Feature Photo: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
Mariah Carey, one of the most influential and successful artists in modern music history, was born on March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York. Raised in a multiracial family, Carey faced challenges that shaped her resilience and artistry. Her early exposure to music came from her mother, Patricia, a former opera singer and vocal coach, who nurtured Carey’s extraordinary vocal talent. After graduating from high school, Carey moved to New York City, where she pursued her dream of becoming a singer. Her journey from aspiring artist to global icon began when she met Tommy Mottola, then-head of Columbia Records, at a party. After hearing her demo tape, Mottola signed Carey to Columbia, marking the start of a career that would redefine pop and R&B music.
Carey’s self-titled debut album, Mariah Carey, was released in 1990, showcasing her extraordinary five-octave vocal range and unique ability to blend pop, soul, and gospel influences. The album produced four consecutive number-one singles: “Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” cementing her status as a rising star. This was followed by Emotions in 1991, which further showcased her vocal prowess and versatility. Over the next three decades, Carey released a total of fifteen studio albums, including landmark works such as Music Box (1993), Daydream (1995), Butterfly (1997), and The Emancipation of Mimi (2005). Her ability to evolve sonically and lyrically ensured her longevity in a constantly shifting industry.
Carey’s impressive catalog of hit singles includes an astonishing 19 songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, a record for any solo artist. Among her most iconic tracks are “Hero,” “Fantasy,” “Always Be My Baby,” and “We Belong Together,” with the latter being hailed as one of the greatest songs of the 2000s. Her perennial holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has become a cultural phenomenon, returning to the top of the charts annually and breaking streaming records worldwide. The song’s enduring popularity underscores Carey’s ability to create timeless music that resonates across generations.
Throughout her career, Carey has amassed an extraordinary array of awards and accolades, including five Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. She was named Billboard’s Artist of the Decade for the 1990s and holds the distinction of being the only artist to have a number-one hit in four consecutive decades. In 2019, she was honored with the Billboard Icon Award, a testament to her unparalleled contributions to music and popular culture. Carey’s influence extends far beyond the charts, as she has inspired countless artists with her vocal techniques, songwriting, and trailblazing image.
What sets Carey apart is not just her remarkable vocal range but also her deep involvement in the creative process. As a prolific songwriter, she has co-written nearly all of her hits, infusing her music with authenticity and emotional depth. Her ability to write both heart-wrenching ballads and uplifting anthems has solidified her connection with fans worldwide. Carey’s role as a producer and arranger further underscores her multifaceted talent, as she meticulously crafts the soundscapes that accompany her unparalleled voice.
Beyond her musical achievements, Carey has made significant contributions to philanthropy and social causes. She has been a longtime supporter of the Fresh Air Fund, Camp Mariah, and various initiatives aimed at helping underprivileged youth. Carey’s openness about her struggles with mental health has also helped to break stigmas and encourage conversations about bipolar disorder, showing her commitment to using her platform for positive change.
Mariah Carey’s career is a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and raw talent. From her record-breaking achievements to her enduring impact on the music industry, she has become a symbol of excellence and longevity.
