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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.
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