Mariah Carey, the biggest-selling
female recording artist of the 1990's was born and raised in New York
by her mother, a former opera singer with the New York City Opera and
a vocal coach, Mariah Carey began singing at age four. By the time she
was in junior high school, she had begun to write songs. After her
high school graduation, she got her fist big break, singing backup for
Brenda K. Starr, a break that led to her signing with Columbia
Records. And now Mariah is not only a singer, but also a writer and
producer.
Mariah Carey has had more #1 singles than any female artist,
surpassing both the Supremes (12) and Madonna (11), and more #1's than
any currently active recording artist. She has had more #1 singles
(14) than any artist during the 1990's and seen more singles (3) debut
at #1 than any artist in history. With more #1 albums (4) than any
female artist in the 1990's Mariah was the first female artist to see
two of her albums (Music Box and Daydream) reach the 10 million mark
in sales and is the only female artist to have eight albums certified
triple-platinum or better (in Mariah's case, her entire album catalog
has achieved RIAA multi-platinum status).
Mariah's 1990 eponymous debut album launched an unparalleled unbroken
string of successes. Mariah Carey has sold more than 12 million albums
worldwide, was certified 8x RIAA-platinum, and yielded a
record-setting four consecutive #1 singles: "Vision of
Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," and
"I Don't Wanna Cry."
The title track of 1992's quadruple-platinum Emotions generated her
fifth consecutive #1 single, placing Mariah Carey in the Top Ten
All-Time achievers of Most Consecutive #1 Hits. Emotions earned Mariah
two Grammy nominations ("Best Pop Vocal, Female" and, with
Walter Afanasieff, "Best Producer") and an American Music
Award ("Favorite Female Artist, Soul/ R&B"). On March
17, 1992, Mariah appeared on MTV Unplugged, leading to the release of
Mariah's sixth #1 single ("I'll Be There") as well as an EP
which has been certified triple platinum in the U.S. and has sold more
than five million copies worldwide.
In 1993, Mariah released Music Box, an album which as sold more than
24 million copies worldwide, has been certified ten times RIAA
platinum, and generated her seventh and eighth #1 singles "Dreamlover"
and "Hero" as well as the Top 10 hit "Without
You." Mariah followed up with her holiday album, Merry Christmas,
which sold eight million copies worldwide shortly after its release in
November 1994 and has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.
Mariah's 1995 album, Daydream, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200
Albums chart. It generated her ninth, tenth, and eleventh #1 singles -
"Fantasy," "One Sweet Day" (her duet with Boyz 11
men which, having spent 16 weeks at #1, still holds the record as the
longest-running #1 single in history), and "Always Be My
Baby" - and has been certified 10x platinum. With Daydream, she
became the first female artist in history to have three studio albums
to each sell in excess of eight million copies.
Mariah's 1997 album, Butterfly, a heady sensuous mix of contemporary
R&B and pop, generated the #1 hits "Honey" (featuring
Ma$e & The Lox) and "My All" (her twelfth and thirteenth
#1's). Butterfly has been certified quadruple platinum.
In November 1998, Mariah released her #1's album, a collection of 13
of her chart-topping megahits as well as four brand new bonus
recordings: "When You Believe (from The Prince of Egypt)," a
duet with Whitney Houston; "Whenever You Call," a duet with
Brian McKnight; "I Still Believe"; and
"Sweetheart." #1's has achieved RIAA triple platinum status.
With her 1999 release, Rainbow, Mariah Carey is in rare vocal form,
showcasing her outstanding vocal range on the tracks like
"Bliss" to the gospel-tinged inspirational song "Can't
Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)." Mariah's talent as an
increasingly maturing lyricist is showcased on "Petals," a
deeply moving, extremely personal ballad.
Rainbow also featured Mariah's 14th #1 Hot 100 Single,
"Heartbreaker," which also became her 6th chart topping
R&B single. Mariah Carey has had more #1 singles than any female
artist, surpassing both the Supremes (12) and Madonna (11), and more
#1's than any currently active recording artist. She has had more #1
singles (14) than any artist during the 1990's and seen more singles
(3) debut at #1 than any artist in history. With more #1 albums (4)
than any female artist in the 1990's Mariah was the first female
artist to see two of her albums Music Box and Daydream) reach the 10
million mark in sales and is the only female artist to have eight
albums certified triple-platinum or better (in Mariah's case, her
entire album catalog has achieved RIAA multi-platinum status).
In fact, Mariah Carey is the only artist to have had a #1 single for
every year of the 1990's. The last decade to have an artist hit #1
every single year was the 1920's when Paul Whiteman & his
Orchestra hit the top slot each year. (By the end of the 1920's,
Whiteman had become a Columbia Records artist.) With the exception of
Merry Christmas (from which there was no single release) and #1's (a
collection of her first 13 chart-toppers), Mariah has hit #1 with the
debut single from every one of her albums.
In January, Mariah received the coveted American Music Award for
Special Achievement. An award that has only been given out 3 times
(including to Prince and Michael Jackson). Mariah is the only female
artist to receive the award.
Artist of the Decade was bestowed upon Mariah at The Billboard Music
Awards in December 2000.
The World Music Awards allowed Mariah to show everyone just how
talented she really is by being awarded with Best Selling Female
Artist of the Millennium.
Now, in 2001, Mariah is setting new goals. Due out in late summer,
Mariah will be staring in a movie "All That Glitters". She
is also putting out the soundtrack for the movie. The first single
from the album, "Loverboy" shows yet more of Mariah's great
talents.
With Mariah's dedication and workaholic attitude towards the business,
she is sure to be around for years to come...good news for her truely
devoted fans.
