Mariah Carey's Debut Met with Controversy... But It Changed Pop Music Forever

[@the_groove]

Thanks for watching! I wrote this essay because I genuinely believe Mariah's career is probably one of the most impactful and fascinating in the whole history of pop music. It's quite unfortunate that many people only remember her for "All I Want For Christmas is You", which is a great song, but only the tip of the huge iceberg that is her artistic legacy. I hope we can all (re)discover her story and appreciate her greatly valuable contribution to music. Btw, this is the very first essay I ever wrote for this channel but I re-uploaded this improved version! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@rasheedrasheed1974]

RIGHTTT!!! I wont say I hate her popular songs but I feel like people sleep on her hidden gems and I also feel like she always had to prove herself so many times

[@KevynJacksonLettman86]

I was patiently waiting for acknowledgements to be mentioned on your channel. The Generation Zers need to recognize quality artistry in the making and not over computerized studio albums only. After watching your video on Lauryn Hill, my spirit quickly picked you would do another genius in the making which is Mariah Carey aka The Elusivie Chanteuse. I loved your Aaliyah video as well much respect to the Princess of R&B. I pray the next in genius artist you will mention is the legendary Anita Baker to these Generation Zers. Let them know how to infused Soul, Jazz, R&B, etc. Thanks again. GOD Bless

[@voiceofreason2237]

Delusional. This isn't even a huge album outside the United States. This is a copycat of Whitney's first two albums.

[@KevynJacksonLettman86]

@@qbennett7232 Sorry but that is not how the Labels roll. You were obligated to do venues if they saw fit that you were ready as an artist. Mariah Carey was scared to preform in public during that time if you read her semi Autobiography book you would have known that she mustered up the nerve to perform for the live MTV Unplugged venue.

[@KevynJacksonLettman86]

@@qbennett7232 Many artists such like herself has taken time away out of the industry. She has put in over a decade or more into her craft, her business and her time. She deserves it. Nobody said squat when Beyoncé decided to take time to concentrate on her family and herself. She has the right as any human being to do so. It is only human to relax and take in on your success. Plus it is the next generation time to emerge and get attention. The youth rule the world so she knows her place as a legend to give for the up and coming new artist to shine.

[@divatalk9011]

To have such a lyrically sophisticated and vocally intelligent song like VOL is amazing, to have it as your debut single is INSANE

[@alexnewkirk5504]

I love your videos on Mariah too!

[@theshowmustgoon4287]

Song that SHE WROTE in high school !!

[@keniaumana7220]

And faith based 🥰

[@tripfoumi7402]

Not forgetting that her debut has no cover, no duet on it unlike some others and it still slayed the world !

[@daviddaviddaviddaful]

And to have it as the most influential vocal performance of all time is unparalleled !

[@claudiabenigno2796]

Mariah is the reason I'm still alive. Her music kept me alive during my mental breakdown, when I was on the verge of unaliving myself.

[@sanfernvalley619]

You're a sweetheart Claude 💕

[@cecegiles4583]

Same here.

[@strangerthings88]

Same

[@DanteRiccelli1]

I’m so proud of you and the other people she’s saved… along with myself… she is a hero. Love you lamb!

[@Heroliesinyou]

@@DanteRiccelli1 That's why I'm always gonna love her. ❤❤

[@peteradaniel]

The woman is super human. She transformed the industry and managed to rack up 19 billboard no.1s. The solo artist with the most. One less than the Beatles and one more than Elvis Presley.

[@voiceofreason2237]

Well that's thanks to Tommy Payola Mottola. You need to marry the CEO of Sony to get as much number one singles.

[@codywalsh2075]

@@voiceofreason2237 lmao stay pressed. Mariah had #1s before she married him and after she left him, including song of the decade in 2005.

[@philipcohen267]

@@voiceofreason2237 Still way better than 7 consecutive fraudulent hits from the "Father of payola" Clive Davis puppet artist (oops, dull karaoke singer).

[@CeliniacForLife]

@@philipcohen267 What does Whitney have to do with this? Why are you shading her?

[@philipcohen267]

@@CeliniacForLife It's a Whitney stan

[@savajecaylala8784]

A lot of people wanted to count her out and they couldn't . Mariah and Whitney taught me how to sing. I always studied Mariah's voice. Her technique and how she approached a song amazed me. She is very flexible with her genres an her voice. She doesn't use her rnb voice for a jazzy song or her pop voice for a hip hop Collab. She understands music very well and is definitely a pioneer in the industry. She's one of the greatest. You cannot mention musical influences and not mention her. She's the most influential on a lot of these singers. They always cited her, lets not even mention her songwriting because that is only at a level for some people to understand. 19 #1 hits, an outstanding range and technique, the glam, the collaborations, the albums, trends, flexibility, and years later she's still doing what she loves the most. I'm very proud of her.

[@missrusalka6216]

People ask me if I had singing lessons even vocal coaches are surprised at how well I use my voice and I tell them '' yes and my teacher is Mariah''. She taught me a lot.

