With her unique talent and signature vocal abilities, Mariah Carey commanded the world’s attention when she made her musical debut in the early nineties. In less than a decade, Mariah Carey emerged as one of the most popular and widely acclaimed talents in music. As a singer and songwriter, Carey has been recognized with the most prestigious accolades in the industry including two Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, Billboard’s “Artist of the Decade” Award and the World Music Award for “World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium” to name a few. As the best-selling female performer of all time, Mariah Carey has continuously raised the bar and set the standard of excellence within the music industry worldwide.
After more than a decade of hits that include the staggering success of 15 Number 1 singles, Carey released her most revealing album to date, The Emancipation of Mimi, in April 2005. Entirely written and co-produced by the gifted Carey, her tenth studio album is an intimate portrayal of both the challenges and successes that she experienced during her rise to unparalleled fame. Carey explains the inspiration behind her new album, “With this album, I am embracing my independence and celebrating the person that I have become. Over the years, I have evolved into a better person and an even better artist. For the first time in my life, I am proud and unafraid to be who I really am, and that’s what the music of this album and its title reflect. By naming my album The Emancipation of Mimi and referencing ‘Mimi’ a nickname only used by those closest to me, I am inviting my fans into my life.”
A brilliant artist who has co-written every song on each of her albums since 1990, Mariah Carey has consistently shown her willingness to express herself both as a remarkable vocalist and an acclaimed songwriter. The Emancipation of Mimi offers more than a glimpse into Mariah’s world featuring tunes like the heartfelt “Circles” and “Fly Like a Bird,” with their positive messages of affirmation and hope. While being honest and vulnerable in expressing her emotions through songs like “I Wish You Knew” and “Joyride,” Mariah leaves no doubt that she is a woman who speaks her mind. The infectious, edgy “It’s Like That,” co-produced by Jermaine Dupri is the album’s first hit single and a definitive statement of where Mariah stands at this point in her life, and is her fastest climbing single in five years.
Q: The great artist Mariah Carrey, why did you call your new album “The Emancipation of Mimi”?
Mimi is my nick name between my close friends and my family, too. I called my new album “The Emancipation of Mimi” to remove any red lines between me and my fans and to get closer to them, and at the same time it’s a way to get them to know me better.
Q: What chains you think you are twisting in this album?
At the beginning of my career, which I started when I was very young, everybody expected a lot from me, and they were directing me so much, that’s why I used to do what they say to reach to their expectations, even if I didn’t like it so much, and that was reflected on me choosing the words and the compositions. But now I think that I have good experience and I can sing what expresses me in a way my fans would like.
Q: How long did it take to make this album?
I started working on this album a year and a half ago, at the beginning I felt like it’s not going be more than 10 songs, but by the time I kept writing a lot of songs and with every song I write I feel like it’s going be the last. And that’s why till the end I couldn’t decide which one is going be the video.
Q: How would you describe your new album?
I have a great variety in this album, there are dance songs, songs with a fast rhythm, romantic and tragic songs, basically songs that go with all tastes. That’s why I consider it Mimi in all her manners.
Q: You co-operated in this album with big artists, how did you get this idea?
Yes, I dealt with big producers in this album and big singers, too. Like “Nelly”, “Snoop Dog”, “Kanye West” and “Twista”. This idea was just a coincidence as they were at the next door studio to the one I was recording in, and we used to sing together in the breaks, then we found that it might be an attractive idea if we co-operated together and I think my fans will like it so much.
Q: Tell me how was it like to feature an artist like “Nelly”?
“Nelly” is a very creative artist at his work, and he always has new ideas, that’s why I think I learned a lot from him in the song “To the Floor”.
Q: If there are any varieties in this album, what would you say about it?The variety in this album is what made me enjoy working in it so much, I shared in writing and composing most of its songs myself, which made it very close to my heart, and I think this album is a good return for me after the small success of my last two albums.
Q: Why did you choose the song “It’s Like That” to be the first single, and to be shot as a video?
It is a mix between Pop and R&B, a very popular kind of music. Another reason is that this song is about a girl who forgets all about her bad situations in life and celebrates to life with her friends, which reflects me celebrating the release of my new album. In this song the artist “Jermaine Dupri” appears who co-wrote the lyrics with me.
Q: The second single “We Belong Together” had a bigger success than the first single and it was the top for four weeks and still is. What’s the reason from your point of view? And do you have any ideas for shooting it?
This song was a surprise for me & “Dupri” as it was the last song we wrote, but I was expecting its success for its simplicity as a romantic song which my fans are used to hear from me. Romance is a general manner for all people aside from their ages and nationalities. Regarding clip, I didn’t get the complete idea from my director, but I know that the wedding dress will be the hero of this song.
Q: Do you consider this album as a turning point in your career?
Of course I consider it one of my most important albums to my career and myself. First of all it expresses so much about myself. The success of the album, made me regain my self-confidence, and I’m thankful to all the people behind my success after God, because I believe that every successful artist should have a smart team to work on his or her success.
Q: What do you think about singing live in front of all your fans from different countries of the world?
Singing live is a great experience to every singer as you can see, feel and measure the audience’s reactions on the spot, and realize what moves their feelings. It’s a true sign for success, since music is an international language that crosses geographical borders easily.
Q: Have you ever experienced singing live in the Middle East countries?
Actually, I gave a concert in Lebanon in February 2004, and I enjoyed it so much, and I hope to repeat this again in other countries, especially in beautiful Egypt.
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