(#-B)
“100%” – AT&T Team USA Soundtrack (2010)
“4real4real” – E=MC² (2008)
“8th Grade” – Caution (2018)
“A No No” – Caution (2018)
“After Tonight” – Rainbow (1999)
“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” – Rainbow (1999)
“All I Live For” – The Rarities (2020)
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“All in Your Mind” – Mariah Carey (1990)
“Alone in Love” – Mariah Carey (1990)
“Always Be My Baby” – Daydream (1995)
“America the Beautiful” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“And You Don’t Remember” – Emotions (1991)
“Angel (The Prelude)” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Angels Cry” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Anytime You Need a Friend” – Music Box (1993)
“Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)” – Merry Christmas II You (2010)
“Babydoll” – Butterfly (1997)
“#Beautiful” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2013)
“The Beautiful Ones” – Butterfly (1997)
“Betcha Gon’ Know (The Prologue)” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Bliss” – Rainbow (1999)
“Boy (I Need You)” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“Breakdown” – Butterfly (1997)
“Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“Butterfly” – Butterfly (1997)
“Bye Bye” – E=MC² (2008)
“Camouflage” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“Can You Hear Me” – The Rarities (2020)
“Candy Bling” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Can’t Let Go” – Emotions (1991)
“Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)” – Rainbow (1999)
“Caution” – Caution (2018)
“Charlie Brown Christmas” – Merry Christmas II You (2010)
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“Christmas Time Is in the Air Again” – Merry Christmas II You (2010)
“Circles” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“Close My Eyes” – Butterfly (1997)
“Clown” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“Cool on You” – The Rarities (2020)
“Cruise Control” – E=MC² (2008)
“Cry.” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“Crybaby” – Rainbow (1999)
(D-H)
“Daydream Interlude” (Fantasy Sweet Dub Mix) – Daydream (1995)
“Dedicated” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“Did I Do That?” – Rainbow (1999)
“Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” – Glitter (2001)
“Do You Know Where You’re Going To (Theme from Mahogany)” – #1’s (1998)
“Do You Think of Me” – B-side to “Dreamlover” (1993)
“Don’t Forget About Us” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“Don’t Stop (Funkin’ 4 Jamaica)” – Glitter (2001)
“Dreamlover” – Music Box (1993)
“El Amor Que Soñé” – Daydream (1995)
“Emotions” – Emotions (1991)
“Endless Love” – Songs (1994)
“Everything Fades Away” – Music Box (1993)
“Faded” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“Fall in Love at Christmas” – Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues… (2021)
“Fantasy” – Daydream (1995)
“The First Noel”/”Born Is the King (Interlude)” – Merry Christmas II You (2010)
“Fly Away” (Butterfly Reprise) – Butterfly (1997)
“Fly Like a Bird” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“For the Record” – E=MC² (2008)
“Forever” – Daydream (1995)
“Fourth of July” – Butterfly (1997)
“Get Your Number” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“Givin’ Me Life” – Caution (2018)
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“Got a Thing 4 You” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“GTFO” – Caution (2018)
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”/”Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“H.A.T.E.U.” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Heartbreaker” – Rainbow (1999)
“Heat” – E=MC² (2008)
“Heavenly (No Ways Tired/Can’t Give Up Now)” – Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
“Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)”/”Housetop Celebration” – Merry Christmas II You (2010)
“Here We Go Round Again” – The Rarities (2020)
“Hero” – Music Box (1993)
“Honey” – Butterfly (1997)
“How Much” – Rainbow (1999)
(I-J)
“I Am Free” – Daydream (1995)
“I Don’t” – (featuring YG) (2017)
“I Don’t Wanna Cry” – Mariah Carey (1990)
“I Know What You Want” – Charmbracelet (2003)
“I Only Wanted” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“I Pray” – The Rarities (2020)
“I Stay in Love” – E=MC² (2008)
“I Still Believe” – #1’s (1998)
“I Want to Know What Love Is” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“I Wish You Knew” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“I Wish You Well” – E=MC² (2008)
“I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time” – E=MC² (2008)
“I’ll Be There” – MTV Unplugged (1992)
“I’ve Been Thinking About You” – Music Box (1993)
“I’m That Chick” – E=MC² (2008)
“If It’s Over” – Emotions (1991)
“If We” – Glitter (2001)
“The Impossible” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“The Impossible (The Reprise)” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“In the Mix” – (2019)
“Infamous” – (2016)
“Infinity” – #1 to Infinity (2015)
“Inseparable” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“Irresistible (West Side Connection)” – Charmbracelet (2002)
“It’s a Wrap” – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
“It’s Like That” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“It’s Only Make Believe” – Overnight Sensational (2006)
“Jesus Born on This Day” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“Joy Ride” – The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
“Joy to the World” – Merry Christmas (1994)
“Just Stand Up!” – (2008)
“Just to Hold You Once Again” – Music Box (1993)
(K-O)
(P-Z)
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