[@veronica5080]

@@missrusalka6216 right girl!!?? i had my first vocal lesson a week ago and the coach was impressed. I dont even think im overreacting when I say its because of listening to Mariahs songs for a bout five years now. Im even a stronger lyrcist, I wrote my first song after becoming a lamb :)

[@nicolesherman8974]

This album is honestly top 5 in her iconic discography. The blueprint for our favorites like Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera. Alone in Love is such a beautifully written song.

[@gillianomotoso328]

Agreed! It’s the “Migrate” of the album lol

[@DanAmareOfficial]

Alone in Love is incredible. Also I love All In Your Mind, it has a reggae feel. I never hear anyone talk about that song.

[@nicolesherman8974]

@@DanAmareOfficial Alone in Love is one of my favorite songs by Mariah. It’s so beautifully written. Can’t believe it was one of her first songs she wrote. All in your mind is a good song as well.

[@gillianomotoso328]

@@DanAmareOfficial Totally! That song is so fun. She also covers four octaves in it :)

[@lucpraslan]

Alone In Love has been a favourite of mine since the album was released. It's a great song.

[@tdes_]

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS A VIDEO TALKING ABOUT MARIAH CAREY!!! It’s literally my fave singer rn, and I feel like she isn’t acknowledged nowadays (only for her Christmas song, but she has A LOT of incredible albums)

[@divatalk9011]

It's true. Mariah has been denigrated to a perennial novelty act, to be dragged out after Thanksgiving. Her influence and legacy is so much more

[@Wowitzkay]

The disrespect her so much! Queen Mimi is a damn living legend period! 🦋🐑

[@michellerain8221]

i got into my mariah carey obsession like a couple years ago and i still listen to her music everyday and watch videos of her wherever i can find. she's truly a genius, i love seeing new content about her. wish she was more respected

[@livinglife4273]

Tbh there are PLENTY of recently made Mariah Carey videos if you look for them… my home page is flooded with them 🤗

[@auandaily]

her music ages so well like fine wine.

[@qbennett7232]

Fun fact Vision of Love went number 1 on the R&B charts BEFORE the Pop charts🙂

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

@Anne Day Yup, we don’t talk enough about how much whitewashing and erasing is done to black people in the 90s, particular in the music industry despite simultaneously dominating, along with Tommy Mashi!heads racism towards Mariah and the black community. Disgusting racist manipulator. 🤢

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

LET THEM KNOW Bennett!

[@erpmo3326]

@Day y?

[@staywinning3299]

Makes sense

[@aaronmitchell2873]

Mariah is very proud of that fact. ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@beyonceknowles3884]

She changed the music industry and doesn't get enough credit for it

[@quidddaboss1061]

Her and whitney but in different ways

[@rashonnahall418]

One of them yeah!The others would be Prince,Michael, Whitney&Beyoncè.

[@voiceofreason2237]

That's because she is an industry puppet. How did she exactly change the music industry? She couldn't even sing live.

[@iammesmerized]

@@voiceofreason2237 we don't argue with a dumb. 🙂

[@The_Truth-]

That’s a good question how did Mariah change the music game? Let’s not tell the lie of pop And hip hop collabs.

[@Angel-fu7dm]

Mariah is the epitome of creative genius and vocal brilliance! She is a legend.

[@mijalakis3]

Mariah Carey is one of a kind. She seamlessly travels airwaves with her soaring vocal skills, her powerful pen game and her assertive musical choices, 28 years into her career, a career with 9 3x Platinum albums, 19 #1 songs, 18 written by her and 15 produced by her, the only artist in history to be awarded 2 songs of the decade and has accumulated 82 weeks atop the #1 position of the Billboard Hot 100. She is not afraid to experiment with her sound (notice I don't say "with sounds" I say "with her sound") she is true to her musical identity and confidently keeps recreating herself and evolving with music even ahead of it. A real trendsetter, the pioneer of the predominant sound today.

[@MrDvinci8]

*31 years into her career

[@auandaily]

*one of a kind *18 written *with her sound

[@mijalakis3]

@@MrDvinci8 I wrote "28 years" because her last studio album was in 2018 and it was her most critically acclaimed album up to this date which is nuts because many say she is over, completely past her prime yet she garners better reviews than mainstream singers of today atop the charts

[@mijalakis3]

@@auandaily Thank you, I guess is hard for a phone to learn 3 different languages I write in, juggle the changes between conversations and it being setup for a specific one.

[@amiehampton7070]

@@MrDvinci8 Make it 32 years

[@Dufrense1978]

The most successful and yet the most underated artist in history.

[@RustyDarkStone]

Underrated how so ? She has sold hundreds of millions of albums

[@Sttephy30]

Y'all just be saying anything.

[@mat_o8975]

Underrated.... What?!!! What are you on!!! She is one of the most succesful and recignized artist.... LOL

[@jamirherrington470]

Mariah doesn’t get half the reocgnition she deserves as a vocalist, songwriter and producer.. this woman has 5 fucking Grammys to her name? still not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.. had to be nominated TWICE in the Songwriters Hall of Fame while Jay Z gets inducted his first year eligible. I could go on.. she deserves the respect and still hasnt got it. Only way I can think of is because she was the woman behind the pen and the production and that makes men (who are the powerful forces in music) intimidated. Mariah outwrote and outsung them.

