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About Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales: Top 5 MC albums: 1. Me. I Am Mariah 2. Emotions 3. Butterfly 4. E=MC2 5. Charmbracelet

Respect (61,930) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Whilst I know some people make say things that stoke our inner flames, let's try not to let the board descend to personal attacks. I'm not trying to tell anybody what to do, but fighting fire with fire is counterproductive, and whilst I feel heated discussion is good (if not encouraged as it shows passion), it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for everybody else. Andrew, you are the Katie Hopkins of our little family here for certain. And Licia, I always enjoy your posts. You always speak your mind but never cross a boundary, and I love your straight talking way. It's fun to see personalities develop the more people post. I wish everybody a happy Sunday. (Sunday 8 May 2016; 15:42)

Class (61,913) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I would suggest that each person has a vastly different definition of class. To each their own. (Saturday 7 May 2016; 21:24)

King and Queen Lambassador (61,876) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales How fascinating, we have both the King and Queen in the house. Interesting. Anyway. It's my opinion, and I've no interest in whether you or anybody else believes or considers me a fan. As somebody who has paid heavily into the Carey brand, I'm more than allowed to voice my opinion. I'm not telling anybody what to do, and ultimately it's not my career or legacy, so at the end of the day I won't lose sleep. I just care enough to say - it doesn't have to continue being the circus side show it's become. Also pretty much everybody has said they aren't concerned with Mariah hitting number one or not. I don't know where that came from. If you think this is the way forward and it's all wonderful, great, I respect your feelings. Enjoy your Friday, as I'll enjoy mine, and raise my glass to you all. (Friday 6 May 2016; 21:47)

A vicious cycle (61,855) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Well the negativity you're feeling comes from concerns about people who really do love Mariah. You know what's more dangerous than a hater? An enabler. A hater stands from afar spewing bike, but an enabler could pretend to be your best friend, even a family member, watching you destroy your career/life/relationship, all the while happy to do so as they gain from that. I write these messages of late in an almost desperate attempt that Mariah or somebody close to her will do something - quite frankly I believe that many of us here on this board would do better to save and catapult this legacy back into the aeons of eternal legend. Right now this is looking more and more like a cautionary tale, akin to a story from the brothers Grimm or Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? (Friday 6 May 2016; 16:44)

Andrew (61,846) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Well, yes Andrew, you do put it rather more bluntly whilst I always try and take a more diplomatic tone. Haha. We often think along similar lines, just with a difference in delivery. (Thursday 5 May 2016; 19:59)

Social media presence (61,839) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I understand that a lot of success these days relies on an artists visibility, but some of the things I'm seeing lately make me cringe. I miss the days when Mariah was actually elusive, she had such an air of mystery, and that was so intriguing - the golden voiced beauty waltzed into the charts, into our lives, and then was gone again. Now, with the lap dances, semi naked grinding on dancers, butt cheek Instagram pic, drunk at parties, I don't know what I'm actually witnessing. At the moment it doesn't feel like a fabulous and blessed life, it kind of feels like witnessing somebody on the edge. There is such a thing as over exposure, and the comments and reactions are often unkind. It's either die hard lambs vehemently defending the behaviour or Joe public ridiculing it. As a true fan and somebody who loves Mariah, sometimes I'd like to see someone enjoying life, enjoying the rewards of hard work but also living with some humility and pride. I've also been a huge defender of the faith, but I just feel frustrated and quite often confused lately. Maybe I just need to lighten up. (Thursday 5 May 2016; 16:29)

On the topic of number ones (61,774) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Really, they don't matter anymore. I'm not just saying it as an excuse, but to be massively popular and thought of as successful, nobody is concerned with who number one is. It's been forever since I listened to or looked at a chart, and I can't tell you a single number from the UK in the last three years (I'd probably know the song and maybe even have the song, but no idea if it's number one or not). The point is, since the chart started and until maybe the latter years of the noughties, being number one or having a number one single was a huge deal. The way music is listened to, experienced and shared now means that really, charts are almost redundant. It's both a good and bad thing like everything, but regardless of what happens with Rihanna, nobody can ever replicate the magic of Mariah's career, and what happened at that time. It's a long gone era, but the era in which Marish reigned. As it was and always will be, let the kids have the charts now. For me it's all about the music. (Monday 2 May 2016; 13:19)

