With the bite and grit of a woman scorned, Lady Gaga’s comeback single was released last week to much fanfare – mostly because Kevin Parker and Mark Ronson co-wrote and produced it. Though the song itself has received mixed feedback from critics and fans alike (a lot of people seem to be overlooking the fact that it is Gaga’s song and will be on her upcoming fifth album when they screech “less Gaga! More Kevin!” but I digress), it’s a clever career move for all involved. The Tame Impala mastermind recently told Triple J about his thought process when the offer first came up: “It was amazing, really really good. One of those life/career-defining times. It started out sort of like a career move. Like, ‘I’ll get in on that.’ But it quickly became something so personal and so meaningful for everyone involved. I’m just happy it’s all out in the open now. Now I can not tell secrets anymore.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB94lvJbETE

And he isn’t the only one. A pop collaboration of such a magnitude can breathe new life into a career, boost a newer artist into the spotlight, bring two (or more!) distinctive voices together, help one make the transition from boy/girl band into solo super stardom. Or, it can fail miserably and fizzle out. Here, we take a look ten other life/career defining (for better or for worse) pop collaborations of recent memory – from Gaga to Gwen, there have been a few.

Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDdjwpPM3Y

A Lady Marmalade for the 2010s, Bang Bang had it all. The seasoned, jazzy vocals of Jessie J’s are bolstered by those of the current princess of pop, Ariana Grande. However perhaps the most important element of all, and something that could be considered a genre all it’s own, the track features what is known as Nicki’s Verse. Once again, Minaj steals the show, to the tune of a wildly energetic rhythm and immediately infectious earworm riff.

Lady Marmalade – Lil’ Kim, Christina Aguilera, Mya & Pink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puKhmJEIw3I

You can’t mention Bang Bang without Lady Marmalade, the last great multi-female pop-rap collab. Originally released in 1974, it was always intended to be performed by a vocal ensemble. However, upon featuring on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, it this version will forever endure as The One when it comes to pop collabs. Having sat at no. 1 for five weeks after its release, you would have thought it was written with no one other than Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink and Lil’ Kim in mind.

The Boy is Mine – Brandy & Monica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1Y6uAgNJY

So iconic was this Brandy and Monica collaboration that it’s recently been given the sample treatment along with Destiny’s Child. Nothing beats the original though: two fierce as fuck women in what at first seems to be a girl-hating anthem but turns out to be an exposé of a good for nothing, two timing cheater. Honestly, with the way their voices work together on The Boy Is Mine, it’s a wonder Monica and Brandy didn’t release an entire album together, Then again, too much of a good thing may have meant have taken away some of the shine.

Telephone – Lady Gaga & Beyoncé

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U

Kevin Parker isn’t the only major artist who saw an opportunity in collaborating with Lady Gaga. This 2010 hookup resulted in one of the biggest, most important pop collaborations of both artist’s careers. Originally written by Gaga for one Britney Spears, the song was released as part of Gaga’s Grammy nominated album The Fame Monster the year before Bey dropped 4. It pushed Beyoncé into a new light, everything from her double time verse to the masterpiece of a music video were highly calculated moves that helped her build upon the Sasha Fierce attitude while bringing together two pop powerhouses who might have otherwise seemed to be on opposing sides of the genre.

My Boo – Usher & Alicia Keys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPgf2meEX1w

Originally left off the final track listing to the record, My Boo was leaked online along with three other previously unreleased tracks from Usher’s 2004 the album before being added to the expanded version of Confessions. Having previously collaborated with Alicia Keys on If I Ain’t Got You, producer Jermaine Dupri wanted to tap further into the musical relationship between two of the biggest names in r&b and pop at the time and to say it worked out well would be an understatement.  It went on to be the fourth single from the album and was the highest debut of them all, coming in at number twenty nine upon its release.

