Ariana Grande - thank u, next

Ariana Grande's fifth album thank u, next came in the wake of personal tragedy and turmoil. In September 2018, Ariana's ex-boyfriend Mac Miller died of a drug overdose months, just weeks after her fourth album Sweetener was released. She ceased all promotion and camped out at a New York recording studio with her closest friends and collaborators, including Victoria Monet, Tommy Brown, Tayla Parx and Max Martin.

Thank u, next rewrote the industry rule book for main pop girl releases while asserting Ariana as a storyteller. The frank lyricism, conversational tone and self-deprecating humour combined with less polished production set the tone for the next decade of pop. The real-time release strategy and Hollywood production music videos lead to Ari breaking many chart and streaming records (first solo artist to tie The Beatles' very big Billboard record!). However, accusations of blackfishing and cultural appropriation throughout the era have tainted its legacy. How does the thank u, next era hold up in 2025?

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00.33 Why thank u, next?

02.28 Were we into Ariana Grande before this era?

06.55 How the Manchester bombings changed the sound of Sweetener

10.00 What was charting in 2018?

12.58 Ariana and Mac Miller's relationship timeline

14.48 How thank u, next began

16.03 thank u, next - first single release

18.07 Naming her ex-boyfriends on the song

24.07 Colleen Ballinger in the thank u, next music video?

29.25 imagine - promotional single

33.05 7 rings - second single release

39.08 Copyright, blackfishing and cultural appropriation accusations

42.22 7 rings music video and blackfishing

46.08 break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored - third single release

50.42 Queerbaiting allegations in 'break up' music video

55.09 thank u, next - album release

01.02.00 ghostin - the song she never wanted to be released

01.10.00 Coachella 2019 headline shows

01.11.00 Sweetener World Tour

01.14.00 2019 singles with Social House, Normani, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey

01.18.00 2019 GRAMMYs - Ariana gets snubbed!

01.23.00 Diva Dictionary

01.24.00 Diva Diploma - Our rating of the thank u, next era

We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.

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