[@Sttephy30]

@@jamirherrington470 True. But she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

[@livai1915]

People don't want to recognize the impact of mariah s music. she s not just another ballad singer from the 90 s her albums especially : debut, butterfly and emancipation of mimi are soo legendary and their impact can still be heard till this day .

[@BBushell]

A real R&B classic from this record is “Sent from up above”

[@Aja_Says]

Yes!!!!

[@EliteWokiesNonEliteRichHuhlolz]

The kids today have *no idea* what real singing is. And the ✌🏾artists✌🏾 today could *never* ... This woman's music is Straight *TIMELESS* 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@amiehampton7070]

EXACTLY!

[@takemyhand1988]

Vision of love really changed the pop scene. I don't think it gets it's credit. Yeah the vocals brought melissma and "oversinging" to mainstream. But that song's structure is actually very weird for a hit ballad of 1990. It's chorus is not a belt, the chorus is actually very simple styling. Even in the climax, she doesn't belt the chorus. She belts the first verse in the climax along with new lines. The second verse is the typical structure of a pre-chorus of that time. She actually changed what a ballad is when you consider that all the hit ballads before it was the same chest voice in verses and belt the chorus and sustain the chorus in climax.

[@gillianomotoso328]

Not to mention the chord progression, which tiptoes between major and minor so effortlessly. So true though about the song structure. It’s so inspired and inspiratory of the times, yet singularly her.

[@takemyhand1988]

@@gillianomotoso328 it doesn't even feel like there's a key change. Is there? I don't know for sure.

[@divatalk9011]

It's a very different kind of song. Imagine being that creative on your first single?!

[@gillianomotoso328]

@@takemyhand1988 It switches between C major and C minor, and tonicizes A minor and Eb major aptly enough. The chord C minor never occurs though.

[@takemyhand1988]

@@gillianomotoso328 when does it switch?

[@DJShawn1980NYC]

Mariah and Whitney voices are astonishing and both extremely talented unlike these girls today.

[@Kevin51611]

Black, white I don't care. All I know is this girl can sing!!

[@mindstone6883]

AND can write and produce. That's what makes her lethal and the best female artist (not just vocalist, but artist) of all time for me.

[@erpmo3326]

@@mindstone6883 and beautiful but she can't dance. God forbid if she can dance it be the end of everyone. Even men.

[@tripfoumi7402]

Mariah has been labeled the most influential vocal styllist of the past 40 years by professional reviewers and analysts , and Vision of Love is dubbed most influential vocal performance of all time by tem, based on its unpredeceted impact on fellow music artists and on fans .Mariah's musical impact in the is unparalleled .Not even talking about the unstoppable impact of her perennial Christmas hit ! No other artist can relate !

[@thabigcohuna]

Lies, that would be Whitney who influenced them all including Mariah

[@tripfoumi7402]

@@thabigcohuna Whitney diesn't have half of Mariah's influence, sit.down ! And she has never influenced Mariah ! Mariah's influences were her mother Patricia, Aretha, Gladys, Patti, Stevie Wonder and other artists, never Whitney.

[@Patrick-gq1mv]

@@thabigcohuna Whitney do not influence Mariah in anyway especially writing, producing, and directing OWN music. If there are people Mariah has been thanking for inspiring her, that would be Aretha, Patti, Steve, and other ballad, rnb, and urban artists. By the time Whitney made a debut, Mariah had already written her OWN songs.

[@thabigcohuna]

@@Patrick-gq1mv where did I ever say Whitney influenced mariahs writing? She said out of her own mouth Whitney influenced the way she and many singers performed. But I guess you all know more than Mariah herself

[@Patrick-gq1mv]

@@thabigcohuna I only emphasizes that Whitney did not influence her in any means. Read between the lines, I guess reading comprehension ain't common these days. Sad.

[@musicluver94293]

Mariah is the GREATEST FEMALE VOCALIST EVER!!👑💯

[@tripfoumi1126]

Period !

[@demetriusreynolds8178]

That’s your opinion and I respect that but Whitney was better

[@tripfoumi1126]

@@demetriusreynolds8178 It's not an opinion but a fact, cause verifiable in stats and facts

[@demetriusreynolds8178]

@@tripfoumi1126 No it’s an opinion as everyone doesn’t think Mariah is the best ever and there is no fact to prove she is. And other than her number 1 hits, her and Whitney have sold the same amount of albums. Only difference is Mariah has made more albums which means technically Whitney sales are better and she’s also has won the most awards of any female artists. But none of that means sh*t! I like Mariah but Whitney sings with an effortless power. The power Mariah generates Whitney does with ease and Whitney has more control over her voice. Her ability to switch from head to chest voice while doing runs, riffs and belts while in a perfect pitch is matched by no one. That’s why she is called the voice. And Whitney opened the door that Mariah was able to walk through. I like them both but I think Whitney is better

[@tripfoumi1126]

