All The Mac Miller References On Ariana Grande’s ‘thank u, next’ | Genius News

Ariana Grande’s fifth studio album, 'thank u, next,' was completed during a period of turmoil in her life which included the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. The pop singer appears to reference the rapper throughout the 12-track project on songs including “imagine,” “needy,” “bloodline,” “fake smile,” “ghostin,” and title track.
CREDITS
Jacques Morel, Senior Correspondent
Tia Hill, Producer
Lesley Steele, Shooter/Editor
Hillary Crosley Coker, Senior Producer
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[@abbyrasing2116]

Ghostin is an apology to Pete because she was still thinking & in love with mac

[@josepedroteixeira3120]

Pete is so overlooked in all of this, the poor guy really went down

[@postmalone6623]

José Pedro Teixeira he also used to text Mac and send him pics of him and Ariana he’s an ass

[@allthedumpbitchesreplytomy2789]

@@postmalone6623 noone knows if this actually happened

[@G17x]

@@postmalone6623 It's a false story bruh. You really believed in TMZ huh?

[@LYstormDR]

@@G17x I still don't believe in Pete Davidson.

[@Akkesama]

This album was the more lyrically and narratively complex than anything she’d done before

[@Nathan-cf6of]

is your pfp a fat katara XD

[@alejandrasofiarivera6831]

Nathan that’s a korra

[@voiceofneha7196]

Thats why I love this album

[@bradlip1457]

for sure

[@amberneco2697]

which is why I felt like it deserved a Grammy but it’s ok she’s still a queen 💜

[@zina9978]

They have the saddest love story of all time I could see the chemistry between the two the first time I ever watch the video of the way rip Mac missing you everyday 🤧😇

[@MadelineDAmato]

Lowkey Lowkey I said the same thing years ago when the video first came out. It was electric, their chemistry. 😞

[@savvyaranda]

they were definitely meant for each other it’s so sad 😭

[@jasamkojajesam6108]

Well it was not a love story, cuz' they broke up and dated other people..

[@zetzu6460]

L B. it’s called a rebound. they liked each other but addiction pulled them apart

[@yeongweunbi]

me too. there was so much chemistry while they were filming 'the way' that i even thought they were dating for real. turns out they were just friends, and i was cool with that though i honestly still shipped them in spite of ari dating someone else back then. i thought they'd make a great couple, and i was right. i didn't see it coming but i definitely wasn't surprised when i found out they're dating. it was bound to happen from the start. too bad it was also bound to end.

[@Lucas-tn1vx]

Tragic. They were endgame.

[@ThatGirlOnYourTV]

Yeah

[@chrisrichbeats7383]

RIP MAC MILLER

[@marotti_]

Rip

[@emerybinghamlife8609]

🙏🏼

[@SharkToothCraft]

RIP

[@ashtonhatton-pocklington6252]

😂

[@ren-tq5yg]

@@ashtonhatton-pocklington6252 wtf

[@nini-sc6tb]

i love that he referred to mac as ariana's ex AND BEST FRIEND like YES that is SO IMPORTANT

[@andziainnanizinne224]

Everytime I hear "ghostin'" I cry and I can't control it. This is the only song that makes me cry that fast. [*]

[@ancaa22]

literally me

[@sofiapina4752]

Literally same :(

[@eceozbek1130]

Me too😭 i cant stop to cry

[@luciahlinkova2152]

me too but only sometimes.

[@ElisaDay_]

Same

[@andreia5113]

I feel like Ariana and him would’ve gotten back together

[@tattqedheart8575]

yeah they seemed so happy together 😔

[@kaily_x]

100%

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Weren't they an on-off-on-off relationship?

[@andreia5113]

CheesecakeLasagna I think so

[@KoAshton]

M C the reason they broke up was cause Mac wasn’t staying sober

[@tenisawhite6465]

“She’s like an angel” I LOST IT 😭😭😭💔

[@chelseybutler6772]

Tenisa White same , just sitting here at midnight crying 💔💔

[@eceozbek1130]

OMG THIS IS SOOO SAD😭😭

[@exh-hm2sm]

Tenisa White “Don’t call me angel”

[@unknownpurpleusers662]

As soon as I heard angel I started to cry, rest in peace Mac :(

[@eunicearciaga592]

😔

[@Gigi502.]

This really breaks my heart. Their love was something incomprehensible💔

[@FLdancer00]

Definitely. Can't comprehend how she could fall for him :/

[@kung-fukennyfamily]

R.I.P *Mac miller* Forever in our hearts❤✊

[@chelsealynn7182]

Kung-Fu Kenny Family forever n ever

[@Jrtakeyoho3]

Kung-Fu Kenny Family #freedrose

[@jordanb3120]

Nipsey X and peep too

[@bellar5540]

0:50 I thought the lyrics were 'stepped off the tour bus' lol

[@emmapiccirillo2196]

Sarah Pemburton I thought it was step out the two of us??

