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Mine (102,583) by Tevin from USA
I live this new song by Kelly Clarkson. I would love it if Mariah would create a song like this. Powerful vocals yet easier to sing.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 17:06)
Female singers (102,582) by Tevin from USA
Steven, out of curiosity, why do you think Beyonce is in her version of an E=MC2 era?
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 17:04)
this is a reply to message 102,570
Female singers (102,581) by BFF from United States
I disagree that Mariah's "racial identity" was concealed during her early years by Tommy. She is on the record in one of her first TV interviews in 1990 about this.

Critics like Nelson George who made Mariah's "racial identity" into a big deal were the problem, not Tommy. No other female singer of that era (or any era, really) was called upon by critics to constantly explain her "racial" background. No one made a big deal about Whitney Houston's background, Celine Dion's background, or Toni Braxton's background. Just Mariah's. And the people who constantly asked her to self-identify so were feeding into racialist and racist thinking. This is the same BS that got applied to gay/lesbian artists who would rather focus on their musical output than constantly have to discuss their sexual orientation.

The implication of this never-ending discussion is that African-Americans somehow are inherently better singers than people of European descent or that skin color has anything to do with singing ability. And Mariah was called upon to pander to this nonsense. Listen to a Janet Jackson record alongside a Celine Dion record, and you'll know that this is absolute BS. Fans who continue to focus on this (and even Mariah herself) cheapen Mariah's artistry and accomplishments.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 13:38)
this is a reply to message 102,580
Female singers (102,580) by Bobby A from United States
One thing that I did notice from 1990-1997 is that Tommy concealed her bi-racial identity in any way that he could. Go back and watch those early 90s performances and interviews, it was hard to tell during those years that MC was bi-racial at least for me. Tommy's oppressive behavior over MC really did something to her emotionally and mentally. MC was never the same woman after 1997.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 03:10)
this is a reply to message 102,578
If you were a star would you.... (102,579) by Tyler from USA
I'm sorry her but most successful and respected years has to be the TEOM era. No one does what she did after 15 years in the industry and being blacklisted.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 02:32)
this is a reply to message 102,573
Female singers (102,578) by BFF from United States
Oh, I totally agree that marrying Tommy undermined her credibility in the eyes of some people. I also agree that he had a positive impact on her career prior to their separation. I think Mariah also had a lot to do with her own success, but Tommy should be given the credit he is due. He was correct to steer her away from movies.

I wish she had opted not to marry him and instead only interacted with him in a professional capacity or maybe tried a bit harder post-1997 to be civil and professional. I think marrying him meant she had something to prove once they separated in 1997/98 and it resulted in her making a number of poor choices in the ensuing years just to be "anti-Tommy" rather than being "pro-Mariah". Backing out of the US leg of the "Butterfly" tour for that stupid movie with Chris Tucker (ugh), rushing the "Rainbow" album out the door, watering down the original concept for "Glitter", tacking way too many rappers onto songs on "Rainbow" and "Glitter", focusing too much on her image and not on her voice, etcetera.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 01:19)
this is a reply to message 102,575
Female singers (102,577) by Geronimo from USA
The real question is simply, "Did Tommy Mottola make you think you liked Mariah Carey, or did he make sure you had a chance to discover if you liked Mariah Carey during her vocal rather than artistic prime?"

If we only describe Mariah's success in terms of record sales, then, yes, Tommy's relationship to her success remains a valid topic for conversation. But if you base your understanding of her success on the long and difficult process of transforming her raw talent and creative drive into a form that true fans have loved to experience for the 35 years, then you have to give credit where credit is due.
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 00:32)
this is a reply to message 102,575
If you were a star would you.... (102,576) by JC from USA
This is where Taylor kind of crushes it. She uses fan accounts (ie Taylor Nation) to actually drive narratives, lay Easter eggs, etc.

I wouldn't look at basic headlines but I'd look at what my fans are posting and engage with them. I'd also have my team either run or work with fan sites/handles.

