Ariana Grande Reflects on Her Time with Mac Miller and the Impact He Had on Her Early Career

Mac Miller and Ariana Grande in 2016.
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Ariana Grande Reflects on Mac Miller’s Impact on Her Music Career

In a recent master class at Chapman University in Orange, California, Ariana Grande reflected on the significant influence of late rapper Mac Miller on her musical journey. During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter for the Awards Chatter podcast, Grande, now 32, acknowledged how Miller, born Malcolm James McCormick, helped shape her distinctive pop-R&B sound in her early career.

Grande revealed that her collaboration with Miller on the 2013 hit single “The Way” was pivotal for her artistic development. The track, which blends pop with R&B elements, reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100, marking both artists’ first chart-topping success. “That’s also a part of why I was so eager to ask [Miller] to be a part of it,” Grande explained. “Not only because he was perfect for the song, but I also felt like I had him to thank for finding my sound.”

In a clip shared on TikTok, Grande expressed her gratitude, noting Miller paved the way for her to risk stepping into R&B-inspired pop music. “I’m very grateful for that,” she stated.

The duo further collaborated on Miller’s "My Favorite Part" and a remix of Grande’s "Into You," both released in 2016. Despite the time that has passed since “The Way” debuted, Grande has maintained her signature blend of pop and R&B in the seven studio albums that followed.

Mac Miller and Ariana Grande in 2018.

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Grande and Miller publicly confirmed their romantic relationship in September 2016, three years post their successful collaboration. They ended their two-year relationship in April 2018. Tragically, Miller passed away from an accidental overdose due to a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol on September 7, 2018, at the age of 26.

Since then, Grande has consistently honored Miller’s memory in her performances and through her music. Notably, she began her Sweetener tour by featuring his songs, and her track “thank u, next” includes heartfelt lyrics reflecting her gratitude towards him. On the 10th anniversary of “The Way,” she paid tribute to Miller on social media, sharing a nostalgic message with fans.

In a 2020 interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Grande praised Miller’s dedication to his craft, stating, “he was the kind of person who woke up and rolled into the studio.” She emphasized his commitment to music, highlighting how he poured every moment of his life into his artistry.