Ariana Grande is remembering Mac Miller's influence on her music seven years after his passing. Can you believe it's been nearly a decade since we lost Mac? It's absolutely unreal how quick time is passing... But Ariana hasn't forgotten her ex's influence on her musical style. While hosting her master class at Chapman University earlier in the month, the Wicked star said Mac was the one who wanted her to bring R&B style into her pop music - which she described as "a brave thing" she's "very thankful" for: "That's also a part of why I was so eager to ask [Miller] to be a part of it.