I'd also have my team use data through social monitoring tools to identify overall sentiment and trends. And also identify top level influencers that we should engage with.

...as someone that works in marketing.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 20:59)
this is a reply to message 102,573
Female singers (102,575) by Bill from the UK
"Marrying Tommy was a massive mistake because it meant she had zero separation between her personal and professional life, a recipe for burnout. And when it became clear that Tommy was sabotaging her during the 1998-2001 period, she had to work that much harder."

No one likes to say it, but the other side to this is that marrying Tommy made her lose a lot of credibility. There was a question mark over her success because she was cleverly married to the boss of the record company. If Tommy could quite easily sabotage her career, he could quite easily make her successful.

Her most successful years 1993-1997. The years she was Tommy's wife? 1993-1997.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 20:19)
this is a reply to message 102,572
"Emotions" album appreciation (102,574) by Brad from USA
It's interesting because while I know not many folks watch American Idol any longer, I did watch it last night and observed one contestant attempting to perform "Emotions", in her own way, and the judges even mentioning Mariah's name (twice) and saying they were "big shoes to fill". It's funny, more than 30 years later, the song and Mariah's performance of the song still have an influence on some aspiring singers. I personally think it is one of the most difficult songs to even attempt to sing, with whistle notes and the power and execution that Mariah demonstrated. I am not aware of a singer that has competently performed this song in the same way since Mariah. Perhaps an equally worthy testament of the sum of her staying power and effect.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 19:30)
this is a reply to message 102,562
If you were a star would you.... (102,573) by Joachim Agerup Løkkevik from Norway
Maybe not read comments and replies that often, I think that would have made me crazy. The comments are either overly positive or overly negative.

I might come to this board once in a while, because we are not yes people on this board. But maybe I would have stayed away when the messages become too harsh. But I would go for the constructive criticism.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 16:38)
this is a reply to message 102,568
Female singers (102,572) by BFF from United States
I think each case is unique, and I don't think this is necessarily an issue of industry sexism. Britney Spears and her management chose for her to have an inappropriately sexualized image from the start of her career, and I believe that is the genesis of a lot of her issues. Britney could push herself harder on the choreography front because she didn't write/produce her own material and never sang live.

I believe Mariah overworked herself due to her deep-seated insecurity around identity, the chaotic/dysfunctional nature of her childhood, and her decision to become romantically involved with her boss (Tommy). It definitely did not help when Nelson George called her a "white girl who can sing black" and when people started setting her against Whitney Houston. And let's be honest, Whitney and her fans wish that she had written and sang a song as great as "Vision of Love". Still grinds my gears that Whitney is seen as having more "credibility" when she didn't write or produce a damn word of her own material.

Marrying Tommy was a massive mistake because it meant she had zero separation between her personal and professional life, a recipe for burnout. And when it became clear that Tommy was sabotaging her during the 1998-2001 period, she had to work that much harder. But really ever since 2001, Mariah has been pretty relaxed on the career front. Long periods between studio albums, some touring but nothing as strenuous as what other artists do, detours into movies. I don't think Mariah has pushed herself particularly hard since the early 2000s.

The bottom line is that all people in the entertainment business opted into this for their career and can walk away at any time if it's too much for them. They all have the privilege of earning a living from something other people do as a hobby.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 16:20)
this is a reply to message 102,567
Female singers (102,571) by MusicfanJ from Germany
Well, I think there's nothing harder for women than showbusiness. And I wonder if it will ever change? Look at the Stones, Elton John, Sting, Bryan Adams. Nobody cares how old they are, for women it should be the same. But it's not. Tina Turner, Gladys Knight and Cher are really the coolest who showed how wrong the media and record companies are. But they are sadly rare indeed. Music should never be about age or anything. It's so dumb. A voice, talent is the only thing that is needed. Something that is totally missed by most of today's "artists".
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 11:22)
this is a reply to message 102,570
Female singers (102,570) by Steven Berning from USA
Preach. Yes, the double standard is crazy. I remember reading an article about Pink having to "fight" to get her songs played after 35. 35 is old?