On the subject of being sexy (61,702) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Just because you walk around practically nude except for a few strategically placed bits of material, this means you're confident and comfortable in your own skin? Well, I'd like to respectfully disagree. In a world where image is everything and being shocking and outrageous gets you more attention than actual talent, I think it takes an incredibly confident person to not resort to outlandish behaviours or body baring outfits to showcase yourself. It seems the more normal you are, the more prone you are to be called boring, and in age where everybody is desperate to be individual yet everybody does the same thing and uses the same platforms to showcase their originality, boring is the worst thing you can be. I'm saying this because do I feel Mariah is confident when she struts around half naked? No I don't believe that for a second. I don't think it empowers her or makes her seem more in control. Quite the opposite, in fact. Now this is my opinion, so please don't start with the "you don't know her personally so how do you know?" malarkey. I don't, I'm just saying that's what I feel and how I see it. The Honey video? Now that felt sexy and confident. Even the costumes on her SSF tour seem confident to me, quite show girl. But at other times, it almost screams desperation, like, "Look at me. I don't care what you think. Look how hot I am." I genuinely think Mariah is one of the most beautiful women of all time, I think she is desperately beautiful. But for once (and I know it ain't gonna happen, and I should get over it, yeah yeah yeah) I wish that more of these female stars would appreciate that they are beautiful and do have amazing bodies and that actually, people would be just as happy to listen (and perhaps more able to concentrate) if they allowed sexiness and confidence to shine from within. (Thursday 28 April 2016; 10:39)

Jono (61,612) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Instead of being intentionally dense and avoiding the point I made, where I clearly stated how I felt she had changed, respond directly. But I'll play along and say it as though you were dense, although you aren't. Mariah has changed in that she lives in an almost farcical fantasy world, where everything is super controlled and contrived, and it almost seems the sparkle has gone. It's not about artistry anymore, it's about "being" Mariah Carey. Obviously not being a living legend I can't and don't know how it feels and how that would change a person, but I still feel it's sad when someone with so much spirit, the spirit that attracted you in the first place, seems to be gone. (Monday 25 April 2016; 15:13)

Mariah (61,600) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Look closely, and you'll see the truth. Mariah is a different person now. I've loved what I experienced, and what I've seen, and girl can sing like no other, but the Mariah of 1990 is gone. Gone is the desire to be the best singer of all time, and in place is a plastic look and voiced person who so totally buys into their own persona, a true fan can see it bluntly. I love Mariah (anyone who'd say I don't, I paid money to stand in a room with her). But the authenticity and passion has gone. Gone is the girl who wanted to do nothing but be known for her voice, and in her place is a robot. I congratulate Miss Carey on her success, but I damn her for her loss of spirit. I have been an incredible lamb forever, and will always love "my Mariah", but I feel we've lost all the greats to addiction, be it physical or mental. (Monday 25 April 2016; 1:06)

Infinity (61,120) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Wanted a change of subject. I love this song so much. I don't understand the hate it gets. I actually love it. I've been around the world a lot since its release, and I always put it on as the plane takes off. Just love it. Big, big fan of this amazing song. Never ignore this or pretend it didn't happen, Mariah. Some of us love it. (Friday 8 April 2016; 0:55)

Andrew and the glass of Cristal (61,116) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I'm glad you got my humour. I absolutely run away with myself in terms of ideas of what it would be. In many ways, I think Mariah could take the diva lessons from me. I love this board and have been visiting since 2003. I adore everybody here, even the much love-to-hate Andrew. We all have an opinion and a part to play, and I love being part of this ridiculously over the top, diverse family. (Thursday 7 April 2016; 23:24)

Dear Mariah (61,115) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I know that you don't know me, and you probably never will. Meeting you and having the opportunity not just to see you again in concert but have my extremely brief time with you means more to me than you will ever know, but I have to say these few words. You have inspired and encouraged me so much over the years, your talent, character and ability to make me feel like I'm a special and worthwhile person has been otherworldly. I feel like we are kindred spirits. I'm an anomaly in life, and I feel you are, too. But you own it, you accept it and you embrace it. That makes me feel it's ok for me to do so, too. Thank you so, so much for everything you have done for me from afar. I know you're not perfect, and I love that about you. It's what draws me to you, time and again. I know that you're a diva, I know that you're out of my world and in your own, but just admiring someone like you, who I feel represents outsiders, makes me feel acceptable. I'll never forget that moment in time I spent with you, and I can only say that I always send you love, good wishes and happiness from my small corner of your world. You are an idol, an inspiration and a person whom deserves the success and adulation you relieve. If it's possible to love somebody from afar, I love you, Miss Carey. Please continue to shine. There are many who's light you exude rely on. From a most appreciative and grateful lamb, Anthony. (Thursday 7 April 2016; 23:19)

