deliver a sweet and self-deprecating farewell to SNL, but not without mentioning a couple of music names he’s been tied to.

Davidson sat with Weekend Update co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che and kicked things off by acknowledging the “millions of people only watching to see if I bring up Kanye.” This is of course in reference to his new relationship with Kim Kardashian following her divorce from Kanye West whom she was married to for seven years. Next, Davidson ran through some events that took place in his life during his time at SNL. One of them includes a phone call he made to SNL producer Lorne Michaels about his engagement to Ariana Grande.

“He always gives the best advice,” Davidson said. “I said, ‘Lorne, I just got engaged to Ariana Grande after dating for two weeks.’ He said, ‘Oh, hold on for dear life!’ It’s a true thing he said.”

You can watch Davidson’s appearance on Weekend Update in the video above.

Megan The Stallion, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, And So Many Others Sign A Pro-Roe V. Wade Ad

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Billie Eilish Olivia Rodrigo Variety's Hitmakers Brunch 2021
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As talk of an apparently impending overturn of Roe v. Wade spreads, people are using their influence to take action. Now, a bunch of musicians have come together to do just that, by attaching their names to a new full-page New York Times ad from Bans Off Our Bodies and Planned Parenthood.

The ad reads, “The Supreme Court is planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, taking away the constitutional right to abortion. Our power to plan our own futures and control our own bodies depends on our ability to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. We are Artists. Creators. Storytellers. We are the new generation stepping into our power. Now we are being robbed of our power. WE WILL NOT GO BACK — AND WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN.”

Below that are the names of 160 young artists who signed the ad. Some of the musicians who appear include Angel Olsen, Ariana Grande, Ashe, Ashnikko, Bethany Cosentino, Billie Eilish, Blu DeTiger, Camila Cabello, Cautious Clay, Clairo, Dave Burd (Lil Dicky), Demi Lovato, Dorian Electra, Finneas, Gayle, Grandson, Halsey, Hayley Kiyoko, Holly Humberstone, Karlie Kloss, Kelsey Lu, King Princess, Lauren Jauregui, Lauv, Lykke Li, Madison Beer, Megan Thee Stallion, Meghan Trainor, Miley Cyrus, Mitski, Noah Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Paramore, Phoebe Bridgers, Pink Sweats, Pom Pom Squad, Princess Nokia, Rebecca Black, The Regrettes, Rina Sawayama, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, Sunflower Bean, Tate McRae, Tinashe, Weyes Blood, and X Ambassadors.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation Of America, also offered a statement, saying, “Should the Supreme Court take away the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion, young people stand to lose the most. So many of us — who grew up with the understanding that Roe was settled law — could have never imagined that our own children would have fewer rights and less freedom over their own bodies and futures. What we see in young people from all walks of life is that they aren’t backing down — not today, not ever. Like the artists who signed on to this ad, their resolve to keep bans off their bodies is a source of hope during a dark time, and we are determined to keep fighting alongside them, for them.”

Check out the ad below.

Bans Off Our Bodies Roe v. Wade Ad 2022
Bans Off Our Bodies

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Weeknd Praises Ariana Grande’s Production Skills: ‘That Woman Is A Beast On Pro Tools’

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The Weeknd Ariana Grande iHeart 2021
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The Weeknd has been riding a wave of momentum since the January release of Dawn FM, but took a moment this weekend to reach further back into his past and offer praise to longtime collaborator Ariana Grande. “I’ve seen Ariana work in real time. That woman is a BEAST on pro tools,” he tweeted, piggybacking on talented producer Kenny Beats’ call for more discussion of women producers just several hours prior.

Weeknd and Grande have previously joined forces on the “Save Your Tears” remix, “Off The Table,” and “Love Me Harder,” so his familiarity with her abilities should come as no shock. The Positions artist is often just acknowledged for her vocal talent and acting career, thus learning she knows her way around Pro Tools as well only adds to her repertoire.

Beats’ original tweet highlighted Grande’s knack at comping vocals with 100 stacks, Rosalía’s engineering, King Princess’ versatility with instruments, and Doja Cat’s production. King Princess expressed her appreciation for the recognition from someone of his stature, echoing the sentiment that women along with LGBTQ+ and POC artists are regularly overlooked when it comes to production.

As women demand a larger presence in the music industry, it is important now more than ever to not box them in.