[@oreobabe1020]

Me too!!!

[@AC-jp1lm]

Glad I'm not the only one

[@mikehowell2430]

I thought it sepadadooady

[@jessiedangelo4562]

isnt it “step up the two of us”

[@imaginingari5694]

You never appreciate what you have til it’s gone

[@leilamac869]

Time don’t give a fuck about clocks until they broke🖤

[@hollyjanay7670]

The best thing I’ve read on here. Not saying they didn’t love each other it’s totally obvious but it’s like she was over something and felt like she didn’t have to deal with it anymore but Pete doesn’t seem to different when it comes to drugs

[@mopolo]

Exactly. Brush your teeth don't wait 'til they're gone

[@mircelyrodriguez]

my everything lyrics

[@wetfetus5791]

jessie thijs .....

[@abbynguyen726]

“Imagine” to me now sounds like a desperate ballad from someone to their lover to just see what the world could be if they let them. It sounds like in the movies when the couple is standing in the rain crying to one another and arguing. That’s what ‪I‬ picture it especially with the chorus “why can’t you imagine a world like that?” She doesn’t understand how he can’t see how beautiful the world could be if he let it. Idk ‪I‬ guess that’s kinda just how ‪I‬ see it

[@Thatscrazyyourecrazy]

This is so spot on

[@angeliaxu7296]

yea thats true but its also one of my favorite songs ever

[@babybalulu99]

for me the song is about how their life couldve been perfect if they'd stayed together

[@Ashley-ro4xz]

Dude yes. I actually thought it was anger when she said those words like a cry out for him to understand or at least imagine.

[@mark_midmark]

I'll never listen to imagine the same way again

[@mariela6868]

To me the beginning of the song ghostin’ sounds like Mac millers “self care” just slower and stretched out more. 🤔

[@WhatTheFunk983]

Shut up

[@mariela6868]

alex perez, Alex 😂 wth leave

[@WhatTheFunk983]

mariela delgado upload the amazon remake

[@QueenQuiet777]

Yes I thought the same!!!!

[@daniela4850]

mariela delgado it does!!!

[@toasterboy8707]

You forgot in ghostin Mac Miller laugh is secretly inside in the song look for ghostin vocals

[@jackcreely7231]

How can a 162 people like this and I’m the only reply

[@hunniii2356]

@@jackcreely7231 ikr😂

[@biabibo18]

someone said there's also a "i love you ariana" in the song, at the end

[@beesinhives]

Omg

[@harleyyy8808]

Where?

[@Gamergirl123-j3e]

I knew that this album was beyond special to ari but I didn’t realize until this video how much about it was about Mac. I love them both and very happy that they had each other while they did that stuff is special and truly once sometimes not even that in a life time. RIP Mac you will forever be loved by us all ♥️

[@terrydavis1286]

"I wish he were here instead" that got me dying

[@AlberteTDK]

They were honestly the cutest couple ever, if he hadn’t od’ed they would definetely have ended up together.

[@xovix9757]

Bruh they broke up stop waffling

[@sorayamarcano266]

@@xovix9757 they probably had a lot of unresolved problems

[@inthedark8400]

*doubt*

[@qrafy]

No they weren't

[@mikiplusdevideos4915]

They liked donuts

[@2424StrongGreek]

Oh great. Now im gonna cry everytime i hear Imagine.

[@forevergirI]

welcome to the club : )

[@angeliaxu7296]

its my favorite song ever

[@maanyasomaiya359]

same :,)

[@angarjua]

Did anyone catch Mac Millers "Yeah" sampled in Imagine?

[@natashazwanziger3662]

Could you explain?

[@baby5720]

what?

[@ethanbrown6188]

@@baby5720 in the pre-chorus, if you listen well, you'll hear he is saying damn in the background.

[@angarjua]

@@baby5720 Yup, when listening on headphones it's easier to catch

[@erikanic0le439]

Bout to find out lol

[@sebastiangrisales1018]

im really heartbroken to say this but mac and arianas relationship is the literal definition of right person wrong time.

[@ohsnapitzsadie1327]

“She’s like the greatest person in the world. She’s like an angel.” 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@jackmurphy2501]

So sad..i love you Ariana and Mac will have a special spot in the rap game and in my heart.

[@loisto1568]

Love that peep hoodie!!!

[@fal1449]

Ikr

[@HakuStunt]

Yeaah

[@hanna3847]

Where is it from?

