The Emancipation of Mimi
The Emancipation of Mimi is the tenth studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey, released through Island Records on April 12, 2005. The album was considered Carey's "comeback album" by critics and became her highest-selling release in the US in a decade.[1] In composing the album, Carey collaborated with many songwriters and producers throughout 2004, including Jermaine Dupri, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Twista, Nelly, Pharrell Williams, and James "Big Jim" Wright, many of whom appeared as featured guests on select tracks.
The Emancipation of Mimi
April 12, 2005
2004
- Right Track (New York City)
- SouthSide (Atlanta)
- Honeywest (New York City)
- Record Plant (Hollywood)
- Marsha and Jan (Los Angeles)
- Capri (Capri)
- CRC (Chicago)
- Darkchild (Pleasantville)
- Datkidcluescrib (New York City)
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Carey opted to use her personal nickname 'Mimi' in the title, revealing a more intimate side of the singer, as seen in the album's declarative theme of emancipation from her personal and commercial setbacks. Although it has similar vocal production to her previous works and an inclination towards her signature ballads, the album encompasses dance-oriented and uptempo styles in keeping with its celebratory motif. The Emancipation of Mimi garnered critical acclaim, with praise towards its production, Carey's vocal performance, with critics noting the theme of independence and lack of restraint, dubbing the album a "party" record.[2]
The album garnered eight nominations at the 48th Grammy Awards, including for Album of the Year, and won three awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album. It became Carey's first album since Butterfly (1997) to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling over 404,000 copies in its first week and becoming the country's best-selling album of 2005. Internationally, it topped the charts in Greece, and reached the top-five in Canada, Denmark, France, and Japan, and was the world's second best-selling album of the year. The Emancipation of Mimi has sold over 10 million copies worldwide making it one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century.[3]
"It's Like That" became one of her highest-charting songs in years, reaching the top twenty in several countries. "We Belong Together" accumulated 14 weeks at number one in the US, and was later hailed "song of the decade" by Billboard.[4] It reached number one in Australia, number two in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and achieved top-five positions in several European countries. To promote the album, Carey embarked on her sixth concert tour, entitled The Adventures of Mimi, starting on July 22, 2006, and ending on October 28, 2006.
Background[edit]
In 2001, Carey had experienced critical, commercial, personal, and professional struggles, following the poor reception to her debut film Glitter (2001).[5] The picture was panned by critics and earned less than eight million dollars at the box office.[6][7] After posting a personally expressive letter on her official site, Carey checked into a hospital in Connecticut because of an "emotional and physical breakdown".[8] Following the film's and soundtrack's poor performance, Virgin Records America bought out Carey's unprecedented $100 million recording contract. The company paid her $28 million to part ways.[6] Carey flew to Capri, Italy, after her two-week hospitalization.[7] During her five-month stay, she began to write a new studio album, using experiences she had gone through in recent months as inspirational themes.[9] After being signed by Island Records and starting her own imprint, MonarC Entertainment, Carey released her intended "comeback" album Charmbracelet.[7] Critics deemed it a strong improvement over Glitter, but not something that would re-establish her popularity as in the early stages of her career.[6]
After enduring three years of "carping" from critics, Carey planned her return to music.[6] On November 18, 2004, she revealed on her website that the name of the album would be The Emancipation of Mimi.[10] While Carey was recording the album, Island Records executive L.A. Reid had learned that close friends referred to the singer as "Mimi". He had told Carey, "I feel your spirit on this record. You should use that name in the title, because that's the fun side of you that people don't get to see – the side that can laugh at the diva jokes, laugh at the breakdown jokes, laugh at whatever they want to say about you and just live life and enjoy it." Carey explained that Mimi is a "very personal nickname" only used by those in her inner circle, and thus the title meant she was letting her guard down and inviting her fans to be that much closer to her. She thought that naming her album The Emancipation of Mariah Carey would be "obnoxious".[7]
Accolades[edit]
The Emancipation of Mimi received many awards and nominations. It earned ten Grammy Award nominations in 2006–07: eight in 2006 for the original release (the most received by Carey in a single year), and two in 2007 for Ultra Platinum Edition. In 2006, Carey won Best Contemporary R&B Album for The Emancipation of Mimi, as well as Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together". Carey was nominated for, Album of the Year (The Emancipation of Mimi), Record of the Year ("We Belong Together"), Song of the Year ("We Belong Together"), Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("It's Like That"), and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("Mine Again").[139] In 2007, "Don't Forget About Us" was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.[140]
The Emancipation of Mimi won the 2005 Soul Train Awards for Best R&B/Soul Album and Best Female R&B/Soul Album, and the 2005 Vibe Award for Album of the Year.[141][142] Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 43 on its 2005 list of the year's best albums,[143] and Entertainment Weekly ranked it at number 21 on their list of the "Top 100 Best Albums of the past 25 years".[144] "We Belong Together" won a Teen Choice Award,[145] a World Music Award,[146] five Billboard Music Awards,[147][148] four Radio Music Awards,[149] and three Bambi Awards.[150] "Shake It Off" and "Don't Forget About Us" won two additional Bambis.[150] After Carey received the Bambi, the award drew media attention after it was stolen from the singer's dressing room.[151]
Sample credits