Does Ariana Grande's "7 Rings" Copy 2 Chainz, Princess Nokia, or Soulja Boy?
Fans and critics online are questioning whether the pop singer plagiarized or paid homage to the three rappers.
Ariana Grande just released a new song, "7 Rings," and the internet is debating whether the pop singer plagiarized or paid homage to 2 Chainz, Princess Nokia, or Soulja Boy.
Princess Nokia posted a video on Twitter and Instagram suggesting Ariana Grande copied her flow and lyrics on the pop singer's new track "7 Rings."
In the video, the New York rapper says, "Sounds familiar to me," referencing her 2017 song "Mine." "Ain't that the little song I made about brown women and their hair? Sounds about white."
On "7 Rings" Ariana raps, "You like my hair? Gee, thanks. Just bought it."
On "Mine" Princess Nokia raps about black and brown hairstyles, saying "It's mine, I bought it. "
Some say Grande's track also sounds similar to 2 Chainz's 2011 song, "Spend It," in which he raps, "I'm riding 'round and I'm gettin' it / It's mine, I spend it."
On "7 Rings," Ariana raps, "I want it, I got it... I see it, I like it."
At one point in Grande's video, the camera zooms in on a pink wall with black graffiti painted "7 Rings," similar to the design of Atlanta's Pink Trap House, which 2 Chainz launched a campaign to preserve.
Twitter users reacted with their own takes.
\u201cEveryone fighting over the flow in "7 Rings" but I hear "Spend It." They're in the pink house! Tell me that's not a tribute to Chainz.\u201d— Craig Bro Dude (@Craig Bro Dude) 1547836787
\u201cthank you to the new ariana grande song for reminding me to listen to 2 chainz\u201d— speedy ortiz \u00f7 sad13 \u00f7 sadie dupuis \u00f7 haunted guy (@speedy ortiz \u00f7 sad13 \u00f7 sadie dupuis \u00f7 haunted guy) 1547830490
Some suggested Grande lifted Soulja Boy's 2010 "Pretty Boy Swag."
\u201cAriana Grande\u2019s #7Rings rides Soulja Boy\u2019s \u201cPretty Boy Swag\u201d wave while the video is plucked straight out of 2 Chainz\u2019s pink trap house. I just...idk \ud83d\ude10\u201d— Pusha Bi. (@Pusha Bi.) 1547830703
\u201c@princessnokia @ArianaGrande they both sound like pretty boy swag\u201d— RACHAN WEEK (@RACHAN WEEK) 1547833595
Check out the "7 Rings" music video and the comparisons above to judge for yourself.