Ariana Grande went from being a teenage actress on both Broadway (13) and in children’s television (Victorious) to an up and coming Billboard topping musical artist.
Since the end of the Nickelodeon show Victorious in 2013, she quickly broke out into the mainstream music scene with her debut, double platinum album, Yours Truly.
This week she released her second studio album, My Everything, which has been number one on the charts since its release on Monday.
This album had been highly anticipated by the public due to the release of two top ten singles before the album was even dropped.
The album features work by Big Sean, A$AP Ferg, The Weekend, Childish Gambino, Jessie J, Nicki Manaj and, most notably, Zedd and Iggy Azalea.
This all-star feature line up shows how the music business is responding to Grande’s special talent and character.
Grande’s sophomore album has her fans thinking she is a lot older than she really is.
The 21-year-old pop star has grown since her first album in ways that highlight her professionalism and talent. She knows what she can do and she rocks it in the process.
Not only can she reach the notes, but she reaches everyone’s heart at the same time.
Her smooth R&B style voice can tackle anything from hip-hop to pop and everything in between; she even gives us an a capella track to start off the album.
Not only does her record reflect the grown up pop diva that she has become and will continue to be, but her live performances deliver the same amount of power and emotion behind her vocals as on her album.
Grande doesn’t stay true to one genre, although she is classified as pop. She mixes dance and pop and hip hop and R&B and even some jazz technique in her unique sound to make it exactly that: unique.
The album features several tracks that were made to be hits, and were. “Problem,” “Break Free,” and “Bang Bang” were all chart toppers before the album was even released. Other strong tracks include the Mariah Carey influenced, “Be My Baby.”
“Break Your Heart Right Back” is a track that features Childish Gambino and samples the Diana Ross classic, “I’m Coming Out.”
The title track of the album, “My Everything” is one of those times where Grande uses her voice to cut to the core of even the toughest of people. This ballad truly shows off her skill, style, personality, and heart. It is true for the rest of the album as well, which includes two bonus tracks.
Grande is no teen actress anymore; instead, she is a force to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to see how she progresses in the long career she has ahead of her.
