Ariana Grande’s career has been nothing short of iconic. From her start on Broadway to becoming one of the most influential pop stars of her generation, Grande’s journey has been marked by chart-topping hits and an unmatched vocal range. As she continues to shine in her career, her collaboration with DJ and producer Zedd on the 2014 smash hit “Break Free” stands out as a defining moment. This year, the song has gained even more recognition as part of the 10th-anniversary celebration of Grande’s sophomore album My Everything.
Zedd, who worked closely with Grande on the track, recently shared his thoughts on the song’s lasting success and his admiration for the pop star’s work ethic. “In my eyes, she’s always been the queen, and she’s always deserved every bit of shine,” Zedd said in an interview Gayety at the Grammys. “One of the most talented singers that exists. I’m a big fan, and I’m super happy that she’s having another moment.”
A Collaboration That Almost Didn’t Happen
The story behind “Break Free” is one of serendipity and perfect timing. Zedd, known for his skills as a producer and DJ, originally created the track and brought it to his friend, super-producer Max Martin, to write lyrics. The two were excited about the track, but Zedd never anticipated that it would end up as part of Ariana Grande’s catalog.
“It was a song that Max and I were both like, ‘Awesome, we love this song. One day something will happen with it,’” Zedd recalled. “But we never really thought it would happen this way, and especially with Ariana.”
That “one day” came when Max Martin reached out to Zedd to let him know that Ariana Grande was in the studio and interested in recording the track. Zedd was thrilled by the idea, but there was one issue: the vocal recording.
When Zedd heard Ariana’s take on the song, he realized that he had difficulty understanding some of the lyrics, a challenge he attributes to his German background. “I’m German, so I’m not the best at, like, giving advice on English,” Zedd admitted. “But I was like, ‘I have a really hard time making out what the words are saying.’”
A lesser artist might have left it at that, but Ariana Grande was determined to perfect the song. “So she went back and rerecorded everything from scratch, which I feel like most artists wouldn’t do,” Zedd explained. “The fact that she wanted this to be perfect and went back and redid the entire thing speaks for her work ethic and how much of a perfectionist she is.”
This dedication paid off, as “Break Free” became one of the biggest anthems of 2014, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a staple in both Zedd’s and Grande’s discographies. Zedd, who continues to perform the song at live shows, credits Grande for the song’s enduring popularity. “Nobody really expected this to become this anthem,” he said. “I still play the song live… it’s just become one of the biggest songs in my sets. And I’m incredibly grateful because it certainly wouldn’t have happened without her. She really drove that thing home.”
A Decade of Success and Recognition
As Ariana Grande celebrated the 10th anniversary of My Everything last year, the song “Break Free” remains one of the most recognizable tracks in her catalog. Over the years, it has been embraced by fans for its empowering lyrics, infectious melody, and Grande’s powerhouse vocals. The song also helped solidify her status as a pop sensation and further proved her versatility as an artist capable of dominating various genres, from R&B to electronic dance music.
The anniversary edition of My Everything, which includes vinyl versions of the album’s singles, has given fans the opportunity to relive the magic of songs like “Problem” and “Love Me Harder” while also celebrating the legacy of “Break Free.” For Grande, it’s yet another moment in a career that has seen her rise to superstardom, but for Zedd, it’s a reminder of the unexpected magic that can come from creative collaboration.
“[Ariana] has always been at the top of her game,” Zedd said. “She’s always had these amazing moments in her career, but it’s cool to see her get even more recognition and appreciation, especially for something as timeless as ‘Break Free.’”
As the years continue to pass, both artists reflect on the lasting impact of their collaboration. While Grande’s star continues to rise in Hollywood, music, and beyond, Zedd remains grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the song that solidified her place in pop music history.
For now, both Ariana Grande and Zedd have no plans to slow down, continuing to shine brightly in their respective careers, with My Everything serving as a reminder of the power of collaboration and the lasting appeal of timeless music.