[@Samizsm23]

@@hanna3847 part of the come over when your sober 2 album merch

[@bigmenrick]

Hanna album + hoodie COWYS 2 bundle

[@IlIlIlllIlIlIllli]

Damn she's the first to make "Skrrt" so beautiful

[@iimjustjordan]

Y’all here to cry over Mac’s death? Cool me too 😭

[@vintageminaj7835]

If you slow down ghostin in the last instrumental part you can hear “I love you Ariana” it is mac’s voice I cried there is a comment on the ghostin video and it is very emotional

[@adz847]

Mac Miller: she’s like an angel Ariana Grande: Dont Call me Angel

[@leeyuhbeeyuh7076]

😂😂😂😂

[@oogabooga6345]

Only macs aloud to lmao

[@Banks040]

🖤Mac I’m sure is proud of Ari 🖤

[@indiashante1560]

Wonder how things would've been if they didn't break up or at least stayed on good terms until they figured themselves out. This video always makes me cry.

[@tinkerbell9690]

Ari got with pete too fast. I know it was a rebound but i really wish that she waited a little longer to figure things out with Malcolm.

[@celestegarcia923]

You look like sheraseven lol

[@claudia-ph5rq]

I always thought that the first lyric of imagine was: “step of the tour bus, nobody knows us”. I feel so dumb 😂

[@fancygabriella7343]

It sounds perfect as that aswell 😂

[@_veedownnn7992]

lmao sweaaaaaar 😂

[@sweetlikeari1279]

@@_veedownnn7992 yeah it is cause Ariana released an official lyric video and it was step up the 2 of us so the people who made this got it wrong 😂

[@jefftobias4642]

3 years later and I’m still here watching everything I can with Malcom’s name in to make sure he stays relevant. Ariana seems like a sweetheart and I wish her nothing but the best. I met Mac a handful of times and he was the kindest soul. Miss you brother and hope your legacy lives on forever

[@nworbyahs4800]

Ay the peep hoodie

[@doniprihantoro1607]

Who left this bowl of onions here ?

[@BieberIGotSwag2]

Mac wasnt a rapper,he was a true artist. He was too good for this world,man.. rest easy,larry.

[@byRyanStevens]

Cant help but feel bad for Pete Davidson... she shouldnt have got engaged to someone if she still loved someone else.

[@anasofiaveneno3296]

True, but everyone makes mistakes

[@THESK8LIFE97]

AnaSofia Veneno haha big fuckin oops

[@DanielNevesBL]

You can love more than one person.

[@Ana-zo1fk]

Daniel Neves nah

[@sofiamarques7278]

Fuck him

[@Caballito3061]

Mac Miller is very underrated, i felt so bad for ari knowing how close she was with him. RIP Mac🙏🏼

[@aribetancourt5092]

ghostin is probs one of the saddest songs ever. they had a love like no other. ☹️

[@talamaarouf751]

5:11 seconds of me crying non stop

[@edhobson568]

Can I just ask how disputed the first line of 'imagine' is? On Genius, it's 'Step up the two of us', on the official lyric video it's the same, on this video it's ' 'Cept for the two of us' and other lyric videos it's 'Step off the tour bus'. What is it actually ? Anyone?

[@Ori0987]

Bro I’m confused now because I always thought that everyone though it was step up the two of us. That’s how I learned the lyrics, but looking at the other lyrics they kind of make more sense than “step up the two of us”

[@aranara_song]

It is "Step up the two of us"

[@calahsewell2802]

Honestly. "Step off the tour bus" makes sense with the following lyrics. But idk

[@katieprecious4535]

i learnt it as “stop at the tour bus” lol i’ve been wrong this whole time

[@user14253]

step up the two of us

[@pimento2274]

I cried when he was like “she’s da best person ever, she’s like a angel” ❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭😭😭😭🌞

[@tyson4113]

Love you forever Mac, Rip brother 🙏🏾😔

[@ImightBeAnasx]

Poor Ariana , she really loves him and can’t forget him , RIP Mac we love you

[@kendallguzman6316]

I’m so glad she kept “ghostin” cuz that’s one of my favorite on thank you next😍but it’s also sad and it makes me cry😭😞

[@manuhameed5470]

R.I.P Mac also love the hoodie 🐐

[@juliadickinson6056]

literal chills throughout this entire video. we miss you mac.

[@krissywilliams1714]

ghostin sounds nothing like 2009. it sounds like they sampled self care instead

[@d.f.danial9125]

it is similar. but the beat was just slowed down

[@Hadais]

Tbh honest it Sound more like they played it backwards

[@lauranolan5529]

@@Hadais exactly what I think everytime I hear it.

[@yourstrulyjay5261]

that’s how sampled works bro & that’s what they said

[@ignaciomartinez7451]

4:26 this part is just so beautiful🤍

[@vintageminaj7835]

The beginning part in “ghostin” reversed sounds like “2009” by mac

[@vivianward]

never thought a Genius video would make me cry

[@mari-jw6dk]

I still can’t believe he’s really gone.. i can’t get it through my head knowing we will never have new music from him and that does sit right with me. Rest In Peace Malcolm. You’ve got angels now no more satan🕊🖤

[@Andrew-zl5yi]

it’s horrible how ari messed with pete, but it’s more horrible knowing that someone you loved died. still crying over mac. rip.

