Ariana Grande may be best known for her angelic R&B hits. But back in 2018, the star performed a totally unexpected cover of Thundercat’s funk track “Them Changes,” which shook fans to their core, while showing off a brand new side to the pop star.
Ariana’s Live Lounge cover has since gone viral over on YouTube, racking up over 4.6 million views to date and 113,000 likes. Watch Ariana’s incredible cover in the video below!
“Them Changes” claimed fame with its unbelievable basslines, topped with smooth vocals and a fresh, summery feel. Ariana’s soft and soulful R&B vocals are a perfect match for this hit, tenderly laid over the band’s erratic funk-fusion soundscape and delivered with a flawless sense of ease.
Never heard of this Thundercat hit before? Music Man readers can check out the original song and its official music video in the clip below!
Ariana’s natural vocal talent takes the spotlight in this cover. This isn’t a glammed-up festival gig backed by twenty backing dancers, screen visuals, and countless other distractions – it’s a raw studio take with Ariana slaying the show in a baggy jumper and tracksuit bottoms, as if she’s just rolled out of bed and rocked up to the Live Lounge for a legendary and totally unfiltered performance.
Her bright vocals are pitch-perfect, styled to complement the quirky track as if it were her own creation. And her live band is just as brilliant, despite the bassist chickening out of Thundercat’s insane basslines by splitting the hectic melodies among his bandmates.
This wasn’t the only track Ariana performed during this 2018 stint in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. She also performed her then-latest singles “God Is A Woman,” “No Tears Left To Cry,” and “R.E.M,” all featured on her 2018 album, “Sweetener.”
Fans of this viral vid can’t get over how impeccably Ariana’s voice matches the funk genre, with one top commenter writing “Ariana, we’re gonna need a funk album, sweetie” to the tune of 12,000 likes.
Other fans have confirmed, “It’s crazy how her voice can fit every type of music,” and, “She has such a great voice. I wish she made like neo soul or like jazzy music cause her voice fits it so well. I feel pop is so bland for her wonderful voice.”
Arianators have uncovered the hidden story behind her song choice, with multiple viewers speculating about the secret links between “Them Changes,” Thundercat, and Ariana’s late boyfriend Mac Miller, who had passed away earlier in 2018.
YouTube’s pop detectives have revealed: “Don’t know if y’all know this but ‘Them Changes’ was one of Mac Miller’s favourite songs by Thundercat,” with another top commenter positing, “Thundercat was a good friend and worked with Mac a lot. Liked to think that’s why she chose this song.”