Written by Michael Blackmon
1. Mariah Carey is the only artist in history to have their first five singles consecutively reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100.
“Vision of Love,” “Someday,” “Love Takes Time,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” and “Emotions” were the first five singles released by Carey in the early 90s.
2. Mariah has notched an impressive 18 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since her 1990 debut.
Only the Beatles have more number one hits than Carey.
3. Out of the 18 number one singles Mariah has scored thus far on the Hot 100, she’s written all but one.
“I’ll Be There,” originally performed by the Jackson Five, is the only song in Mimi’s catalog of number ones that she didn’t write herself.
4. Mariah Carey is the only artist to be honored with “Song of the Decade” twice.
“One Sweet Day” and “We Belong Together” were both named “Song of the Decade” by Billboard in the 90s and 00s, respectively.
5. Mariah Carey had a number one single every year of the 90s.
Talk about consistency. Mariah ruled the airwaves in the 90s. Her music was inescapable.
6. Mariah Carey is the first female to have a song debut at number one.
Mariah’s first hit to debut at number one was “Fantasy” from her 1995 album,Daydream.
7. Mariah is credited with popularizing the hip-pop genre of music.
Think about it. Before Carey and ODB teamed up for the “Fantasy” remix, were there any other artists doing pop and hip-hop collaborations? Mariah is a pioneer.
8. Mariah’s Merry Christmas is still the best-selling Christmas album by a female artist.
9. The now-classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” was written entirely by Carey.
Most people think this song is a tune that Carey covered, but it isn’t. The diva wrote this Christmas classic at the tender age of 24.
10. Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of the Soundscan era.
Carey has a sold a total of 53 million records, only bested by The Beatles and Garth Brooks.
11. Mariah Carey restored credibility to the Best New Artist category at the 1991 Grammys.
The previous year this award was given to Milli Vanilli. Yeah, we all know what happened with that.
12. Mariah’s cover of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” is the longest-running number one single ever in Brazil.
It topped the charts for an astonishing 27 weeks. You can listen to the cover here
13. Mariah Carey has spent a total of 79 weeks at number one on the Hot 100.
Basically, Mariah rules Billboard.
14. Mariah is one a of a few of solo artists to have multiple Diamond-certified albums.
Mariah’s Daydream and Music Box albums are certified by the RIAA as having sold more than 10 million copies each.
15. In 1996, tickets for Mariah’s Daydream tour at the Tokyo Dome sold out in less than three hours.
Keep in mind that the dome seats more than 150,000 people. Mariah’s concert there is still one of the fastest-selling Japan’s history.
16. Mariah has duets with some of the best artists in the music industry.
This incredibly beautiful performance of “With You I’m Born Again” with John Legend is arguably one of Mariah’s best. The way she effortlessly transitions between highs and lows, full voice and whisper. It’s amazing.
17. Mariah blocked herself from gaining an additional number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2005, “Shake It Off” was blocked from becoming a number one single due to Mariah’s smash hit “We Belong Together.”
18. Mariah is credited with ushering in an entire generation of new pop vocalists.
That’s right. Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, etc. can all thank Mariah Carey for their illustrious careers.
Debonair
That last one was a bit much!
Moa
ok… she sold this & she sold that we get it. Whitney is the Queen and will forever will be. Just Being Real
Ebony H
How many songs did Whitney Houston write??? . . . Yes, Whitney could sing but she wasn’t a song writer. Just being real lol
Romelle
I swear it’s like a time warp listening to her old albums, reminds me of good times, and being a kid. Her music was always in the background no matter where you went back in the 90’s. Im glad she never fell off. Can’t wait to get the new album.
Kléber
She dominated the music industry for years and years, but in recent times she isn’t strong as before. Mariah is very talented, and this is even visible to most, however, his team is failing since 2009, placing her at a low level where she never was. JD said he would promote The Art Of Letting Go on the radio before, but he didn’t. The music would open the doors of their new album would be a great chance to reach number one again, but they lost the song without premiere. I think Mariah shouldn’t just live in the past, but working for her legacy many years of effort to be consolidated. Getting more singles to reach number one and grow up in sales that are low since 2009.