Even two decades after one of the most impressive returns in pop history, Mariah Carey still isn't done proving herself. In 2005, she reemerged as a powerhouse on the Billboard charts with The Emancipation of Mimi after years of personal and professional turbulence. The set was a behemoth, and it all began with "We Belong Together", which showed that one of the biggest stars in music history had finally found her footing.
Now, with new singles out and an album on the horizon, the icon is eyeing another comeback - this time in an industry that looks nothing like the one she once dominated.
In March of 2005, Carey unveiled "We Belong Together", a slow-burning R&B ballad that reminded the world of her vocal prowess and songwriting talents. The track didn't just perform well - it became one of the biggest smashes of the decade. The tune would spend 14 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in the summer of that year, and it quickly stood out as one of the longest-running leaders ever.
Powered by the success of "We Belong Together", The Emancipation of Mimi launched to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and quickly became one of the bestselling albums of the year. The project spawned additional smashes like "Don't Forget About Us" and fan favorites such as "Shake It Off". Critics hailed it as her strongest effort in years, and from the moment that the first single dropped - and certainly once it began ruling the Hot 100 - it was clear that her comeback was complete.
In 2025, Carey is back with new music, and she's looking for the same kind of comeback that she secured 20 years ago. Her new album Here for It All is scheduled for release on September 26, and she's already previewed the project with two singles: "Type Dangerous", a sleek, modern production that arrived in early June, and "Sugar Sweet", a multi-artist collaboration featuring Shenseea and Kehlani, which dropped in late July. So far, neither have become huge commercial wins, but this is a special chapter for Carey, and a comeback can look and sound different this time around.
For years now, Carey's annual seasonal dominance with "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has made her a fixture at the top of the Hot 100 every December. But even as that single reclaims the No. 1 spot toward the end of the year - something the singer openly embraces - Carey is looking to be known for more than just the one tune.
"We Belong Together" made her a superstar once more, the kind that could be counted on to produce a radio giant. Carey's latest chapter further underscores her abilities as a songwriter, a singer, and as a woman who continues to redefine her legacy with both decades-old tunes and new work at the same time, which is an incredibly tricky feat.
(Forbes)
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