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Exploring “Mine” and “7 Rings” Through Public Forensic Musicology

Does Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” copy Princess Nokia’s “Mine” ?

I’m a proponent of music programs inviting students to engage in public forensic musicology or as “musical detectives” as a form of musical engagement and learning.

Here’s a recent example of an artist accusing another artist of copying their music. In this case, Princess Nokia is accusing Ariana Grande of copying Nokia’s Mine with Grande’s 7 Rings. Some people are also suggesting that 7 Rings also mimics aspects of flow from 2 Chainz and Soulja Boy. In addition to the sonic aspects of this analysis, music teachers might also want to address issues of cultural appropriation. For instance, Princess Nokia makes the comment “sounds about White” purposefully. Some of the discussion online touches on this. There are so many reasons to include Princess Nokia in the music program (more info below). Of course you can also explore connections between Grande’s 7 Rings and the song My Favorite Things – and it’s just fun to mention Julie Andrews, John Coltrane, and Ariana Grande in the same class.

Back in 2015, I tracked some similar controversy around Blurred Lines . I am now curating posts and resources connected to instances of public forensic musicology for music teachers interested in engaging students as musical detectives in their programs.

If you are a music teacher who includes this type of engaged analysis in your program, please leave a note. I’d love to hear about it and learn about students’ engagement and perspectives. Here are some additional perspectives on women, hip hop, and music education. In the meantime, here are some related resources and examples of public forensic musicology related to Mine and 7 Rings taking place online (please read and watch all resources beore sharing in your classroom so you can make decisions about what is or is not appropriate in your setting):

Resources and Examples of Public Forensic Musicology: Mine & 7 Rings

Public Commentary and Analyses

Ariana Grande accused of stealing Princess Nokia’s song?! “7 Rings” Music Video – Empressive

https://youtu.be/yrharxUrabs
Did Ariana Grande Steal 7 Rings From Princess Nokia – Awkward Small Tlk

This video from Genius.com focuses on lyrical analysis of Ariana Grande’s 7 Rings as well as similarities between 7 Rings and other music

Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” Explained – Song Stories – Genius

Additional Info on Princess Nokia

Princess Nokia in Conversation at Brown University – Facilitated by Sofia Robledo Rower
Princess Nokia: “There’s No Money in Record Deals & I’m Not Looking to Be Taken Advantage Of” – Snobette
Princess Nokia – Destiny (Documentary) – Orian Barki – Fader (audible curse words)

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