How a 1990s throwback sound launched Ariana Grande to the top
In short: Before she became a global pop titan, Ariana Grande spent two years crafting a debut that defied modern trends. By blending 1950s doo-wop with 1990s R&B, she created a retro-inspired masterpiece that secured her a spot as a rare number-one debut artist.
Released on August 30, 2013, by Republic Records, Yours Truly was the result of nearly two years of intensive recording. The project was born from Grande's desire to move away from the genre of her earlier single "Put Your Hearts Up" and instead embrace the urban pop and 1990s music she grew up listening to. This stylistic pivot led to a record that split its identity: the first half served as a throwback to 1990s R&B, while the second half was designed to be entirely original and unique to her own songwriting.
The album's sonic architecture is a complex blend of eras. It incorporates 1950s piano pop and doo-wop, alongside 1990s hip hop and R&B influences. This retro approach was not without friction; while some critics, like Pitchfork's Andrew Ryce, felt the 90s hip-hop soul vibe sat awkwardly with the doo-wop songwriting, others, like PopMatters' Scott Interrante, praised the effortless blending of these disparate tropes. The production featured a diverse roster of collaborators, including Harmony Samuels, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Leon Thomas III.
The commercial impact was immediate. Yours Truly debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling over 138,000 units in its first week. With this feat, Grande became the fifteenth woman to reach number one on her inaugural studio album. The success was bolstered by the lead single "The Way," which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, and the second single "Baby I," which reached number 21. The album's enduring popularity was reflected in its presence on the Billboard 200 year-end charts for both 2013 and 2014.
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