Messageboard | The Mariah Carey Archives

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HQ album artwork (114,148) by Bill from the UK

Try fanart.tv or album art exchange. I uploaded all MC's single covers to the latter that I spent hours painstakingly correcting and perfecting in Photoshop.
(Monday 13 July 2026; 07:25)


this is a reply to message		114,127

The greatest female artist of all time snub (114,147) by Lambi from USA

I thought deeply about that, I still think using samples is part of an artist's artistry. It's basically an extension of your musical taste and ear.

Mariah could technically transpose by sounding out similar beat tempo like she did here at 1:05 for Oh Santa.

Producers have their pre-packaged beats that you have to buy anyway so she just chooses to bank on something that she already knows will absolutely work. It's rather clever.

She seems to just utilize whatever she picked up on her palette through the years of being a relentless radio addict.

Everyone in hip-hop samples. It's really about what you can do with them. It still takes a really good ear to turn them into hits, and she definitively has that. Ended up re-shaping pop music with it actually.
(Monday 13 July 2026; 05:19)


this is a reply to message		114,125

I could never forget about Daydream (114,146) by Lainsky from Philippines

Oh, I see. If that's her reply, she must be focusing on Daydream 30. However, it would be more lit if Glitter 25 were included in whatever surprise she has for us.
(Monday 13 July 2026; 04:40)


this is a reply to message		114,140

Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,145) by Lambi from USA

I can understand the people who genuinely think Whitney is vocally better and back it up, she is right up there in terms of tone, and we're talking pure singing, not songwriting.

But what I can't quite accept is the sheer disgust towards Mariah, they're essentially saying, "Why would you even ask me that?", "They're not even comparable."

I feel heavily gaslit whenever I encounter such arrogance. But then you realize the people being interviewed cannot even name one note and have no idea what they're talking about.

Though, respectfully, I will give Whitney the formidable badge of honor. Sony pumped money on MC's debut to combat Arista's enormous success with her.

Truly, she was one of the driving forces as to why Mariah sang her ass off. Some sort of pressure was necessary. She was rather a positively, healthy competition.
(Monday 13 July 2026; 02:25)


this is a reply to message		114,131

I could never forget about Daydream (114,144) by Bobby A from United States

What could MC possibly have in store for Daydream 30? Are there more leftover tracks that were not chosen for the album?

(Monday 13 July 2026; 00:28)


this is a reply to message		114,141

Daydream 30 (114,143) by MusicfanJ from Germany

Oh yes, me too. Daydream forever.

(Sunday 12 July 2026; 15:08)


this is a reply to message		114,138

Daydream 30 (114,142) by TJ from Norway

Since it's a year on overtime, I hope it's filled with that secret album. But Daydream 30 and Glitter 25 this autumn? Maybe Glitter is put in the freezer for the next 5 years.
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 14:11)


this is a reply to message		114,138

I could never forget about Daydream (114,141) by TheButterflyReturns from United States

I'm freaking out. Daydream 30 and Glitter 25. I remember earlier this year Mariah said she had an "epic" year in store. She wasn't lying.
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 13:25)


this is a reply to message		114,134

I could never forget about Daydream (114,140) by Lighty from China

Oh Mariah replied on Instagram "I want Chick out too but let Daydream have its moment dahhlings." So that's it.

(Sunday 12 July 2026; 12:41)


this is a reply to message		114,134

WH vs MC (114,139) by Zachariah from Croatia

Every time there's a discussion about the greatest vocalists in history, Whitney Houston's name almost automatically gets declared untouchable. It's as if any criticism is forbidden. But few want to admit the obvious fact: in the last years of her life, her voice was no longer what it once was. Longstanding health and addiction issues left a deep mark on her vocal abilities, and performances that once thrilled became uneven and often painful to watch.

If Whitney Houston had lived another ten or fifteen years and continued performing regularly, it's questionable whether the audience would still unanimously call her the greatest singer of all time. It's more likely that, like many other legends, she would have had to hear criticism that she no longer had the voice that made her famous. Death stopped that story at a moment when the myth could have outweighed the reality.

If there is a double standard in the music industry, it is most clearly seen in the example of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Whitney Houston is today almost unanimously described as the greatest voice of all time.

Her best performances are talked about for a reason - they were spectacular. But it is rarely mentioned that in the final years of her life her voice was seriously compromised. Had she continued performing for another decade, it is very possible she would have faced the same criticism that many music veterans face today.

