The Prodigal Daughter returns. After a short hiatus, some very bizarre behavior and much-publicized battles with depression, Mariah Carey has released a solid new album, “The Emancipation of Mimi.” The Emancipation is Mariah’s best album since “Music Box,” which, depending on whether you like Mariah, (I admit) could be a completely meaningless statement. My favorite song on the new album is “Mine Again, ” and overall I give the album 5 stars. The Emancipation is more R&B than the typical Mariah album, and I enjoy it because she sings with distinctly black soul and passion. She also keeps the high pitched squeaks to a minimum (thankfully).
“The Emancipation” signifies Mariah’s release from Columbia Records, ex-husband Tommy Motola, and the confines of a career dancing on the edges of the race line. Speaking of her time with Motola, Mariah says, “I wasn’t allowed to say much 10 years ago,” she says. “I was like, ‘Yes, new album, singing, thank you.’” In addition to marriage drama, Mariah seemed forever trapped between the white Mariah and the black Mariah–hugging a blonde beaux in one video, and then draped over Snoop Dogg’s car in the next. In Emancipation, she seems to be signaling to her fans that she is comfortable with her bi-racial heritage, her musical style, and her future.
Here’s some good gossip: did you know Jennifer Lopez has been accused of stealing two songs from Mariahs, including J.Lo’s hit, “I’m Real?”
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