In the summertime of 2014, Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj teamed up for the final word powerhouse anthem, “Bang Bang.” Instantly upon its launch, on July 28, followers and critics knew the track was one thing particular.
As a collaboration that includes three main girls in pop – one in every of them a high raptress – ‘Bang Bang” was a “Lady Marmalade” for a new generation. Just as Maya, Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Lil’ Kim had turned LaBelle’s hit 70s single right into a Twenty first-century anthem, the playful wit and diva showboating of “Bang Bang” ensured that the monitor’s soulful vibes and schoolyard chant can be ingrained within the pop-culture consciousness.
“I put my vocal on it, and it just felt special, exciting”
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jessie J revealed the origins of the only. Revered hitmaker Max Martin initially despatched her a demo of the monitor and the singer instantly fell in love with it. She reworked among the lyrics whereas recording her components at Metropolis Studios in London. “After Max sent it over, I rewrote some of the song and made it feel more me,” the singer recalled. “I put my vocal on it, and it just felt special, exciting.”
Whereas she’d initially deliberate on together with some new tracks on a US reissue of her 2013 studio album, Alive, the UK singer determined to avoid wasting “Bang Bang” for her third document, Candy Talker. Stopping by in the course of the recording session, each David Guetta and Emeli Sandé praised Jessie J’s vocals, however there have been some lacking items to the puzzle.
“I want to get Ariana to jump on it”
After listening to Jessie J’s contribution, the track’s producer and songwriter, Martin, pushed to get one other powerhouse vocalist on the monitor. “I want to get Ariana to jump on it,” he instructed Jessie.
“Bang Bang” had initially been meant for Ariana Grande, who was within the means of finishing her sophomore album, My Every little thing. To the frustration of Martin, Savan Kotecha, and Ilya Salmanzadeh – the identical producers who delivered Grande’s hit single “Problem,” that includes Iggy Azalea – Ariana hated her unique recording and scrapped it. Martin, nonetheless, envisioned creating an anthem that captured the spirit of previous girl-group singles.
Wendy Goldstein, Govt VP/Head Of City A&R at Republic Information, additionally believed Grande was a fantastic match for the track. She satisfied Monte Lipman, the label’s CEO, to arrange a gathering with the star. Lipman performed the collab model for Grande, who responded, “No way,” after listening to Jessie J’s half. She determined to provide “Bang Bang” one other shot and ended up slotting it on the deluxe version of My Every little thing.
“I was on the floor… I was like, This is insane”
What makes “Bang Bang” stand aside from different collaborations is Nicki Minaj’s verse. Following Jessie J’s recording periods, Minaj performed the track one time, instantly understanding “it was special”. The summer time of 2014 had been a busy one for the rapper: she was within the means of recording her third album, The Pinkprint, finessing her visitor verse on Beyoncé’s “***Flawless (Remix)” and getting ready for the discharge of her controversial single “Anaconda.”
In an interview with Carson Daly, Minaj additionally remarked that Jessie J’s voice “does not get enough credit”. Previous to “Bang Bang,” Jessie J had needed to collaborate with Minaj for some time, having her in thoughts for the 2011 track “Do It Like A Dude.” After listening to Minaj’s “Bang Bang” verse, Jessie J knew the monitor was full. Grande additionally was floored by the MC’s contribution. “I was on the floor,” Grande instructed Revolt TV. “It was a surprise to me; I was like, This is insane.”
“That’s what I feel like young women, especially, need to hear”
The group’s chemistry on document additionally translated to the accompanying music video, through which the trio takes to the streets and rooftops of an imagined New York Metropolis, every getting their time to shine, exhibiting off their particular person abilities. Jessie J didn’t even meet Grande or Minaj till the video shoot, after the track had already reached No.1 on iTunes.
Shot in two days in Los Angeles, the video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, who made certain every star had equal display time. Jessie J identified how “all three of us look so different, and we’re all equally confident”. The purpose of the video wasn’t for the singers to rival one another, however to have fun their uniqueness as highly effective girls. “I’m not going to rival what she has, but I’ve got what I’ve got,” Jessie J instructed Rolling Stone. “That’s what I feel like young women, especially, need to hear.”
The video helped “Bang Bang” proceed its assault on the mainstream. After debuting at No.6 on Billboard’s Sizzling 100, it shortly moved as much as the No.3 spot, turning into of the largest summer time anthems that yr. The track additionally debuted at No.1 within the UK and have become Grande’s second High 10 single and second launch to debut on the high spot that yr.
Hearken to the most effective of Jessie J on Apple Music and Spotify.