Where Are Ü Now – Justin Bieber, Shrillex & Diplo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nntGTK2Fhb0

Justin Bieber, Pop’s comeback kid of 2015 knows a thing or two about collaborations. He’s worked with Queen Nicki and his 2015 album featured Big Sean, Halsey and Travi$ Scott to name but a few. Commercially however, one of the biggest standout pop collabs of the past year came from his partnering with Shrillex and Diplo for the second single from the duo’s debut album. The song blew up airwaves (including a brief moment where Justin Bieber was actually aired on triple J) before it went on to be included on Bieber’s Purpose. Officially marking his return, Where Are U Now almost singlehandedly reintroduced the world to the slick, new, adult Biebs that went on to cultivate an entire new generation of fans. 

California Gurls – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4

Snoop has had his fair share of collabs – we could have made a list with his alone. However, of recent memory, his appearing on Katy Perry‘s California Gurls sticks out as one of the most wtf collaborations conjured up by executives somewhere no doubt. Still, something about it worked because it earned Perry her second US no. 1 hit and Snoop his third as it went on to reach the top spot in ten other countries and received a Grammy nod. 

Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake & Jay Z

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsUsVbTj2AY

Marking the end of his musical hiatus, Suit & Tie was the first single off Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience – a critically acclaimed commercial juggernaut of an album that sparked a near two-year tour. The Jay Z-featuring Suit & Tie surpassed Timberlake’s own record for the most sales in its first week, with the slightly out of time beat and hazed-out drawl of a song sticking around as the hit of what seemed to be the entire year.

Dilemma – Nelly & Kelly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYHDfJDPDc

Off Nelly’s album 2001 Nellyville and the lead single from Kelly Rowland’s debut solo album, Simply Deep, released later the same year, this track won the duo a Grammy award. While Rowland’s career hasn’t reached the heights of her fellow child of destiny, Beyoncé, this was the track that showed her to be much more than essentially a featured backup singer for Bey’s. While Beyoncé has her plethora of collaborations and Michelle sings the Lord’s praise in her new career as a gospel singer, neither can stake claim on Dilemma, practically the most enduring collaboration track of the early 2000s with a (now meme-worthy) video to go along with it. I.C.O.N.I.C.

Let Me Blow Ya Mind/and Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani & Eve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt88GMJmVk0

During her early-mid-2000s peak, Eve was nothing short of a collab-extraordinaire. But if there was one partnership that proved to be a cut above the rest, it was when she hopped on a track with No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani. Off Eve’s sophomore album, Let Me Blow Ya Mind gave us the first insight into what was truly a match made in pop heaven (or maybe it was hell, because that video was badass AF for the time, even if you did wonder what happened to Gwen’s car once Dre broke the duo out of jail). They followed it up three years later on Stefani’s debut solo album, the Dr Dre produced track Rich Girl. While it was fun and easy enough to go along with, the song (a last minute addition to Stefani’s Love. Angel. Music. Baby) didn’t come anywhere near reaching the bar set with let Me Blow Ya mind.

Image: Consequence of Sound

Last year, Ariana Grande made headlines over footage captured of the Dangerous Woman singer licking donuts in a tray on the counter of a store called Wolfee Donuts, proclaiming “I hate America.” How could anyone forget?

Ariana Grande, pastry terrorist. Image: TMZ

Ariana Grande, pastry terrorist. Image: TMZ

Now, WikiLeaks have released thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee, among which was found a detailed email chain showing that this incident cost Grande a performance at The White House.

In the emails, Grande is vetted for a potential concert. The remarkably detailed research then outlines the incident in incredible detail, making mention of her licking the donuts “maliciously,” and noting that no criminal charges will be filed. It also goes on to talk about how she stood up for her gay half-brother, who was the recipient of online criticism.

Initially giving her a pseudonym – Ariana Butera – the vet is summarised by explaining that, “video caught her licking other peoples’ donuts while saying she hates America; Republican Congressman used this video and said it was a double standard that liberals were not upset with her like they are with Trump who criticized Mexicans; cursed out a person on Twitter after that person used an offensive word towards her brother.”