About the meet and greet (61,095) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I understand what you're saying Andrew, and of course when I bought the meet and greet ticket back in December I thought that I would get to, you know, meet her haha. I had so much in my head that I wanted to say, I wondered maybe there might even be a glass of Cristal each (yes, I know) and so many imagined scenarios, so it was a shock to be waiting in a line to have a picture taken and then leave again. That being said, Mariah is one of the last of the musical greats, of an era the likes of which will never be seen again. To think that everytime now I see a pic of her with Elton John, Aretha or any celebrity I can say "I have a pic with her, too" does make me feel kind of warm inside. All I can say is, for me personally, it wasn't a waste of money. (Thursday 7 April 2016; 1:18)

TJ (61,092) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Hi TJ. I'm very short, 5'6 or 168cm. I think MC is 5'9 but she always has on those gigantic skyscraper heels haha. She really is breath-taking in the flesh, the moment was so surreal, and yes it was very brief. Everything that Tina said about waiting etc was true for my experience also, however personally I'm over the moon because although it was the briefest of moments, it is an item that I can check off my bucket list. And the fact that it was so quick makes it seem a bit like a dream, which my whimsical personality seems to enjoy. But I'll always have the picture evidence, and and I was so happy the picture turned out as it did. It was kind of a "one shot and you're out" deal. Make that shot count haha. (Wednesday 6 April 2016; 23:28)

Andrew / price to meet Mariah (61,081) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Hi Andrew, I paid £535 for the Meet and Greet ticket. Do I consider it worth it? Absolutely. That pic of me and Mariah is my favourite pic ever now haha. (Wednesday 6 April 2016; 18:13)

Mariah in Cardiff (60,802) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales So Monday night was my second time to see Mariah in the UK, the first being in Birmingham in 2003 (when I was 14, Lord save me) and also the night my opinion of her changed forever. If I thought it was impossible to love someone more, I was wrong. I was completely floored by this concert, and this almost new and improved Mariah. Not only did she look amazing and sound phenomenal, gone was the awkwardness and stiffness of previous performances, replaced with a woman who laughed freely and loudly, interacted with fans like old friends and simply entertained. Although the stage production was minimal, this only added to the experience, as there was nothing to distract from the woman wonder that is Mariah Carey. To those in the media who have said she has no stage presence, well, I can assure you this is quite false; it is electrifying to see one of the worlds last megastars of a bygone era so up close. Being in the second row, I was able to witness just how much was live, and believe me, that was the majority of the concert. If the voice ever left the building, it decided to come back to stay. The lows were staggering, the highs triumphant, and Mariah has, in my eyes and in my heart at least, fully cemented her legacy. Thank you Mariah for truly making dreams come true. I love you. (Friday 25 March 2016; 9:46)

Tears (58,866) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Great topic, Randy. I think the first song that ever really got me like an arrow to my heart was Butterfly. The first time I ever heard that, I was still a new Mariah fan, and became a fan because of Through The Rain (fun fact: my first MC album was Charm Bracelet, and the year I became a fan, she did a concert here in the UK, lucky guy). I bought all the albums that I could at the time from record shops, and Butterfly was one of the initial three after Charm Bracelet, the others being Glitter and Music Box. I listened to the Butterfly album first, and even as young as I was, Butterfly (the song) floored me. But the first and one of only a handful of songs that has ever made me actually bawl with tears? Outside, from that same album. Whilst Butterfly touched my heart, Outside danced with my soul. Seriously, to this day, I have never heard a song that I can relate to on such a profound level. As I get older and become more confident and accepting of myself, I'm slowly becoming different to that person, but I'll always be able to relate to that song, because I know how it feels. Special times. On a side note, I cried when I first listened to Cry, just because I thought it was so beautiful. Yes, I am an emotional wreck haha. Happy New Year guys. (Sunday 3 January 2016; 16:07)