@@demetriusreynolds8178 Mariah is the best and facts prove so, while Whitney is not even close, she would not even top 5.And Mariah has sold much more albums than Whitney.Whitney has sold 130 million albums while Mariah has sold 180+ million.And they have both released approximately the same amount of material, Mariah's discography consisting of 27 commercially released albums while Whitney's consists on 28 .If counting only studio albums , then Whitney has sold only 73 million while Mariah has sold 130 million. Withou thr combined sales from studio albums, soundtracks, compilations, remix albums and live albums, Whitney would be surpassed by Barbra Streisand and Britney Spears. Mariah's sales are better than Whitney ,as she already ooutsold Whitney's 1985-2021 album discography with only her 90's album discography ! Besides, she achieved all her sales without the help of blockbuster movies theme song neither soundtracks, all her massive sales are due to her sole selling power.And Whitney opened no door for Mariah , neither paved the way for her.All the doors were already opened by the previous female artists for both Whitney then Mariah who came only 5 years later. Mariah also was a white-passing mixed singer, then she didn't face some barriers that black female acts could have to get through .

[@keeganthorpe]

“Vanishing” is my favorite too!

[@alvinmedina7121]

vanishing is still my fav song from Mariah

[@auandaily]

somebody doing the wrong note

[@alvinmedina7121]

I will never forget rolling down that window screaming . I was also really surprised that the shy quiet pretty girl sang like that . it was a moment I never forget .have you ever listened to her rehearsal snl . she goes from belt to whistle , its unreal . first appearance

[@nancypiccirillo8900]

Maria's voice was unstoppable. Her talent was unstoppable. She was a success the moment she opened her mouth to song. No one could have stopped her.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

That soul train awards clip will always be hilarious as ever, I just love Mariah got a huge round of applause and standing ovation for winning while vanilla’s racist culture vulture shelf got booed 😂😂😂😂

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

We knew Mariah was black, and wasn’t one of the disrespecting white passing folks. Purrr!💁🏿 Vanilla is so disgusting and racist! Did you know he had the nerve to still cultural appropriate after that?!

[@mezmerized4lifejay654]

The queen, the hits, the icon, the ensembles, the voice that is Mariah Carey 🦋

[@Mikegrown12]

Called me boo...

[@ares6953]

You would have to be blind and deaf not to reckognise her immense talent from the start ! She oozed star quality from the very first live she ever did !! You either have it or you don´t and Mariah ´s got lots of it !! so much talent in one person it´s insane not to mention how beautiful she was and still is !!!

[@maurice1263]

Prisoner is a hidden gem on this album

[@niltash4ever]

Awesome essay. Mariah is a trailblazer. The greatest singer of all time in my opinion

[@bernig]

I’m so here fo this. This is fantastic video essay craft right here. Would love to hear your take on Mariah’s visionary fusion of pop and hip hop (she’s not credited enough in that space but the pop artist + rapper feature is her formula) and her comeback (what does it mean for someone like her to come back?). Great channel, subscribed!

[@irafa2]

Thanks!! This is fine quality material and speaks the truth!! Mariah got to the industry as a Tsunami, and we are still seeing the waves around (aka Ari et al.). I discovered Mariah's career now during the COVID pandemic, believe it or not. I saw a video here on KZbin that shower her singing the live version of Vision of Love on SNL 1990,...I was super impressed, shocked, no idea of her talent, that run and melismas!!! We 90s babies all know about the "Mariah Carey" the Diva, the 2000s hits that was all over the radio when we where growing up, like We Belong Together, Touch My Body, etc. But we never saw her at the beginning, with how such powerful & controversial entrance she had with just her voice. It truly was something and more people should know how Mariah has became the Diva that she is now. Is not been easy and she has been proving it for decades now. But there is something that Mimi has never had the need to prove, and is her great voice. And for us now living in an age in which mediocrity is applauded and excellency is not acknowledge, Mimi is a BIG example to follow. ;)

[@shawngross5420]

Great essay! It is interesting to me that people did not know Mariah was biracial. As a biracial woman of similar age, her African American & European heritage was obvious to me. I have always loved R&B and Pop, so Mariah was a natural favorite, who hit the spot just right. Didn’t know others perceived her style as so controversial. Her polished pop production + ornamention seemed "normal" to me. Beautiful voice of a songbird! Growing up, I also got that question: What are you? It does not offend me. People are curious. I use the opportunity to educate them.

[@cecegiles4583]

Honey all these people are in denial every interview Mariah has she always brings her her being biracial

[@erpmo3326]

Educating many as much as her is exhausting tho

[@dedee7288]

Heck, i knew and had feeling then that Mariah was likely bi-racial even in the early begining with her first video single from debut album lol!!!

[@3boodae749]

I see this "confusion" over her racial identity during her Vision of Love days stated in other KZbin videos, but its not true. I was really young then, but everyone I knew at that time assumed she was just very light-skinned or at least biracial. No one I knew thought she was actually white, (except some white kids in my school, and they were laughed at). Her voice, phenotype and even the yellow tint to her skin all say black, or partly black.