The conclusion? “Nope, sorry.”

grande24f-1-web

Recently, Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monae both performed at the White House’s 4th July celebrations – so it’s safe to assume that neither party have been busy licking donuts that weren’t theirs to lick. At least not in public, anyway.

You can read the entire transcript below, via Gawker.

Hello everyone,

Finance would like to use Ariana Grand as a performer for the Gala.

Thanks, Kevin

Ariana Butera-video caught her licking other peoples’ donuts while saying she hates America; Republican Congressman used this video and said it was a double standard that liberals were not upset with her like they are with Trump who criticized Mexicans; cursed out a person on Twitter after that person used an offensive word towards her brother.

4605 NW 24th Ave Boca Raton, FL 33431

DOB: 6/1993

Employer/Occupation: Self Singer

NGP Notes: None

NGP Vet History: None

CONTRIBUTIONS: None

EVENTS: None

LOBBYIST/DOJ FARA: No

EARMARKS/TARP/ARRA: None

LIENS: No

JUDGMENTS: None

BANKRUPTCIES: None

CRIMINAL RECORDS: None

LEXIS-NEXIS NEWS SEARCH: Yes

*No criminal charges for Grande after doughnut licking video: “It brought on two long YouTube apologies, but Ariana Grande’s doughnut licking video won’t lead to criminal charges.

Police in Lake Elsinore, California said in a statement Monday that the owner of Wolfee Donuts, where the licking took place, declined to press charges against Grande. They say their investigation was primarily to help the Department of Health, which lowered the restaurant’s grade from an “A” to a “B” for leaving the tray of doughnuts exposed.

In the second of her two YouTube apologies posted last week, the 22-year-old singer said she was “disgusted” with herself and wanted to “disappear” after TMZ posted the video.

In another online apology earlier in the week she expressed regret at saying “I hate America” in the same video.” (The San Mateo Daily Journal-July 15, 2015)

* Police investigating Ariana Grande’s video doughnut licking: “Police said Wednesday they were investigating video that appears to show Ariana Grande licking doughnuts at a shop in Southern California. Earlier, Grande apologized for saying “I hate America” in the same video.

Police in Lake Elsinore, where the doughnut shop is located, said they and Riverside County public health officials were investigating the leaked video, which appeared to show the 22-year-old singer and a man with her “maliciously lick” the doughnuts.

Mayra Solis, 22, a cashier on duty at Wolfee Donuts when Grande went into the store, said the singer didn’t purchase any of the doughnuts she licked.

“She was really rude,” Solis told The Associated Press.

Earlier Wednesday, Grande said in a statement to the AP that she’s a proud American.

“I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my country. What I said in a private moment with my friend, who was buying the doughnuts, was taken out of context and I am sorry for not using more discretion with my choice of words,” the statement read.

In the video posted Tuesday by TMZ, Grande says “What … is that? I hate Americans. I hate America” when a tray of doughnuts appears in front of her.

Grande said she chose to express herself as she did because she leads a healthy lifestyle and is upset with “how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences.”

“The fact that the United States has one of the highest child obesity rates in the world frustrates me. We need to do more to educate ourselves and our children about the dangers of overeating and the poison that we put into our bodies,” she said. “However I should have known better in how I expressed myself; and with my new responsibility to others as a public figure I will strive to be better.”

Asked about the police investigation, Grande’s representatives said she would not have further comment.

Dottie Ellis-Merki, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, said the agency was investigating why the doughnuts were left out unprotected and exposed to the public, in violation of state food laws. She said investigators found no further issues at the shop on Wednesday.

