It’s been ten years since Britney Spears ushered in a new era with “Make Me…,” the lead single from her ninth studio album GLORY, and the track still hits just as smooth today.
Released on July 15, 2016, “Make Me…” introduced a more stripped-back, R&B-leaning sound that felt like a confident reset for Britney, similar to In The Zone. Trading in high-energy club beats for a more hypnotic, mid-tempo vibe, the song highlighted her signature breathy vocals while showing a more relaxed, controlled side of her artistry.
Featuring G-Eazy, the track blended pop and hip-hop influences in a way that defined much of the GLORY era’s sound. Behind the scenes, Britney co-wrote the song alongside Matthew Burns, Joe Janiak, and G-Eazy, with Burns also handling production and Mischke Butler serving as vocal producer.
The rollout quickly became a moment in pop culture. The official music video dropped on August 5th, generating major fan buzz and conversation, while Britney and G-Eazy brought the track to the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards later that month. The performance, paired with G-Eazy’s “Me, Myself & I,” cemented the song as a standout moment of that year’s show.
“Make Me…” also proved its impact commercially, earning platinum certification from the RIAA by April 2018 and continuing to rack up streams years after its release.
A decade later, the single remains a key part of Britney’s legacy. While GLORY leaned into a more subtle, experimental sound compared to her earlier eras, “Make Me…” showed that Britney didn’t need to go big to make an impact… she simply made it her own, as only a true pop icon can.
XO Diva D 