[@dedee7288]

@@3boodae749 lol, when i saw Mariah Vision of Love first time 30 yrs ago...i knew she wasnt white. I was like, she either black or biracial with a black mom or dad even back then. To later find out her dad was a black man!!

[@oenrob98000]

We don't honor Mariah enough DAHLINGS!

[@erpmo3326]

Touché. She's still underrated af

[@amiehampton7070]

Songwriters Hall of Fame is coming up this month now she is gonna be inducted. She is deserves more honored.. She is BIllboard's Artist of the Decade, Artist of the Millenium and a Icon Award. Hope BET Awards will listen to us and honor Lifetime Achievement Award.

[@noahflare6825]

I love how well-researched and well-presented this video is!

[@hellobecky84]

This was so lovely and deeply researched! It's rare that I find video essays on YT where the creator has such strong a musical vocabulary! (My degree is in music.) Mariah's Vanishing is also my favorite; her debut album was so much a part of my coming of age. Thank you for this!

[@curtismichael4703]

I would say that Clive Davis and Arista records created a template with Whitney that Tommy Motola clearly took advantage of,navigating Mariah's early career.

[@young.nugget]

Her song "can't take that away " still makes me cry bc I feel it. A lot of her songs mean so much to me.

[@k_drive]

what an incredible video!! i didn't even realise the impact she had on pop music and I thought I was a fan lol i do remember her saying she had remixes of her songs with rappers in a time when that was looked down on. just to think now every pop singer has a rap feature on their song if they need it to chart.

[@hyomalitsukikagye5249]

In China,they call Mariah, Whitney & Celine three SUPER divas among American female singers.(sometimes Madonna is included as well)From our Chinese fans’ prospective,Mariah Carey has the widest vocal ranges and best controling of her voice and singing techniques,while Whitney has the powerful voice .Mariah is called the colorful butterfly of America and Whitney “voice of America”.They two are usually mentioned together to be the leading fingers and reference to other singers. In China we would like to say Mariah>>Whitney>Celine>Beyonce=Madonna.Of course it is the ranking of vocalists,based on vocal talent ,not to measure their sucess..

[@danielomarcello1045]

For many people, Whitney is the most legendary because of some of her signature songs and her early death. In time, however, I think people will realise that Mariah was the most talented. Her Christmas hit gives new generations a chance to get acquainted with her music each passing year

[@hyomalitsukikagye5249]

@@danielomarcello1045 Agree.Because Mariah gets a bad reputation these days in America and some parts of Europe, due to her shady persona ,and many people think her voice is shot,while it isn't.I think it all comes down to preference. Eventho I have to say that out of them three ( including Céline), Mariah has the musically best covers and understands music better. Whitney had a great voice, thick sound and powerful, however these types of voices don't suit all kind of genres, and they can't survive on eras where powerful vocals aren't everything. I find her covers really below her standard and this maybe due to her lack of involvement on her material . Celine is very skilled and has very good runs ( surprisingly) but I feel like her tone is just a matter of personal taste, besides, her style is monotonous. It’s not my taste but that won’t take away that she is a great singer and performer. Mariah IMO is the queen in the vocal trinity session. People often confuse her voice with weak while actually her voice might be the strongest. All those acrobats and switching notes she does is difficult to do and her tone is soo beautiful. People who say she isn’t as strong as whitney probably never heard her best songs like forever and babydoll . IMO Mariah is the best out of them, and not to mention her ability to create beautiful harmonies and write her songs. Mariah is the best

[@danielomarcello1045]

@@hyomalitsukikagye5249 Fair enough. While I think it all comes down to preference, it's very obvious that Mariah was capable of more things with her voice and could provide more complex vocal runs, acrobatic vocals and harmonies . Eventho I have to say that out of them three Mariah has the best covers and understands music better. Whitney had a great voice, thick sound and powerful, however these types of voices don't suit all kind of genres. Mariah has always been very versatile, she could sound great on Christmas songs as well as on hip hop collabs.I find Whitney's covers really below her standard and this maybe due to her lack of musical skills and involvementin her material. Celine is very skilled and has good runs ( surprisingly) but I feel like her tone is just a matter of personal taste. It’s not my taste but that won’t take away that she is a great singer and performer. Mariah IMO is the queen in the vocal trinity session. People often confuse her voice with weak while actually her voice might be the strongest. All those acrobats and switching notes she does is difficult to do and her tone is soo beautiful. People who say she isn’t as strong as whitney probably never heard her best songs like forever and babydoll . IMO Mariah is the best out of them, and not to mention her ability to create beautiful harmonies and write her songs..

[@7MonarC]

Gosh what a career. Im nearing 40 and my autobiography would be summed up with "i eat at mcdonalds a lot"

[@nanouklezaf4273]

Literally the intro of Vision Of Love must have shaken the industry back then lol

[@TehKaiser]

It sounded like it came straight out of a horror movie. Might be her way of expressing her familial lack of love, if you dwell on the title.

