Why “7 Rings” Isn’t Really Making Ariana Grande Any Money

Chartwise she can do no wrong. A string of number one hits. And recently, she held down the number one, two, and three songs at the same time. However, her current #1 "7 Rings" isn't really making her any money. As a matter of fact she's only clearing 10% of all the money the song makes. So how is it that she made a song, and someone else is getting 90% of the profits? And who are they?

Heads up, it ain't Soulja Boy.

The answer? Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Though Ariana Grande’s thank u, next hit “7 Rings” has 10 songwriting credits, 90% of the songwriting royalties are going to the estates of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, The New York Times reports. Grande’s track interpolates “My Favorite Things,” the The Sound of Music song written by the duo in 1959. Rodgers and Hammerstein died in 1979 and 1960, respectively. (Pitchfork)

Ariana Grande’s new single, “7 rings,” may be centered around a rework of “My Favorite Things,” from the 1959 musical (and 1965 film) 'The Sound of Music,'

(Video: Genius via YouTube)

(Video: Rodgers & Hammerstein via YouTube)

According to The New York Times, Grande’s label (Republic) and representatives brought “7 Rings” to Concord—the music company that’s owned Rodgers and Hammerstein’s catalog since 2017—a few weeks before its January release. Concord received their requested 90% for the license without further negotiation. (Pitchfork)