Ariana Grande Credits Mac Miller for Shaping Her Sound

Ariana Grande reflected on the profound influence of her late ex-boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, during a recent live discussion at Chapman University in Orange, California. The singer, speaking as part of a MasterClass panel with The Hollywood Reporter, credited Miller with encouraging her to blend R&B and pop elements in her music, a pivotal step in shaping her early sound.

Grande, 32, described Miller's role in her creative journey as transformative. "He was one of the first people who encouraged me to do the brave thing," she said, noting that his guidance inspired her to invite him to feature on her 2013 breakout single, "The Way," from her debut album, Yours Truly. "That's also a part of why I was so eager to ask him to be a part of it," she added. "Not only because he was perfect for the song, but I also felt like I had him to thank for finding my sound." The track, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, marked both artists' first top-10 hit and helped establish Grande's signature style.

Their professional collaboration extended beyond that initial project. In 2016, they reunited for a remix of Grande's song "Into You" and Miller's track "My Favorite Part," which...