[@c.t.4837]

Glad I’m old enough to remember all of this . I remember being on the playground with other kids and we had her TAPE !..lol… and we would be like “ I hear she’s half white and half Arabic” haha…no one knew 😂 good ol days when there wasn’t internet and celebrities had a mystique about them

[@GabyPivet]

The song Hero makes me cry, in a good way every time I hear it. Her voice is amazing and her lyrics have so much depth. She is a true enigma. I cannot believe she is underrated, because she was always huge in my world. But I guess many younger people wouldn’t know how brilliant she actually is.

[@mak2488]

I’m so glad that in 2022, we don’t have talk show hosts asking their guests “What are you?” I truly discovered Mariah around 97-99, and I don’t have single recollection about wondering what her race was or needing to know for any reason. I was around 10 years old, and I was so taken with Mariah’s voice and how fun and beautiful her songs were. I was just vibing and having a good time. Mariah is as authentic as they come.

[@imetaboyiusedtoknow8308]

Doja Cat and Dua Lipa are asked this question regularly. Any ambiguous person in the public eye or not gets the question. This IS America..

[@PureSparkles22]

I love that she's multiracial

[@chrisanthemum7]

This is so amazing and such a necessary conversation. She was a pioneer. And like most pioneers, most people take for granted the world they now get to live in because of her

[@seerpou]

mariah carey: the greatest vocalist and songwriter of all time.

[@arick.arzadon]

i call her the greatest singer songwriter

[@melsmithmel]

Jimmy Jam recently said in an interview that Mariah is the best at changing her voice extremely well to black and white audiences..She does it on purpose. She looked white and was gorgeous and yet had that soulful r and b voice..it's a winning combination to appeal to as many people as possible and Tommy Motolla exploited it well. Glad Mariah left him and started finding her own identity and used black hip hop artists in her music. She was a trailblazer. To this day the black community still don't accept her especially the gatekeepers who think being biracial is not black enough. Music should be for everyone and we shouldn't put people in boxes.

[@despayre3914]

During that time I had shifted from hiphop/electro/dance to hardrock/metal, but that debut was too good to ignore.....bought her first 4 or 5 albums back then. Lately I have been buying later albums too. Always liked her, while I have nothing with Houston, Beyonce or Aguilera.

[@ah_libra]

The way they booed Vanilla Ice, OMG! My faith in humanity has been restored ever so 😊 😇 Also, my favorites from her debut is probably "Alone in Love" and "Sent From Up Above."

[@joannwilson9097]

Sent from up above is one of my favorite songs

[@brennatoney1816]

My fave from way back is "I don't wanna cry" but recently "All in your mind" keeps me going back to that album 💕🦋

[@muvasaturn]

Thank you for this! I'm a 90s baby and MC fan. I don't call myself a fan for a lot of artists even though I love them, but I'll always call myself a fan for her because I always understood the impact she made in the industry

[@atolm1]

What a wonderful and lovingly crafted expose of the artistic and vocal titan that is Mariah Carey. It was a joy to watch and listen to, bravo! **Also I love your voice end elocution.

[@vinceybarra3130]

This is sooooo well put together. A little music history, factual information of music and Mariah’s early career. Thank you for your exceptional work!

[@the_groove]

Thank you very much!

[@TheArtofBeingReacts]

When you talkabout Mariah, that's when I sub! New Subscriber here! One of the greatest songwriters of all time! Cant wait to watch this!!

[@theshowmustgoon4287]

Vision of love and Fantasy remix changed the music forever

[@yuh5402]

OMG SUCH A GREAT VIDEO AND A ANALYSIS. MORE OF MARIAH CAREY PLSSS

[@absisfabs873]

I love your channel because you talk about female artists which is rarely talk about by most youtube channels. In this industry where male artists are almost all glorified everyday, this is revolutionary to talk about female artists. Thank you.

[@yallgonlearntoday]

Mariah Carey is black. Like she said about the one drop rule in America. Mariah Carey has ALWAYS. Talked about her dad being Black. So I’m not sure about this using or not using Black culture stuff. If anything this should highlight what masses do when THEY see lighter skin.

[@ab-zg8pt]

Americans: 'so Mariah has a black father, and a white mother. So she's black!' The rest of the world: 'does America know what bi-racial means?' 💀💀💀💀

[@yallgonlearntoday]

@@ab-zg8pt Girl bye…does the rest of the world know it comes from Africa and that it should be helping it and not sucking it dry for its resources? Now THAT is how you 💀 💀💀💀💀💀

[@TheeKookyWildflower]

@@ab-zg8pt The rest of the world does the same thing. They just hide the contempt more than America, which is worst and more sinister.

[@Juandomngz]

Mariah is a BIRACIAL woman, not black or white

[@tripfoumi9887]

Mariah is not black , she's mixed.Aretha" Whitney, Beyoncé, Brandy are black, not Mariah.

[@theladyprincess]

mariah’s debut is in my top 5 favourite albums of hers, that one and emotions imo are both written soo well. alone in love is my fave from debut, and she was around 15 when she first wrote it!

[@kittjosef]

thank u for creating this

[@MrWillcapone]

Just chiming in to say "Anytime You Need a Friend" is criminally underrated. Thank you.