“During the investigation, the manager did state they normally don’t leave donuts out like was shown in the video,” Ellis-Merki said in an email to the AP. “The employee went to the back to retrieve freshly made donuts by request of the customer and left the trays out while getting other trays.” (Associated Press Online-July 9, 2015)

* Ariana Grande blasts fan for homophobic remark about brother: “Pop star ARIANA GRANDE has lashed out at a fan for posting a homophobic remark about her gay half-brother on her Instagram.com page.

Frankie Grande initially hid the fact he is related to the singer/actress by adopting his father’s last name of Marchione when he signed on for the current season of U.S. reality show Big Brother, but he has since come clean about his connection to Grande.

His tactics drew a number of negative comments from social media users, and one in particular caught the Problem hitmaker’s eye after the fan referred to Frankie as “that homo” in the comments section of her Instagram profile page.

Blasting the follower, the 21 year old reportedly wrote, “That ‘homo’ is the fiercest, most incredible, funniest, most intelligent, kind hearted and most LOVED person on the face of the planet!

“he also cleaned up his game and told the truth to everybody in the house WHICH by the way, nobody else on the show has done. so i don’t give a flying f**k if or when he comes home!!! he is incredible and i am SO proud!!!! oh and also ‘that homo’ gets more a** than you’ll ever get in your life. k miss thing ?” (Daily Star Online-August 13, 2014)

INTERNET: Yes

YouTube video of the donut and hate America incident

* Ariana Grande Getting Off Easier Than Donald Trump, GOP Congressman Says: “A Republican congressman from South Carolina is calling out America’s “double standards” for not bashing Ariana Grande the way it has Donald Trump.

Jeff Duncan said in a Facebook post Saturday he was curious why companies TV networks such as NBC, Univision and ESPN, and other businesses such as record labels and concert venues have not had any response to the recent leak of a video showing the 22-year-old Grande licking donuts and saying, “I hate America.”

Meanwhile, those companies were “mighty quick to jump on the ‘bash Donald Trump’ bandwagon when he spoke about illegal aliens and ‘sanctuary city’ policies,” Duncan wrote.

When announcing his presidential candidacy, Trump said that Mexican migrants to the U.S. are drug traffickers and rapists, as well as “some … good people.” And, since, he has gone on to defend these statements, while losing millions of dollars in sponsorships and other business opportunities.

“This misguided young pop singer said that she hated America and hated Americans, while she proceeded to contaminate food for resale with the very tongue with which she uttered the hatred rant,” Duncan’s post continued. “The double-standards in this country are disgusting.”

Grande has apologized several times for the incident.” (billboard.com-7/13/2015)

Image: AV Club

The Billboard Music Awards are done and dusted for another year, and once again brought the goods when it comes to live performances from music’s biggest and (sometimes) best. We’ve checked out all the videos from the show, and narrowed it down to the 5 must see sets. Check them out below!

Rihanna

I have only four words for you: Bad. Gal. Ri. Ri. She absolutely killed it! Her passionate, heart-wrenching ballad taken from her opus, ANTI, titled Love On The Brain was a gentle push on the break pedal from the other high intensity, full throttle performances, and provided a rare glimpse into the other side of Rihanna. A simple set up with a green background, RiRi stood behind a mic stand as she belted out her song, wearing green fur similar to her memorable Bitch Better Have My Money performance with the helicopter at last year’s iHeartRadio music awards. It’s a stunning performance, and definitely the best of the night.

Britney Spears

The Princess of Pop reclaimed her throne at the BBMAs this year, with a medley of her greatest hits effortlessly pulled off. The child star-turned-pop-icon-turned-example-of-what-not-to-do-when-you’re-famous-turned-icon-again showed everyone why she is one of the world’s biggest pop artists ever, with a mix of songs including everything from Toxic to Womanizer to Work Bitch. Dance routines and a back up crew cutting all kinds of shapes, as well as multiple costume changes and an exciting light show started things off with a bang this year, and served as a not so gentle reminder that it’s Britney, bitch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZG9bttWuFo