[@adrianna369]

they were soulmates for sure rip mac 💓🕊

[@all4uuuu]

Overall,'thank u,next' was my favorite record that she has made.....period.....

[@prishhasharma]

I feel like ghostin was all about mac but also maybe an apology to pete !? Idk but yes atleast we all are sure that ghostin is bout mac - 100%🥺 THIS MAKES ME CRY UK

[@muzicisinmysoul]

If you listen carefully to Imagine you hear Mac Miller in the background saying, "Damn" when she says, "click click click"

[@vuittone2981]

i heard it :o

[@audreyswanson2046]

I’m so glade she didn’t take off ghostin

[@benicio1967]

You covered it all well. Enjoyed this!

[@minimartvlogs3850]

RIP Mac😓💔

[@katebarriscale911]

So nobody's gona talk about how at 0:50 the words are step off the tour bus and not cept for the two of us??????

[@jurn111]

The lyrics are “step up the two of us” it’s in the official lyric video.

[@alexs6694]

I saw a comment saying "You never appreciate what you have until it's gone" Tell me about it. That was written before quarantine

[@godsiconictwin]

True 😢

[@deeno184]

This is the type of content that made us subscribe to the channel in the first place. Very insightful video.

[@thankunext8467]

why couldn’t of things been different... :(

[@adriandelacruz9794]

Crazy how “they’ll love you when your gone” applies here so much

[@RamzaBeo]

Literally the WHOLE SONG. Was connected directly towards Mac in my eyes

[@madelynnewsom5780]

this is heartbreaking. she is so strong

[@joseclaros9501]

Long Live Mac Miller

[@BrayHG20]

This is some _Genius_ content! Nice to see a strong video on GeniusNews again

[@kaylamoyer3504]

Ghostin breaks my heart into a million pieces every time

[@scarlettpecero726]

i love this guy for wearing that hoodie

[@urb.blendz]

R.I.P. mac

[@jazminashley2025]

they loved each other, knowing they weren’t able to love each other the way the other needed and knowing this will never be... makes me cry

[@KristianLikerKaker]

r.i.p mac

[@freyahatton8914]

‘though I wish here were here instead, don’t want that living in your head. he just comes to visit me, when I’m dreaming every now and then’ - ariana grande, ghostin. the best lyric she’s wrote.

[@user-dm7xe4ty1y]

I hate how some Ariana fans attack Pete even tho he did nothing wrong and Ariana was the one who broke up with him because of Mac. people need to pay attention smh

[@vimithebot5372]

in one of macs songs, “come back to earth” he says “i just need a way out of my head, i’ll do anything for a way out of my head” this might have to do with in my head

[@lolking1019]

Love the hoodie bro

[@done1525]

these comments make me rly sad & happy at the same time, i hope ariana finds closure & i hope mac is resting easy 💔

[@L0veepanicc]

this was rly well made

[@campbellavis2882]

I literally started crying when ghostin started.

[@hazelnut20030]

it’s so hard being an empath because i can feel exactly how she’s feeling i can feel the pain of losing someone u love so dearly even though i have never experienced it idk if that makes sense ahh

[@__moonlight__2054]

I love Thank You, Next, I know it’s not the best album , Vocally. But it’s so personally and emotionally it doesn’t have to be the best vocally to hit you hard right in the heart. I love Ariana and I hope she’s getting back The a healthy state of mind. I’m so happy to see how she’s back to a healthier weight

[@pockybby6195]

love that hoodie!

[@cassidyrose7221]

Deadass started crying I couldn’t imagine losing someone you love like that Rip Mac

[@wuzpoppinzay9809]

I just got recommended this today on Macs anniversary 🥺🖤

[@srxgrey4884]

Love the Gus hoodie 😌

[@aaliyahgabriel]

literally this broke my heart.

[@adelineoswald8641]

am i the only one who knew all these....oop. i really miss mac :(

[@Nok56]

I love ghostin'. It's so genuine and from the heart.

[@milarodt]

I still can’t believe he’s gone 💔

[@kinginwitlexi]

i love your hoodie ☺️

[@JamSome]

I love the Lil Peep's COWYS Pt. 2 merch hoodie

[@cxo8977]

I love the hoodie!

[@anapaulaamorim6203]

fuck its august 2020 and i’m literally crying bc of this

[@trxshaint9509]

i loved the hoodie

[@meals9743]

you can tell hes getting pretty tired of saying peace.

[@ibrahimniaf5841]

Ty this makes me think deeper about the songs and appreciate the album much more!♥

[@dawgblanky4818]

Damn they really been loving each other 🙏

[@ingridbarajas2574]

she’s gone through so much 🥺