[@alvinmedina7121]

it was a legendary performance

[@georger6707]

Honestly.... Here is a person who has one of the most impressive voices known to man kind, and she gets stupid comments like "what are you", "what race are you", "are you white", and "you're not black enough". Who the fark cares? The amount of times Americans (and I dare say people from other countries) like to label people is truly amazing. So farkin disrespectful and hurtful. How about less labelling, less being an arsehole, and more being a humble, respectful human!!

[@carloswagner6895]

Great video! People should be grateful for previous legends like Mariah for bridging the gap in music. Music was segregated back then, but thanks to artist like Mariah, the gaps are able to be removed or at least became thinner. That's why we see more variations of music after many of her albums. The difference is nowadays music is homogenized that other genres barely get much opportunity.

[@jp6565]

Loved this video as well...great job you did amazing research and presented Everything so well

[@BlendedBarbieDoll]

VOL is and will always be one of my favorite songs This generation just has no clue what this 20 year old at the time was throwing down smh

[@prettyblackgirl1253]

This is my favourite album by Mariah. Nothing tops it for me

[@hausofmashups]

she has way too many good albums than debut

[@hotchocolate6320]

Butterfly emancipation of Mimi ring a bell?

[@graysang5386]

i'm sorry. debut is an iconic album but it doesn't have the most mariah carey-ness to it. i'd pick any of her album over this one

[@hotchocolate6320]

@@graysang5386 I always thought emotions was better than her debut she didn't hold anything back on emotions she just let go

[@hotchocolate6320]

@Angel Johnson I know I have all of her albums

[@kinichi20]

Oct 22 1990 is my exact birthday, omg that's why im a lamb.. 😳😳😳

[@randomname3715]

I bought her first album the day it came out. Along with Earth Wind and Fire..."after the love is gone". Man I got good taste.

[@mbasandudane6334]

One of the greatest singers of all time 🔥🔥she should be inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame already

[@graysang5386]

18:28 my personal favorite vision of love performance!!

[@Kenyon712]

Mariah is a soul singer. They called her pop because they thought she was white. Her first album is more soulful than Whitney’s first album.

[@honestperson3042]

Mariah has any genre in her discography

[@joycezale5433]

Throughout my childhood ,I really did think she was white... it was until I saw her in a film portraying a slave, my brother told me she's partially black, and I was surprised. As a black woman, I'm ashamed of myself. But I also think her record label intentionally made her race ambiguous to attract the non-black audience. In the end, I always have, and Always will acknowledge maraiah for her voice and talent, not her race

[@Sttephy30]

Don't be ashamed of yourself. You just didn't know.

[@malou1563]

Mariah probably would have struggled less if she kept her image from her debut. But Tommy forced her to appear white 91-96.

[@MariahWyattBraxton]

I don’t know you, but I love you for this video!!

[@SixthDivison]

I think its only people know and grew up watching/listening to Mariah since she debuted can understand how great her work is . To me, her new stuff doesn't compare to her earlier work but another great thing is she doesn't have to try to be relevant, she has made her stamp in music and will always be legendary.

[@Anastasia25]

I love this video! It is so well done and researched

[@lisajohnson521]

This is such a good channel LOLOL Thanks for all the research you put into it.

[@lvgeeco7121]

Man Mariahs beauty and curls are it.

[@johndoe-fq7ez]

There's a video essay for everything, and I love it.

[@Fan-vv8wb]

The greatest vocalist of all time

[@thesunshine2693]

Period !

[@tripfoumi1126]

Hands down !

[@celine4evauk]

VOL and her first album is still my favourite MC song and album!!

[@mikeycroker3480]

This was amazing.

[@stevensonjc21]

You are everything! Just a star in these KZbin streets! Love that I found a channel that takes deep dives and looks into my favorite artist !!!!

[@firouz4296]

There was no controversy! I was there! We were all speechless because of her voice! Don't get me wrong there was Whitney, Taylor and other big voices. But she changed what we thought was possible. No controversy. None. No. Nichts. Nada! Tommy Mottola made sure there was none!

[@AmziAsher]

V.O.L. GMA yasssssssss!!!!!! Werk. MC we love u. Great vid! Thx for your awesome content!!!!!!

[@erpmo3326]

I hate that people thinks she's privileged for being mixed. However, honestly, she's more discriminated by both black and white people cause she's not pure. Istg.

[@alexcooper4974]

True. But her racial ambiguity gives her certain advantages as well. That’s what folks are saying.

[@hyomalitsukikagye5249]

Indeed.I feel that even white people credit Whitney Houston more than her because she's not purely black.

[@erpmo3326]

@@hyomalitsukikagye5249 this

[@priestbyname]

I appreciate the nuance you brought to this video essay. Exceptional work.

[@imeraankeshav9527]

QUEEN! QUEEN! QUEEN!

