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MARIAH Carey, now the best-selling female artist of the 1990s, was born and raised in Long Island, New York by her mother Patricia. Mariah's vocal talents first emerged at age four. These talents were quickly recognized by Patricia, a former New York City opera singer. During her High School years, Mariah preferred to be writing her songs rather than paying attention in class. Her first big-break came after graduation, when she gained the position of back-up singer for Brenda K. Starr. This big-break would lead to many other opportunities in the future, including meeting Sony Music boss and future husband Tommy Mottola. In 1988, Brenda took Mariah to a party where she could meet many record executives. Mariah handed out her demo tape to various people but no one made any commitments on the night. Somehow, Mariah's demo tape ended up in the hands of Sony Music (formerly CBS Records) boss, Tommy Mottola.On his way home that night he listened to the tape in the limo and immediately instructed the driver to turn around and head back to the party. Mariah was gone already. The next day Tommy tracked down Mariah and she was signed to CBS Records within days.
TWO years later, in 1990, Mariah Carey's self-titled debut album was released. By the time it left the charts many months later, it had broken and set an incredible amount of records, many which have not been broken to this day. It was certified 8x RIAA-Platinum, sold 12 million copies worldwide, and produced the record setting four consecutive #1 songs: "Vision of Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," and "I Don't Wanna Cry."
1992 saw the release of Mariah's second album, "Emotions." This produced Mariah's 5th #1 "Emotions," and it gained many awards and nominations. "Emotions" was nominated twice at the 1992 Grammy Awards for "Best Pop Vocal, Female" and "Best Producer" with Walter Afanasieff. The American Music Awards also gave Mariah recognition by naming her 1992's "Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B." In the same year, an EP entitled "Mariah Carey, MTV Unplugged" was released. From this album came Mariah's 6th #1 song, the remake of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There." This album was yet another success for Mariah selling 5 million copies worldwide and being certified 3x Platinum in the United States.
IN 1993, Mariah's most successful album to date was released. Entitled "Music Box" it sold an incredible 24 million copies throughout the world and was certified 10x RIAA Platinum. From "Music Box" came the 7th (Dreamlover) and 8th (Hero) #1 smash hits, as well as the top 10 hit "Without You." Mariah Carey and Sony Music boss and the person who discovered Mariah, Tommy Motola, were married on June 5th 1993.
ONE year after the release of "Music Box", in November 1994, "Merry Christmas" was released. An album of Christmas classics as well as three new songs, it sold 8 million copies worldwide thus being certified RIAA Quadruple Platinum and became on of the best selling Christmas albums of all time in the world. "Daydream" would be Mariah's 5th studio album and it produced three consecutive #1's, "Fantasy," "One Sweet Day" and "Always Be My Baby." "One Sweet Day" was the amazing duet with Boyz II Men. It still holds the record for most weeks at #1, staying in the top spot for 16 long weeks in 1995. Like "Music Box", "Daydream" was certified 10x RIAA Platinum. The success of "Daydream" gave Mariah the title of first female artist in history to have three studio albums to each sell in excess of 8 million copies.
UNUSUALLY, Mariah did not release an album in 1996. Instead, she waited for 1997 when "Butterfly" was released. This album caused shock-waves through Mariah's fan base. It was a completely new style of music that came with Mariahs new sense of freedom after separating from Tommy Mottola in mid-1997, that would be categorized as R&B rather than pure Pop. For some it was too much of a change, however through this change Mariah gained many fans whose musical preference would be R&B and not her earlier style of Pop. "Butterfly" was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. "Honey" featuring Ma$e & The Lox, and "My All" both reached the #1 position on the Billboard Chart. By March 1998, after Butterfly enjoyed much success, Mariah and Tommy were divorced.
IN LATE November of 1998 a very special collection of all Mariah's #1 songs was released to celebrate Mariahs record breaking 13 number one singles. It was simply entitled "#1's" and achieved 3x Platinum. Along with Mariah's 13 #1 songs came four new songs; a duet with Whitney Houston ("When You Believe" from the "Prince of Egypt" soundtrack), a duet with Brian McKnight ("Whenever You Call"), "Sweetheart" and "I Still Believe" which was a tribute to Brenda K. Starr.
1999 was the year that the world would be introduced to Mariah Carey's "Rainbow." According to Mariah herself it is "her message of hope for the new millennium." The first single off the album was "Heartbreaker". Not only was this Mariah's 14th #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles, but "Heartbreaker" also gave Mariah her 60th week in the singles #1 spot. This 60th week meant that Mariah had broken The Beatles record of 59 weeks. Ms. Mariah Carey has had more #1 singles than any other female artist. Her closest rivals are The Supremes with 12 and Madonna with 11. Her only rivals now are Elvis Presley with 20 and The Beatles with 17.
MARIAH has had at least one number single for each year of the past decade. More of Mariah's singles (3) have debuted in the #1 spot than any other artist. She has also had four #1 albums and was the first female artist to see two of her albums reach the 10 million mark in worldwide sales. Mariah's entire catalogue has achieved multi-platinum sales. Mariah has co-written each of her #1 songs with the exception of the remake of the Jackson 5's "Ill Be There". With the exception of "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Someday," "Love Takes Time" and "Vision of Love", Mariah has co-produced all of her singles.
IN 1998 at the World Music Awards in Monaco, Mariah was presented with the "Legends' Award" for Best Selling Artist of the Decade. In the same year she was presented with the "Aretha Franklin Entertainer Award" and named "Entertainer of the Year" at the Lady of Soul Awards.
MARIAH Carey is currently in a year long relationship with Latin singing sensation Luis Miguel. They first met in Christmas of 1997 while having a white Christmas (the way MC likes it) in Aspen where they were set-up by their real-estate agents.
1999 saw Mariah release the multi-platinum album "Rainbow" and her 14th #1 single, "Heartbreaker." Ms. Carey ended the year by being named the "Artist of the Decade" at the 1999 Annual Billboard Awards.
AS WE entered the new millennium Mariah Carey began with a bang. February saw the release of, "Thank God I Found You". This song features R&B singer Joe & Moetown Records' first all white male singing group, 98 Degrees. "Thank God I Found You" also happened to be Mariah Carey's 15th US #1 song.
IN THE first half of 2000 Mariah toured France, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as Asia, UK and the USA. By the second half of the year Mariah was well into the production of her first major role in a feature film, "Glitter". It was filmed on location in Canada and New York, and is set for an worldwide August release in 2001.
MARIAH Carey will be remembered in history not as only one of the most successful artists of the 1990's but of the 1900's. She is now in the league of Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and no doubt will surpass their success within the next few years. She has earned an astonishing 84 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum certifications for her albums, singles and videos. Ms. Mariah Carey has sold in excess of 130 million albums and no doubt will sell many more millions. Mariah Carey truly is "The Artist of the Decade" as well as "The Artist of the New Millennium!"
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