Ariana Grande

Having just released her sensational new album, Dangerous Woman on Friday last week, Ariana seized the opportunity to show off some new material. Performing a mash up of title track Dangerous Woman and new single Into You, she showcased her incredible set of pipes in front of a gaggle of back up dancers, performing her sexually powerful and self-assertive new tunes with so much confidence it almost came off as nonchalant. Stepping up her musical capabilities as well as her femme-fatale attitude, Ariana killed it from start to finish here. We’re predicting Into You to be absolutely everywhere soon.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has been thrust onto the world stage for the last 6+ months thanks to his “comeback” album, Purpose and the huge amount of certified bangers on it, and whilst in the past he hasn’t exactly given his live performances his all, this time around he looked raring to go. Complete with back up dances, an elaborate stage set up, jets of fire and an insane light show, Biebs was back to administer another dosage of Bieber Fever at the BBMAs. Performing Sorry and Company, two stand out tunes on his album, he showed everyone that the comeback is far from over, and reaffirmed the fact that we are also far from being over it. Yassss Bieber!

Kesha

This performance almost didn’t happen, so the fact that Kesha did in fact get up on stage with Ben Folds to perform a cover of Bob Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe was a very big win for an artist who just can’t catch a break. After months of emotionally exhausting court cases to free her from a contract with her alleged abuser, Dr Luke, and having her case consequently thrown out, the music world has rallied around Kesha to hear her and what she’s trying to say, and this jaw-dropping performance showed that although she isn’t in a good place, there is still light at the end of the tunnel for her. Here’s hoping she sees justice soon.

Image: BGR

If you need any more proof that there really are great role models within the music industry, this is it.

Time’s list of the Top 100 Most Influential People for this year has been released with plenty of artists joining the ranks.

Among them were Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Each person had a mini-essay written about them by another important person in society, honouring them with some words about their personal impact and their overall influence.

Below are extracts from a few examples.

Activist Alicia Garza spoke about Lamar in ways that speak on behalf of many of us:

“The first time I heard To Pimp a Butterfly was on a crowded plane heading to Jackson, Miss. With headphones on, there I was, bobbing my head and having audible conversations with myself because that album made me feel—moved and troubled, challenged, uplifted, angry, skeptical and raw. Far from creating “conscious rap,” Kendrick Lamar has evolved a new genre of movement music that asserts no answers but raises hard questions and brings us together to take them on.”

Lil Wayne wrote these words of admiration for Minaj:

“She’s reached far beyond everything I would have imagined. Man, she’s so influential and doing all the right things. She’s an icon, a boss and a role model to all these young girls out here on how to do it the right way. Her work ethic speaks volumes and has yielded these results. The scary thing is she’s still going. Ha!”

While actress Jennifer Lawrence poured her heart out for Adele:

“Growing up. Changing in some ways and being stuck forever in others. Being so young with the most successful career in the world. She says, “I wish I could live a little more, look up to the sky, not just the floor.” The way she is able to capture herself, and then in turn us, has turned her into a star that’s not a star we look at, but a giant star with its own gravity that we are drawn to. All of this about her lyrics, and I haven’t even gotten started on the voice—how could I? It’s once-in-a-lifetime. All this about her voice and I won’t have time to talk about her intelligence. Her 500-year-old wisdom. Her patience and kindness all wrapped up in the tough skin of a damn gangster.”

See the full list of the Most Influential People on Time’s website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRK7PVJFbS8

Image: Danielle Hansen

Somehow escaping from the clutches of the horrifying world of teen sitcoms, Ariana Grande has managed to forge a successful music career, while also paving the way for her inevitable transition into the regular rotation of Saturday Night Live hosts. However before she ascends to that most auspicious calling she has a few sexist trolls to deal with.