Mariah beat the odds with hits like "Obsessed" and "Beautiful".

Mark my words, Beyonce is going through her E=MC2 phrase right now. Her fans better get ready for memeroirs and beyond.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 09:26)
this is a reply to message 102,567
Streams (102,569) by Terna from Nigeria
Oh yeah, I noticed this on Spotify too just under a year and her followers were not even near 20 million. Only to check during the Christmas festive season and notice that massive jump. She gained about over 6 million if not more in just maybe two months. Lol.
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 09:09)
this is a reply to message 102,566
If you were a star would you.... (102,568) by Lady B from USA
1. Read your social media comments/replies?
2. Read your fan boards?
Bonus question:
3. If you were the star that is the subject of this fan board, would you read it a second time? (Assuming you checked it once and saw the content, would you come back?)
(Tuesday 18 April 2023; 06:36)
Female singers (102,567) by Bobby A from United States
Why do female singers seemed to have various career setbacks and have a hard time telling people no more than male singers? From MC to Britney to Ariana to Adele to Toni Braxton, it has happened to them all. They just to seem to have more career problems after a fast ride to success. While male singers from Usher to Kem to Sam Smith to Ed Sherran have more of a balanced approach to their career success. Are female singers pushed harder to become successful at a faster pace than their male counterparts? Looking at Ariana's recent video post of her looking frail and not looking like she did 2 years ago prompted my post. She looks like she is just tired from recording and touring from the past 10 years.
(Monday 17 April 2023; 04:35)
Streams (102,566) by Mariahsbaby from usa
Mariah Carey's monthly listeners on Spotify on this day:

2023: 23.075.729! #190
2022: 18.058.770! #219
2021: 14.389.552! #283

The growth is crazy.

PS: I forgot about Addie, I have seen her gorgeous picture.
(Sunday 16 April 2023; 15:05)
"Emotions" album appreciation (102,565) by MusicfanJ from Germany
Absolutely. It's an outstanding album, it belongs to her best. I love the mix of soul, pop, gospel, and house. The lyrics are one of my favourites. It's crazy that she wrote "better" grown-up lyrics with 21/22 than in her 30ies/40ies. The songs are so poetical. The voice, oh my. Still so fresh and powerful. The ballads are the best. "Make it Happen" what a hymn. "The Wind" epic that jazz instrumental and Mariah's soft and powerful voice. It's unbelievable the way she could sing at such a young age. Classy all the way. Plus her look, and the art of the album. Everytime I listen to it, it's like medicine for the ears and soul. This album needs all the appreciation.
(Sunday 16 April 2023; 14:31)
this is a reply to message 102,562
New Mariah titles (one word) (102,564) by Edward from USA
Since you seem to be a baby lamb, let me enlighten you with some basic knowledge, there's nobody white on Mariah Carey paternal side.

Mariah's Carey paternal grandmother was Addie Carey. Addie was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina to an Alabama-born mother Emma Cutright and a North Carolina-born father Will Cole. She was a dark skinned woman of African-American descent. According to an interview with Mariah, Addie had a sister called Sarah Cole Reese ("Nana Reese") who was a Pentecostal Minister. She was called over to the family home when Mariah was 4 years old after an incident occurred involving Mariah's family.

On 16 August 1928, Addie married Robert Carey (formerly Roberto Nuñez) in Manhattan, New York City. A year later she gave birth to a son, Alfred Roy Carey, Mariah's father. In 1930 she is listed on the census as living on St Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan N.Y.C with Alfred and Robert.

When Alfred was a young boy, Addie and Robert got a divorce. Alfred was subsequently raised by his mother Addie in both Harlem and the Bronx.

