Well, “dream-lover” come rescue me, itʼs our “vision of love,” our “hero,” our “butterfly,” Mariah Carey. Sheʼs back in the public eye showing more soul, song, and of course, skin. This R&B icon is dominating the charts again after a train wreck of a movie called “Glitter” and recovering from a mental breakdown. The Emancipation of Mimi was released last Tuesday, April 12, and is a complete turn around from the singerʼs last two albums. She has made a comeback that allows her to steer away from airy vocals and monotonous, repetitive pop songs, and drive right into the spotlight of the Mariah we once knew and loved.The multi-octave vocalist collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Jermaine Dupri, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Nelly and the Neptunes, who helped put together Careyʼs most personal albums. “ʼMimiʼ is a very personal nickname only used by those closest to me, just one of those little things that Iʼve kept for myself in an attempt to have some delineation between a public persona and a private life,” she explained on her Web site. “By naming the album The Emancipation Of Mimi I am letting my guard down and inviting my fans to be that much closer to me.” “Most importantly,” she added, “I am celebrating the fact that Iʼve grown into a person and artist who no longer feels imprisoned by my insecurities or compelled to try and live up to someone elseʼs vision of ʻMariah Carey.ʼ”
As many will remember, Carey ʼs own insecurities and workaholic attitude pushed her over her limit and resulted in a breakdown for all the world to see. Fans suspected something was wrong when she appeared wearing gold roller skates and knee-highs washing a car in one of her videos, but little did America know she would make a surprise visit to MTVʼs “Total Request Live” wearing nothing but a baggy T-shirt and stiletto heels pushing an ice cream cart.
After her little “break” from the world, Carey got back on track with Dupri to co-produce her album. This newly motivated, refreshed and happy Carey will continue to make music and encourage others to follow their dreams. The Emancipation of Mimi is not about the clown-makeup-wearing rival of Drew Carey, but the heart and soul of Mariah Carey.
Mariahʼs new album shows that she is unashamed and ready to share herself with the world. Her talent shines through the dull “glitter,” the “fantasy,” and itʼs sweeter than “honey.