According to Billboard, after the release of the video to her new song Dangerous Woman, the inevitable slut-shaming began, with a Facebook user criticising her look in the video, saying: “Ariana all respect, but dangerous woman I loved but the trouble is that in he video salts like a whore!.. sorry for the rudeness, I only just said the truth…. SORRY”

Of course it’s the truth if it comes from someone anonymous – where would the world be if these brave people didn’t shine a light on things that would only pass in the darkness forever holding back the human race?

Like a consummate professional – she’s done this not once but twice already – she responded with her very own truth bomb:

“When will people stop being offended by women showing skin / expressing sexuality? men take their shirts off /express their sexuality on stage, in videos, on Instagram, anywhere they want to… all. the. time. the double standard is so boring and exhausting. with all due respect, i think it’s time you get your head out of your ass. ♡ woman can love their bodies too!! ♡”

You can check out what all the fuss was about in the Dangerous Woman video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbCfHutDSE

Photo: GQ Magazine

Pop powerhouse Ariana Grande has finally officially released her new single Be Alright, after performing it live during her stint as host/performer on Saturday Night Live. It’s the second single off her highly anticipated new album Dangerous Woman. The singer announced its release on Instagram:

The song starts off his with Grande’s typically honeysuckle-and-dulcet tones caressing our eardrums, before graduating into a more EDM-infused beat – a new and refreshing sound for the firmly pop-orientated artist.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBAHqRnSgRw&w=560&h=315]

The song is now available for purchase on iTunes, along with Dangerous Woman, which is set for release on May 20. Interestingly enough though, Focus doesn’t seem to make an appearance on the track listing, despite rocketing to the top of charts everywhere.

In a live Q&A interview back in February, Grande said that the new album was representative of the all the development she had experienced in her life as of late.

“I feel like my personal growth is reflected in the sound. I’m really proud of it… To me, a dangerous woman is someone who’s not afraid to take a stand, be herself and to be honest.”

Image: Billboard

Pop-star Ariana Grande has absolutely no qualms with calling out bullshit when she hears it. In fact, right now she’s waging the good war against body shaming on Instagram.

Having recently dropped her new single Focus, she’s been doing the promo rounds in the States for a few days now. Last Thursday, she paid a visit to two radio DJs whose names are about as ridiculous as their questions. Justin Credible and Eric D-Lux premiered the new track following a near half-hour interview with Grande herself in the studio. The entire thing seems civil – friendly, even. That is until they start playing and either-or kind of game, of which the first nail-biting decision is one where Grande is asked to pick between her phone or make-up.

“Is this men assuming that that’s what girls would chose between?” She responds, clearly offended by the obvious gendering of their questions. The only thing is, it wasn’t exactly clear to the interviewers who continue with their mobile-phone game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf_wVfwpfp8

Next on their list were the new additions to the emojis,  asking Grande which one was her favourite. She rattled off quite a long list of her favourites, which ended with the unicorn. That last emoji incited a condescending snort of “girls” from the worst offender during the entire interview, D-Lux. Maybe emojis seem a frivolous thing to get worked up about, but it all points to a wider picture, one that Grande is determined to see changing.

“I think judgment in general,” she said later when asked what she would like to change most in the world. “Intolerance, meanness, double standards, misogyny, racism, sexism. All that shit. That’s what we need to focus on. We’ve got work to do… We’ll start with you though!” She finishes, pointing directly at D-Lux, whose offences during the interview are not limited to the ones listed here.

https://youtu.be/Q9Dp53q5lNc

Though Grande promises at the end of her interview to return to Power FM when the album is done, between this interview, during which she also said “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t wanna hang out at Power 106 anymore.” and her stance on gender equality (which she has made pretty clear in the past), smart money betting she won’t be back.

 

She may have a penchant for licking donuts, hating on ‘Murica and being a Mariah-worthy diva, but Ariana Grande’s latest publicity stunt is for a greater cause. The singer posted a pink photo to Instagram of herself with the words #StandwithPP superimposed over her.