However, Robert Carey ended up remarrying a woman referred to by Mariah as her step-grandmother "Nana Ruby". They had two or more daughters together. Alfred therefore has two or more half sisters through his father. Mariah only got to meet her paternal grandfather Robert when she was roughly around the age of 6 as her father was raised almost exclusively by his mother Addie. As of the mid-late 2000s, Mariah's step grandmother was still alive.

It was mentioned from an interview in the early 90's that on the odd occasion, Mariah would accompany her grandmother Addie to a Pentecostal Church when she was a young girl. She was described by Mariah as "statuesque" and "beautiful", but also "blunt" as she had a tendency to be "really rough at times".

According to various interviews with Mariah throughout the 2000's, Addie made a small fortune working in Real Estate. She was known to be a very spiritual person. According to Mariah's second cousin Lavinia, Addie had a charm bracelet which included a mustard seed charm.

If you would like a picture of Ms. Addie Carey, I can provide that too.
(Sunday 16 April 2023; 14:10)
this is a reply to message 102,563
New Mariah titles (one word) (102,563) by Mariahsbaby from usa
You must be confusing sweet Nana Ruby with her actually parental grandmother, whom we don't know much about aside from that fact that she is Venezuelan. But the infamous and loving Nana Ruby is Mariah's grandfathers second wife.

Why would she separate the paternal grandparents and make the point that one was Venezuelan and the other black, I'm assuming the real grandma was white.

I don't recall Mariah mentioning her grandfather's real mother more than once, I would love to know more about her Venezuelan roots. I also don't think Mariah really got to experience that side of her roots.
(Sunday 16 April 2023; 02:50)
this is a reply to message 102,559
"Emotions" album appreciation (102,562) by BFF from United States
I find myself looking back on this album/era regretting that it hasn't been properly appreciated by fans and critics alike. I consider it Mariah's most "adult" album and my second favorite behind "Butterfly". Songs like "Can't Let Go", "If It's Over", Make It Happen", "So Blessed" and others sound and feel like they were recorded/written by someone much older than early 20s. Having C+C Music Factory alongside Walter Afanasieff really helped her strike a "just right" balance of soul, pop, gospel, and house.

It was also unique in the sense that she was not yet married to Tommy but had full control over the creative direction of the album. It makes me wonder what her trajectory would have been if she hadn't decided to marry Tommy. Don't get me wrong, I love "Music Box" and "Daydream", but "Emotions" really tops both of those records in terms of writing, vocals, and production. She seemed much happier in the "Emotions" period and not very happy during the 1993-1996 period. It's such a unique moment in her catalog and career.
(Sunday 16 April 2023; 02:19)
Just wondering (102,561) by Bobby A from United States
MC was a part of the writing session of Daryl Hall's Help Me Find A Way To Your Heart with Walter A. and Daryl Hall. I am just wondering if there is a duet of the song between MC and Daryl Hall in vault somewhere waiting to be dusted off. The title just sounds more like a duet than what is on his album Soul Alone. If it is, it would be nice to hear it one day. Who knows what can happen. I got my fingers crossed for We're Not Making Love Anymore with Michael Bolton will see the light of day.
(Saturday 15 April 2023; 22:34)
New Mariah titles (102,560) by John from USA
Wind Chimes
Enthrall. Escape. Elope
Enthralled. Eloped. Escaped (the meaning changes when you rearrange the words)
Compositions
The Second Coming
Rumors, Reasons, and Rhymes
Risque Rendezvous
Finding My Voice (not an insult, but a double entendre on finding the words to express but at the same time rediscovering her confidence to sing)
(Saturday 15 April 2023; 18:26)
New Mariah titles (one word) (102,559) by Edward from USA
Actually her grandfather's last name was Nuñez. He changed it to "Carey" when he came to America to be more accepted. He and both his parents were Venezuelan too. Marian's grandmother was African American. Technically her real name would be Mariah Nuñez.
(Saturday 15 April 2023; 02:07)
this is a reply to message 102,558

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