Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
She’s Mariah Carey — and, let’s face it, you’re not.
No one appreciates a soulful Mariah Carey ballad more than I do. Still, even beyond inspiring me to “Fly Like a Bird” or persevere “Through the Rain,” I’ve always found the most delight in those moments when she reminds her critics that no one else can do what she does.
Anyone familiar with Mimi — whether they’re devoted fans or casual listeners — knows she’s never shied away from addressing her detractors, often through a clever lyric or a sly remark during interviews. For her latest album, Here for It All, she teamed up with her rumored partner and self-proclaimed “CEO of the hand-holding club,” Anderson .Paak, to craft some of her sharpest, most confident tracks to date.
Take “I Won’t Allow It,” for instance — a quintessential Mariah Carey takedown anthem that pairs her powerhouse vocals with .Paak’s signature drum-heavy groove and easygoing energy, reminiscent of An Evening with Silk Sonic, his collaboration with Bruno Mars.
Their voices mesh effortlessly in a track that feels playful and spontaneous — the kind of song that sounds born from a Champagne-fueled night of gossip and creativity. The lyrics have already sparked online chatter about who the mysterious “dirty mustache” line refers to. When asked by Gayle King, Mariah teased that she did have “a specific person” in mind. I have my suspicions, but since Mariah didn’t name names, neither will I.
The duo’s chemistry shines across several other songs — including “Play This Song,” “Type Dangerous,” and “In Your Feelings” — each one showcasing Carey in her unapologetic diva era, brushing off those who took her for granted and no longer deserve her presence.
It’s a vibrant, self-assured side of her I’ve always loved seeing as a fan — though she’s only ever revealed flashes of it before. Throughout her career, she’s usually kept things gracious, rarely calling anyone out directly, except for a few humorous jabs at the likes of Wendy Williams and Sandra Bernhard.
Since releasing Vision of Love back in 1990 (and let’s not bring up the years — Mariah famously refuses to acknowledge them), she’s been consistently serving up hit after hit. While I adore her uplifting ballads and sweeping love anthems, I’ve always believed she truly shines when she reminds us that her existence itself is a privilege — and that her world operates on a level most of us can only dream about.
Whether or not there’s any truth to the rumors about her and Anderson .Paak, his presence seems to encourage her to lean into a version of herself she sometimes hides — the playful diva with razor-sharp wit and a perfectly timed eye roll. Loyal Lambs (her fiercely protective fans) have long defended her online, insisting that her more extravagant comments are tongue-in-cheek humor that the public just doesn’t get. Now, the music backs them up.
The idea that someone like Mariah Carey would ever need to tone down her diva energy is almost laughable — especially considering everything she’s overcome. From her early struggles with poverty and a turbulent family life to escaping an abusive relationship, she’s earned every ounce of her confidence and glamour.
As she hints in the album’s opener, “Mi,” Mariah hasn’t exactly been “relatable” since The Emancipation of Mimi dropped in 2005. But watching her, at 56, unapologetically proclaim, “I’m me, deal with it,” feels downright liberating.
Of course, no Mariah project would be complete without those deeply emotional, soul-stirring moments we’ve come to expect. Tracks like “My Love,” “Jesus, I Do,” “Here for It All,” and the introspective “Nothing Is Impossible” bring her back to her gospel and R&B roots — transforming heartache, loss, and longing into something beautiful and universal.