Grande joins the ranks of high profile people and celebrities everywhere, like Lena Dunham, Connie Briton, Sara Bareilles, Scarlett Johansson and even Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, trying to stop the efforts of Congress to defund the organisation.

Despite the focus of the media firestorm being on the abortion procedures provided by Planned Parenthood, it actually only makes up about 3% of their services. Even though the majority of Americans support federal funding allocated to PP (in fact, the healthcare provider fares better in the poles many politicians), a series of disturbing videos allegedly showing PP officials discussing the sale of aborted foetal matter has fuelled the oppositional movement.

The support of celebrities like Dunham and Grande is important because it gives a voice to a movement and a service which is highly stigmatised in both American and Australian society. It joins the ranks of other movements, like #ShoutYourAbortion, seeking to remove the negative connotation surrounding abortion.

Abortion has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia too, where it it still technically illegal to have an abortion performed in NSW and Queensland. Women can only obtain one through a legal loophole, whereby the women must prove she will be psychologically or physically unsound if the pregnancy continues.

Planned Parenthood’s president Cecile Richards was forced to defend her organisation in a congressional hearing on Tuesday, facing a barrage of criticism on everything from her leadership to her salary size. If congress is successful in efforts to defund the organisation, it could mean million of women lose access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and be a fatal blow to the availability of abortion services.

Women’s bodies are not political battlegrounds and the right to control over your own body should be a fundamental human right. Let’s hope more musicians and celebrities get behind the cause, or we could see healthcare reforms for women go back to the dark ages.

Pint-sized singer Ariana Grande has spoken out in a lengthy twitter post against what she see as a double standard of treatment between men and women and the media. The outburst was triggered by the recent media coverage of her now defunct relationship with rapper Big Sean.

The 21-year-old ended the eight month relationship after the rapper referenced their sex life in one of his songs, saying, “I got a million-dollar chick with a billion-dollar p–sy/Every time I come, I swear to god I feel rich.”

In a small snippet from the extensive statement, the Problem singer says, “I meant what I said about not being Sean’s ex is that I am tired of living in a world where women are mostly referred to as a man’s past, present or future,” she wrote. “I… do not. belong. to anyone. but myself. and neither do you.”

Check it all out here below in her tweet:

The move has earned her praise from Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber’s manager), Rita Ora and fellow popstrel Taylor Swift, who tweeted this in support:

In the name of exposing ‘creative’ hacks who steal other individuals ideas, today we discuss global torture sensation Ariana Grande. The American ‘singer’ (is that what they call it these days) released her new video clip for latest single One Last Time, which is all good and well, aside from the fact that it seems to have ripped off Aussie legends Safia, and their video clip for You Are The One.

Look, we’re not blaming her directly – if she was responsible for even one word that came out of her mouth let alone a video clip, we’d be a lot more impressed – but those on her team, be it her director, producers or whatever, have apparently walked into a pile of plagiarised shit.

Set the scene: doomsday – meteors rain down from the heavens and such begins the story of our beloved couple. The female exits the car and begins to run down the street, only to be chased by her boyfriend in a last ditch effort to express his love. Fireman, policeman and the general public sprawl across the street in a desperate panic, attempting to avoid the inevitable end of the world. How does it all end? A romantic kiss as the meteor engulfs the globe in a blinding white light.

This description could be used for either of the two clips, the issue is Safia released theirs over 4 months prior. I’ll admit there are two distinct differences between the two releases. Firstly, Ariana Grande’s is from a point-of-view perspective, and secondly, Safia’s music is infinitely better.

This isn’t the first time it’s happened either. Late last year, a viral fight erupted between local legends Clubfeet and Britain’s worst export One Direction between the two videos Everything You Wanted and You & I. So please, Ariana Grande, tell your team that stealing isn’t cool. If they’re not going to attempt to write good music for you to sing, at least have the decency not to rip ideas from other artists.

See for yourself

Safia – You Are The One

Ariana Grande – One Last Time