It’s hard to remember a time before Ariana Grande was a global supernova. But back in early 2013, she was still that girl from Nickelodeon trying to prove she had the pipes to match the hype. Then came a beat that sampled Big Pun, a few bars from a Pittsburgh rapper with a raspy voice, and a music video filled with balloons.
That first Mac Miller and Ariana Grande song, "The Way," didn't just launch a career. It started a decade-long ripple effect through pop culture.
Most people look at their collaborations as a tragic timeline of a relationship. It's easy to do that. But if you actually listen to the tracks, the music tells a much nerdier, more technical story about two artists who were basically obsessed with the same R&B records. They weren't just a couple; they were a production team.
The Cookie Bribe and the 2012 Christmas Surprise
Everyone thinks "The Way" was the beginning. It wasn't.
The very first time they hopped on a track together was actually for a cover of "Baby It’s Cold Outside" in 2012. Mac went by his jazz alter-ego, Larry Lovestein. Ariana was still rocking the bright red Victorious hair. It was a YouTube-only release, kinda lo-fi, and totally charming. It’s the sound of two kids who hadn't even reached their mid-twenties yet just geeking out over jazz harmonies.
Then came the real deal. When "The Way" landed in March 2013, it was a massive swing for Republic Records.
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Ariana actually had to bribe Mac to get him in the studio for that one. She told Billboard later that she literally made him a batch of cookies to get him to record his verse. While he was downstairs in the home studio writing those lines about "international love," she was upstairs in the kitchen.
Every time she'd bring down a fresh tray, he’d have a new line ready.
"I really want you to feature on this record. What do you think?" she asked.
"Sounds like a hit to me," he said.
He wasn't wrong. It hit number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first top-ten hit for both of them. It’s also the song where the "Maciana" rumors started because of that kiss at the end of the music video. Mac later told MTV News the director just suggested it on the fly and he was basically like, "Alright, cool."
Why "My Favorite Part" Changed Everything
By 2016, the vibe had shifted. Mac was moving away from the "frat rap" labels and diving deep into neo-soul with his album The Divine Feminine.
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If "The Way" was a bubblegum pop explosion, "My Favorite Part" was the slow burn. This is the Mac Miller and Ariana Grande song that most fans point to as the turning point. It wasn't just a feature; it was a conversation.
The music video is weirdly prophetic. They play neighbors in an apartment building, separated by a thin wall, singing to each other while it rains inside their rooms. It’s moody. It’s funky. Honestly, it’s one of the few times Mac actually sang on a track instead of rapping, and his vulnerability is what makes it work.
People always argue about which song is "better," but "My Favorite Part" showed a level of artistic trust that you just don't see in standard label-mandated collaborations. They weren't trying to make a TikTok hit—TikTok didn't even exist then. They were trying to make something that sounded like D'Angelo or Erykah Badu.
The Hidden Tracks and Live Moments
There’s a lot of music between them that isn't on Spotify.
- Into You (Remix): Most people forget Mac hopped on a remix of this Dangerous Woman classic. He brings a much grittier, underground feel to a song that was otherwise a polished Max Martin production.
- One Love Manchester: Watching them perform "The Way" and "Dang!" at the benefit concert in 2017 is still a gut punch. You can see the way he looks at her—it was about more than just hitting the notes.
- The "Eternal Sunshine" Connection: Fans are still finding "Mac-isms" in her 2024 album. From the title (a reference to his favorite Jim Carrey movie) to the subtle orchestral swells that mirror his Swimming era.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Music
The biggest misconception is that Ariana was the "pop" one and Mac was the "rap" one.
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In reality, Ariana was often the one pushing for the more obscure R&B samples. She’s a vocal nerd. Mac, on the other hand, was a multi-instrumentalist who spent his final years obsessed with the way a bassline could change the emotional weight of a lyric.
When they worked together, those two worlds didn't just collide; they fused.
You can hear it in the way their harmonies stack on "My Favorite Part." It’s not just a lead vocal and a backing track. It’s a complex arrangement where both voices are fighting for space in a way that feels like a real-life argument or a real-life embrace.
The Legacy of the Collaboration
It’s been years since Mac passed in 2018, but the music hasn't aged a day. That's the hallmark of a great Mac Miller and Ariana Grande song. They didn't chase trends. They chased a feeling.
If you want to truly appreciate what they built together, you have to look past the tabloid headlines. Look at the credits. Look at the producers they worked with, like Harmony Samuels or MusicManTy. They were building a specific sonic world that was equal parts 90s nostalgia and forward-thinking soul.
How to Listen Like an Expert
- Start with the 2012 "Baby It's Cold Outside" cover. It's the rawest they ever sounded. You can find it on SoundCloud or re-uploads on YouTube.
- Watch the "The Way" live on Ellen. Pay attention to the chemistry during the bridge. It’s undeniable.
- Blast "My Favorite Part" on a good pair of headphones. Listen to the bassline. Mac played a lot of the instruments on that album himself, and the groove is what carries his vocals.
- Listen to "ghostin" from thank u, next. It’s not a duet, but it’s arguably the most important song about their connection. It uses a sample that many believe is a nod to Mac's track "2009."
The beauty of their work is that it’s finite. We won't get any more new verses or surprise remixes. But the few songs we do have are a masterclass in how two different genres can meet in the middle and create something that actually feels human.
For the best experience, try listening to their collaborations in chronological order. It’s a literal audio documentary of two people growing up, falling in love, and finding their own voices while leaning on each other.