 The album is inspired by a variety of different artists , ranging from Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston . Grande describes the album 's first half is a " throwback " to the R & B music of the 1990s , and the second half is she describes as " something that is very unique and very special that I 've sort of written " which is completely original . In summation of the record she stated : " So half of it is a throwback and like very familiar feeling , feel @-@ good , and then half of it is something that I 've created that 's sort of special and unique and refreshing and wonderful and I love it " . 
