Ariana Grande honors shooting victims with positive new duet

Ariana Grande has honored those slain in a spate of recent shootings by sharing an uplifting new song with singer Victoria Monet.

Five police officers were killed in Dallas, Texas on Thursday (07Jul16) after a sniper targeted authorities monitoring a Black Lives Matter protest rally, held in response to the slayings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile - two African-American men who were fatally shot by cops in Louisiana and Minnesota earlier in the week.

In light of recent events, Ariana and Victoria decided to share their optimistic track Better Days with fans online on Saturday (09Jul16), in the hopes the song will promote positivity among the masses. Both stars also used the opportunity to express their solidarity with those involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Ariana shared a video clip of the tune on her Instagram account on Saturday, and captioned it: "During this challenging time, we have to remember that the only way we will progress is if the overruling force is #Love. 'Music is a universal language that all of us can feel regardless of color lines, gender, sexuality, age, race, religion.... it unifies us. We believe we can not fight hate with hate, only love. Just as we can not fight darkness with more darkness. Only Light.' Too many precious lives were taken from us this week, this month, this year."

Ariana concluded her statement by naming the victims of this week's shootings, writing: "Rest in peace #AltonSterling. Rest in peace #PhilandoCastile #BlackLivesMatter. And the police that were peacefully guarding the #BlackLivesMatter rally in Dallas.... Rest in peace. #LorneAhrens, #MichaelKrol, #MichaelJSmith, #BrentThompson & #PatrickZamarripa."

Meanwhile, Victoria also shared an emotional note with fans online as she debuted the tune.

"I'm heartbroken by all of the recent tragedies the came as a result of hatred, racism and injustice," she wrote. "Im (sic) also sad at how numb some of us are to it, because it is far too common! This is not a video game or a movie you're witnessing on your screens!This is our unfortunate REALITY! When I think about how I feel, the word confused comes to mind...So today we just want to try and help in one of the ways we know how!"

She concluded, "To all of the lives taken pointlessly, we will not let you be forgotten. You have sparked change in this world with your angel wings. Rest In Peace. Stay strong and know that better days are coming..."

Ariana and Victoria aren't the only stars channeling their emotions over the latest police shootings into song - on Friday (08Jul16), R&B star Miguel also shared a new song, titled How Many, which he had written in his London hotel room in response to the tragedies.