On the other hand, Mariah Carey has been going through media attacks for years. When a performance isn't perfect, social media floods with accusations of lip-syncing, ridicule, and claims that she can no longer sing. As if no one remembers that it was she who, during the nineties and early 2000s, set vocal technique standards that few can reach.

That doesn't mean Mariah sings today the same way she did 25 years ago. She doesn't. But Whitney Houston didn't sing the same in the last years of her life as she did at the peak of her career either. The difference is that Whitney is mostly judged today by her best recordings, while Mariah is judged every day by every new performance.

Maybe it's time to stop comparing artists based on their worst days or idealizing them after they've passed. If we want to be fair, we have to acknowledge both the highs and lows of all great singers - whether they're still with us or not.
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 11:11)

Daydream 30 (114,138) by Stacey from USA

Oh my gosh, I am freaking out, lol. I love the tease MC gave us.

(Sunday 12 July 2026; 10:30)

Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,137) by Lainsky from Philippines

Ah yes. Lead The Way, I concur. I have been listening to this ballad more and more lately. It was so flawless.
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 04:57)


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Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,136) by Lainsky from Philippines

Fair points. I agree, especially with how many younger singers Mariah has influenced, the vocal technicalities, and sadly, the lip-syncing. However, it's still her voice, artistry, and musical ability. Regardless, for me, she will always be the greatest artist of all time. So, yes, it's Mariah Carey.
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 04:54)


this is a reply to message		114,126

HQ album artwork (114,135) by Lighty from China

Try theMariahnetwork.

(Sunday 12 July 2026; 04:14)


this is a reply to message		114,127

I could never forget about Daydream (114,134) by Lighty from China

Mariah posted a blurred photo of the Daydream photoshoot on FB and IG. Could it be the belated Daydream30 or Daydream30+Someone's Ugly Daughter (finally)? Let's wait and see.

(Sunday 12 July 2026; 03:05)

Daydream re-release pending? (114,133) by TheButterflyReturns from United States

Mariah just posted a mysterious message about Daydream on Instagram: Looks like we might be getting a 30th anniversary release after all. Maybe it just got delayed because of "Here For it All", the Mimi concerts and the Christmas shows?
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 02:46)

Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,132) by Bobby A from United States

It makes me sad too because every TV performance that MC gives keeps me wondering for once why can't she just sing live. MC can't even sing live during her Christmas shows anymore. These lyrics from Lead the Way make me think about what MC's voice use to be able to convey so effortlessly without worrying about her vocal flaws.

I 'd given up hope
Losing the faith that love
Could be mine to treasure
And now, nothing's the same
I found myself reborn
On the day I met you
(Sunday 12 July 2026; 00:18)


this is a reply to message		114,126

Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,131) by TheButterflyReturns from United States

I think Mariah is a better artist than Whitney. Mariah's songs are far better than Whitney's songs - most of which were covers or material chosen for her by other people. Whitney was a great vocalist and interpreter but her material often lacked personality. Her studio albums often felt like collections of songs, not artistic statements like Mariah's. The people who are so reactive to Tori's answer clearly still see Mariah as a "white girl trying to sing black", which says more about them than it does about Mariah or Whitney.
(Saturday 11 July 2026; 22:54)


this is a reply to message		114,126

Mariah vs Whitney (114,130) by nancy from Switzerland

I agree MC has more genres in her repertoire than WH. And writes her own songs. Also MC s vocal runs (especially in the beginning of her career) were out of this world. And in my opinion better than WH's. But both are incredibly talented. Whitney was better in acting. Although it was not very difficult part in Bodyguard. In the song when you believe it, Whitney's voice sounded much stronger than Mariah's in some parts. But MC had a difficult time after her divorce from Tommy. She still was at Sony's having to fullfil her contract before her departure to Virgin. Sometimes I had the impression that WH wanted to outdo MC for some reason in this song. Maybe there was a hidden rivalry coming from WH side. MC was always very humble and respectful towards her. MC had and still has respect for the singers that came before her. (Aretha, Patty, Diana Ross, etc.)

(Saturday 11 July 2026; 22:30)

Mariah doc in the works? (114,129) by Loverboy23 from United States

I came across a site called "Mariahcareyarchive" in my search for high quality Mariah pics. The site's homepage asks for non-concert footage and pics from the last 35 years of her career to be submitted. The submission page has fine print that mentions "This Machine Filmworks, LLC". I googled it and it's a production company associated with Sony. They did the recent Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs doc as well as the Martha Stewart one for Netflix. They have tour films for Billie Eilish and Karol G as well but I doubt that would be the nature of something for Mariah right now. Are we expecting a career retrospective a la Kylie and what all would y'all be hoping to see if it is one?