Meet and greet package (58,453) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales So, today I bought a meet and greet for the concert in my city, Cardiff. After over 15 years of being a fan, I'm finally about to meet my idol. Today is a blessed day. A very Merry Christmas to everybody. (Tuesday 15 December 2015; 14:26)

Proud to be a Mariah fan (56,178) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Whether or not she makes all these quite profound and ground-breaking changes people suggest (lose weight, dress more conservatively and become "more mature") I am and always will be extremely proud to be a huge Mariah fan. How shallow for me to be embarrassed to be a fan. Again, do I think Mariah is perfect? No. But what I do admire about her is she is doing it her way, and contrary to popular opinion, I for one truly don't believe she's ignorant to the point of only listening to yes people and doesn't know the opinion of the wider public. Maybe it's another act of rebellion, because the public and media has not for a very long time given her the respect she deserves. So maybe now she doesn't give a hoot. And I for one applaud her for that. On a final note, all those people talking about Infinity being an awful song as if this is a fact, I hate to burst your bubble but it's not a fact and I absolutely love Infinity. It's very special to me and I think it's a beautiful song. I understood where Mariah was when she wrote it. Please can we all respectfully recognise our own opinions are not gospel, and regardless of the "evidence" we can provide to back up our claims, things like good or bad songs are just opinions. (Friday 21 August 2015; 12:35)

Ardis re: other artists (55,368) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Nice topic. I too love Lana Del Rey. She's like my favourite current artist (when I say this I mean other than MC because she's my favourite artist ever, period). Her melodies, lyrics and vocals are so haunting, I think she has incredible talent and is doing something so different to everything else out there. Also listened to MC singing TGIFY at Las Vegas and it was another wow moment for me. Just so thrilling and relaxing, I felt like I was in an upmarket New York jazz club. Simply divine. (Monday 20 July 2015; 23:12)

Licia (55,340) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales I didn't say you said that. No I did not say that. I said many of us were brought up that men should earn women should be home makers. That's what I said. I didn't say anything about you saying Mariah should do the same. I was simply rejecting the idea that being brought up a certain way doesn't mean you have to share that idea. I wasn't attacking anyone, nor was I putting words in your mouth. Nor am I attacking Nick. I was directly replying to your comment about the way people are brought up defining their thoughts and opinions. I have no opinion on how other people live their lives as frankly it's none of my business and I have no time picking apart other people. I just offered a different way of looking at things. (Sunday 19 July 2015; 17:43)

Licia re: workings moms and househusbands (55,331) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales Licia, I understand that's the way you were brought up, and so too were many of us here that men were the earners and women the home makers. Just because that's how we were brought up doesn't make it right to carry that thought process forward. Times have changed dramatically and carrying forward old fashioned notions can't be excused by "that's how I was brought up". I was brought up that every little boy grew up to be a man who fell in love with a woman and made babies. It's a good job I was able to change my mindset regarding what I was brought up to know because as a gay man that would have caused a plethora of problems. Just saying. (Sunday 19 July 2015; 12:04)

Can we get a standing ovation in the house? (53,692) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales That performance on Michael and Kelly was just too perfect. There can be no complaints. Singing. She sang. And it was perfection. Just so superstar, so sure, so Mariah. I just thought it was incredible. And JLo, honey, checking your phone how to be a good vocalist is less helpful than getting tips from a pro. Different performance, yes, but for [censored] sake, learn something. Talent vs commerciality? Talent wins everytime, regardless of sales. There is a reason MC is regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time, and this is why. Go Mariah. So happy. (Saturday 23 May 2015; 0:28)

My take on the new single (first lesson) (52,453) by Anthony Basco from Cardiff, Wales This song is magnificent. I absolutely love it. It is so full of empowerment, full of strength, full of hope, you can hear that there is a bittersweet sadness there, however, the song promises you can and will overcome this. Whatever trial you are going through in your life, I know it is a love song, but for me personally, it is a song that I will listen to whenever I feel broken, because it speaks to my heart and breathes one word, triumph. This song could not have come at a better time for me. Thank you Mariah. Still ruling my heart after all these years. (Tuesday 28 April 2015; 5:28)

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