After blitzing Spotify record, Ariana Grande hints at February release for album

With the leadoff single from Ariana Grande’s upcoming album thank u, next, setting new streaming records, it was inevitable fans straining to hear the long player.

According to responses during a Twitter Q&A with fans, the singer indicated it could happen by February.

Or rather, she demurely agreed when fans eagerly pushed for a February release.

When one wrote, “Hopefully it releases feb so its the best birthday gift,” Grande responded: “hbd.”

Another asked if the release date was February 8 because it was their 21st birthday, she replied: “how convenient.”

Fans also seized on one tweet:  “two albums in six months huh. That’s deep. Love u. Talk sooon.”

A February release would make it six months since Sweetener came out.

The cover and tracklist are unveiled on Friday January 25.

Grande’s single “7 Rings” set a new Spotify record for biggest amount of plays in a track’s first 24 tracks.

It generated 14,966,544 global plays on Friday January 18.

That was 4 million more than the previous record holder, by Mariah Carey.

According to Spotify, its biggest-ever 24-hour stream counts are:

'7 Rings', Ariana Grande – 14,966,544 (January 18, 2019)

'All I Want for Christmas Is You', Mariah Carey – 10,819,009 (December 24, 2018)

'SAD!', XXXTentacion – 10,415,088 (June 19, 2018)

'Shape of You”, Ed Sheeran – 9,891,056 (March 3, 2017)

'In My Feelings', Drake – 9,847,333 (July 20 2018)

'thank u, next', Ariana Grande – 9,606,415 (November 9, 2018)

'Nonstop', Drake – 9,298,297 (June 29, 2018)

'Last Christmas', Wham! – 9,098,668 (December 24, 2018)

'Survival', Drake – 8,611,591 (June 29, 2018)

'God’s Plan', Drake – 8,553,009 (January 26, 2018)

Grande’s Twitter session didn’t touch on accusations from two other artists that '7 Rings' was nicked from their tracks.

These were Puerto Rican rapper Princess Nokia’s track 'Mine' from a 1992 mixtape, and Soulja Boy who says it used elements of his 'Pretty Boy Swag'.

2 Chainz also accuses that the video to '7 Rings'  has a strong resemblance to his clip for his 'Door Swangin'.