I'd kill for a 32 hour 16 episode series where she spends 2 hours breaking down each album track and tracks she worked on between bodies of work but I'm a huge nerd for the process. Lol. Maybe we'll be blessed with the demo tape and accounts of her late nights drinking champagne and re-recording her house remix vocals.

(Saturday 11 July 2026; 20:51)

Wait, seriously? Nothing for Daydream30? (114,128) by Bobby A from United States

Guess what? MC seemingly teased a Daydream 30th anniversary today on her Instagram page. I knew Sony had to release something special in MC's catalogue this year.

(Saturday 11 July 2026; 20:07)


this is a reply to message		111,901

HQ album artwork (114,127) by Loverboy23 from United States

Does anyone know where I can find high quality album artwork for Mariah? I've uploaded my music to a new laptop and none of the files carried over the artwork. iTunes does populate some correctly but totally misses the mark on others. Google images is a joke now so that's no help. I remember coming across a site that had press releases and pictures of Mariah broken down by year but my searches come up with nothing. Thank you in advance.

(Saturday 11 July 2026; 20:04)

Greatest artist / WH vs MC (114,126) by Lambi from USA

That's debatable. I'd say Whitney and Mariah birthed most of the vocal pop girlies who came after them, with Mariah having a slight edge simply because she covered more styles. Heck, she even got Aretha to sing Touch My Body.

Lecrae also interviewed Tori Kelly and asked her the same question. Tori picked Mariah, and Lecrae could not handle it. He said, "Someone's going to hate you for that. They're hating on you right now. They're saying you have lost your mind."

Tori doubled down, "That's okay. I love them both but I really was raised more with Mariah Carey. I won a big trophy singing Vision of Love when I was 9 years old, so I'm sticking with Mariah." She was obviously just being authentic.

It's interesting though. I watch these street type interviews, and almost every time a black person is asked, "Mariah or Whitney?" the immediate answer is Whitney which sort of makes me feel like there's a bit of colorism at play because it happens so often.

Their general tone towards Mariah is just kind of like, "She's not even competition to Whitney" which makes me wonder, is her music just not played at cookouts? Why are we acting like she isn't formidable vocally? She arguably did more technically demanding things and has a much broader catalog.

Then when you actually hear from the real black vocal queens like Aretha or Patti, they praise the hell out of Mariah. Aretha famously wanted to sing with MC and MC only during Divas Live, and Patti handpicked Mariah to perform in her tribute despite Whitney being available. She was literally in the same building that night.

I talked to a black friend of mine (who sings) about it, and his take was basically, "Mariah has a reputation as a lip-syncer, a phony," and "The average person will feel stupid picking her if we're talking real singing." I was like, "Okay, fair." I didn't really have a rebuttal because it made perfect sense then it just kind of made me sad realizing how tarnished Mariah's credibility really has become.
(Saturday 11 July 2026; 00:59)


this is a reply to message		114,121

The greatest female artist of all time snub (114,125) by Bill from the UK

Yes I agree. Mariah was an astonishingly good singer for the first five or so years of her career, but that was it. She's been a good songwriter for longer, but has stayed to one genre and often one subject matter. Her biggest hits lean heavily on sampled material. Her albums are great, but formulaic and not groundbreaking.

This is why I think I will always say her debut era was the best. Her voice was the fullest, purest, and best it ever sounded. Her live performances were jaw-droppingly good. Her album, so far the only one in her career, was 100% original material. Her compositions with Margulies were all unique, and different in their style, arrangement, production, and sonically too. Her look was natural, original, and effortlessly flawless.

We had a vision of love. And it was all that she turned out to be.
(Friday 10 July 2026; 20:12)


this is a reply to message		114,124

The greatest female artist of all time snub (114,124) by Lee from UK

I agree - there was something about Mariah's voice between 1990 and 1994 which just sounded mature, especially in those songs you mentioned; she sounds like a much older singer - in a good way - than someone in her 20s. I know it has a lot do with her style of singing then compared to now. I have said it here before and it's worth repeating. Early in her career, Mariah's voice was full, her vowel sounds carried depth and power. Her more recent vocals have lacked this depth with her vowels sounding scratchy. Her singing voice is more like her speaking voice now as you can hear her accent in her singing. Back in the day, Mariah's singing voice was worlds apart from her speaking voice. I couldn't believe it when I heard Mariah speaking in an interveiw for the first time; how does this monotone low voice produce such range and clarity.
(Friday 10 July 2026; 16:25)


this is a reply to message		114,123

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