Mariah Carey: Emancipated Chanteuse
Mimi's latest residency celebrates the inspiration that led to her career comeback
The most wonderful time of the year to catch Mariah Carey begins during the holidays and extends through Valentine’s Day. Each year Carey’s single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” rises to the top of the charts as she performs a round of seasonal concerts, channeling the holiday spirit for her superfans she affectionately refers to as “lambs.” This year she segued from celebrating Christmas into the latest dates of her Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas residency.
Carey’s 10th studio album The Emancipation of Mimi was released nearly two decades ago. It was more than a comeback album for Carey, who had weathered the critical and commercial failure of 2001 film Glitter as well as Virgin Records buying out her recently signed $100 million contract. She moved over to Island Records and released Charmbracelet in 2002 to lukewarm responses.
Undaunted, Carey was determined to get her mojo working and make her next album worthy of comeback classification. Once production was underway and she began turning inspiration into songs, Island exec LA Reid made two suggestions: work with Jermaine Dupri and include the nickname he had heard her called by members of her inner circle. “Mimi” was Carey at her most authentic, unguarded and fun.
Emancipation of Mimi put Carey back on top, with Dupri collaborations “It’s Like That” and “Shake It Off” becoming rising high on the charts. “We Belong Together became the album’s smash hit though, staying at No. 1 for 14 weeks and becoming a 2005 song of the summer. Carey was back on top for good.
The album’s success help lay the foundation for Carey’s later headlining residencies at Caesars Palace, and directly inspired her current Dolby Live engagement. It’s not so much that she wants to pay tribute to Emancipation as apply the spirit that fueled that creative period to a show with a loose autobiographical thread and a chronological setlist.
Lambs couldn’t ask for more. Carey kicked off the last date of her summer residency shows with her first No. 1, 1990’s “Vision of Love” before performing “Emotions” (No. 1, 1991), “Make It Happen” (No. 5, 1992) and “I’ll Be There,” (No. 1, 1992). She’s joined by Trey Lorenz, who had performed the song with Carey for her MTV Unplugged special.
Lorenz is one Carey’s four backup singers for Celebration, which features eight dancers, a four-piece band and a lot of costume changes under the supervision of stylist Wilfredo Rosado. Carey’s couture reflects with the eras she covers. Some albums get a little extra representation while others, including Glitter and Charmbracelet, are referenced in medleys.
Emancipation provides the concert’s climax though, with both eight songs from the album and a medley taking up the lion’s share of the show. The set design’s lush and elegant backgrounds contrast with the kineticism and clutter that are characteristic of many contemporary stage concepts, leaving plenty of room for Carey’s singing to fill up her fans’ senses. Celebration of Mimi is Carey at her iconic best.