[@natashaarnfield2788]

I love vanishing too....I would hate to think what music would be like without Mariah... what would I listen too? 😅

[@noemistephanie93]

This is my first time watching your channel and wow it’s great! I’m definitely subscribing👍

[@akapela2343]

The first album is still her best album which is supported by some best producers & great songwriters as well. Tommy motolla was really smart to bring them to produce her first album. He took the same team who had successful made whitney album 1987 such as Narada Michael Walden, Dan Shea, Ric Wake, Walter Affanasieff & Rhett Lawrence. Even Walter Affanasieff still keep on co-working with her next albums in the 90s

[@briannab4037]

It's not her best album.

[@akapela2343]

@@briannab4037 your favorite is not the best okay. Mine neither. That what's the different of the best & best selling (popularity / favorite). We better ask the musicians, singwriters & producers for that thing

[@briannab4037]

@@akapela2343 The musicians, songwriters, and producers don't think it's her best either.

[@akapela2343]

@@briannab4037ok give their names. Because the fact is it's nominated for so many awards for best album. including 6 nominees for grammy awards 1990. Only that 1st album, emotions, daydream & rmancipation of Mimi are nominated for album of the year

[@briannab4037]

@@akapela2343 What are you talking about? Literally no critic calls this her best album. And like you said, multiple other records of hers were nominated for Album of Year at the Grammys - her debut was never seen as a frontrunner for this award.

[@bouncyshak]

That reaction to Vanilla Ice was everything!! I wish we'd had the same energy for Justin Timberlake.

[@tripfoumi6641]

Mariah is the female act having the most acclaimed songs out of her contemporaries. Mariah has 16, Madonna has 15, Céline has 4, Whitney has 3 ! Lol *Whitney's critically acclaimed songs* : -Saving All My Love For You -The Star Spangled Banner -I Will Always Love You *Celine's critically acclaimed songs* : - The Power Of Love -It's All Coming Back To Me Now -Taking Chances -Loved Me Back To Life *Madonna's critically acclaimed songs* : -Holiday - Into the Groove - Live To Tell, Papa - Don't Preach - Like A Prayer -Vogue -Justify My Love -Deeper and Deeper - Take A Bow -Frozen -Ray of Light -What it feels Like For A Girl -Hung Up -Give It To Me -Ghosttown *Critically acclaimed Mariah's songs* : -Vision Of Love -Love Takes Time -I'll Be There -All I Want For Christmas -Fantasy -One Sweet Day -Always Be My Baby -Underneath The Stars -Honey -My All -Breakdown -The Roof -Can't Take That Away From Me -Fly Like A Bird -Obssessed -The Art Of Letting Go

[@blackbeauty5717]

this is pure and honest documentary. thank you

[@TarusTolbert]

forever my queen

[@oliviar0x]

Vanishing is 100% the best song on Mariah’s debut and one of her best songs period!

[@maxmustardman298]

and probably couldnt have landed a better producer than Walter, he made fantastic records at the time

[@MayaCreations95]

Mariah inspired me to embrace my mix growing up. I’m mix myself and seeing her on tv and saying she’s also half black made me feel I can relate and be myself, tho it’s still hard that most people don’t know how to categorize me, even at work..

[@mirasorvino1733]

Love you Mimi ❤️

[@kendavid891]

Since day one I have followed Mariah Carey 💖 and still do,I have to we have the same birthday aka anniversary 3/27!!!💝

[@alvinmedina7121]

Mariah demo tape had a huge part of of her debut album , they did not make many changes . they may. say they did . I have the demo . Mariah n ben deceive first album credit mostly . n yes Brenda made that connect happen

[@kingjuicy3023]

Wait you have the demo? Like the actual demo? The one with ‘hypnotized’? Please release it if you can😩

[@nickgreatpwrful5754]

This isn't true according to Mariah... She often said she preferred her demo versions as the album versions felt "over produced" to her. I believe this was mentioned when she released The Rarities, because she said "Here You Come Around Again" sounded better to her in its demo version. So, they definitely changed the songs, production wise, if that's what you mean.

[@alvinmedina7121]

hi. yes do have demo . I will never release it . it is amazing . Mariah talent is unbelievable . I'm not nor have I ever been friends with her . many moons ago I meet Brenda in na club called devils nest in the bronx . she was talented and determined . wow would ride the train from bronx , a group of us . we would sing n dance , it was cool!!! few years later Brenda had a hit I still believe . that's when I saw Mariah , said hello . brenda told me she was an awesome singer . she always was trying to help her . brenda was working on next album . check it out BY Heart . there is a song called what if . awesome n others. I demo was in my friends care let me borrow it. he had Mariahs as well . he played it I screamed when vanishing played , I rolled down window n screamed , still my fav song . he said take it n thats how I came to have it. fun. story Mariah sang at Brendas baby shower . god bless there child . she said n I quote I have a record coming out in two weeks I hope you like it. she was shy , sweet n so pretty . I congratulated her . three weeks later I heard visio9n of love on the radio . n the rest is history as they say

[@alvinmedina7121]

@@nickgreatpwrful5754 Mariah had hits on demo except love takes time . it's basically the same . some production yes . Mariah n ben deserve that win , its still my fav record from her . vanishing favorite song , it was also on demo. done same way . Tommy put money behind project that must be said , he saw what she could be . her talent meet pure power it made her a superstar . she also paid a price .