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Ariana Grande enlists southern rapper 2 Chainz for the remix of her number one hit single, “7 Rings.” The original trumps the remix.

“Been through some bad shit, I should be a sad bitch / Who woulda thought it’d turn me to a savage?” Damn, you’ve gotta love that hella fierce, standout lyric from “7 Rings”. Surprisingly, Grammy-nominated Ariana Grande returns with her fifth studio album, Thank U, Next (February 10, 2019), less than a year after releasing Sweetener in 2018.  After releasing singles “Thank U, Next”, “Imagine”, and the aforementioned “7 Rings,” Grande drops the “7 Rings (Remix)” featuring 2 Chainz.

For the most part, the remix of “7 Rings” is similar to the original.  As previously penned in the review of the original single, the record features moody production from the onset – dark, enigmatic, and set in a minor key. Notably, the record lifts from the melody of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music.  Sleek, hip-hop oriented cues are in full throttle during the addictive, instantly catchy chorus (more on that later). Ariana Grande is confident AF on the pre-chorus and chorus sections. The chorus is simple, but effective.

“My ideas are priceless, I know I’m the nicest / I knew you would like this, I must be psychic…” Where the big change comes on “7 Rings (Remix)” is the elimination of the second verse by Ariana Grande.  2 Chainz replaces the diva, taking a similar, melodic approach.  2 Chainz definitely isn’t the best singer, autotuned or not, yet, the vibe can’t be knocked.  Does he ultimately supersede the original second verse? No, but again, the vibe…

“It’s mine, invest it (Uh); I spend it on necklace (Uh)
I got the cash if I don’t get credit (Uh)
And I’m well respected so she feel protected
So scratch all the exes (Ex), it’s next like contestants (Woo)
…See, you didn’t expect this, you think like a robot
I put bands in yo face like Botox.”

Final Thoughts 

To reiterate (from the original review), the biggest takeaway about any Ariana Grande record are the vocals.  As always, she delivers vocals that are on-point, exhibiting a superb tone.  Also, reiterating, the ‘vibe’ of the remix is the biggest attribute, aside from Grande’s vocals.  2 Chainz isn’t profound, but as always, he’s ‘true to self.’ Take that for what it is.  The original wins though.

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Ariana Grande • 7 Rings (Remix) (Ft. 2 Chainz) [Single] • Republic • Release: 1.18.19

Photo Credit: Republic