There aren't too many artists in music who can be called legends, but Mariah Carey is definitely one of them.
I haven't had many opportunities in my career to interview her, but when the opportunity arises to chop it up with an artist who has sold over 175 million records worldwide, then it's my pleasure.
With her new album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel almost complete, it's an interesting time to catch up with MC.
Uptown at BET's "106 & Park," Mariah was premiering her new video for her remix of "Obsessed," featuring Gucci Mane, one of the hottest MCs in the game. Not enough is said about Carey's ear for hip-hop. Don't forget that she was the artist who collaborated with rappers like Jay-Z, ODB, Nas and the Lox early on in their careers. Gucci Mane is another great choice.
It's not difficult to know when Mariah is in the building. You may not see her at first, but you'll definitely see her entourage. The girl doesn't roll light, but that's just another reason to love her. After all, she is Mariah Carey.
As we walked in, Mariah was looking glam, surrounded by a team of stylists and make up artists getting her ready for the interview. Nick, my producer, set up the shot and we were away. We spoke in detail about the new album, her musical direction and progression from the last album.
For Memoirs MC worked with several producers for the first time (including Timbaland and The-Dream) and old friends like Jermaine Dupri.
We got to the bottom of the big question: Is the video for "Obsessed" directed at anyone in particular? Turns out she was more inspired by a family member than anybody else.
But perhaps the most insightful moment of the entire interview came when we were speaking about how Mariah dressed up in disguise on the shoot for "Obsessed." With her hair tied back and wearing a hoodie and a fake beard, the unrecognizable Mariah actually braved it alone for the first time in years as she walked around New York sans bodyguard. So when I asked her what she would do if she could be totally anonymous for a day, I was genuinely taken aback by her answer. She said "I'd like to make friends." It might sound strange but if you think about it, Mariah has been a star since her teens. Ever since she first broke into the scene, Mariah has been Mariah Carey: Superstar. With that immense talent comes the fact that she will never know if people speak to her because she's a nice girl or because she's a star. I didn't feel sorry for her when she said it, but I did acknowledge that it was an incredibly honest answer from a woman who just happens to be one of the biggest stars in the world.
Mariah Says Doing Drag For 'Obsessed' Was Nick's Idea
'I look like my brother and my cousin Chris,' Mimi says of video character everyone compares to Eminem.
Is it Eminem or isn't it? Well, Mariah Carey herself insists that the stalker she played in her "Obsessed" video looks more like one of her male relatives than the rapper.
"Everybody started having their own speculations about who the stalker was," she told MTV News. "I'm like, look, when I look at that stalker and me with the beard and the whole 9 yards, I look like my cousin Chris. I do. I look like my brother and my cousin Chris. So basically, you know, all the speculation about who I'm playing in the video, it's not accurate."
Since Nick Cannon and the video's director, Brett Ratner, have also said that the song and video aren't about Eminem, maybe it is just a crazy coincidence.
So who thought to put Carey in drag for the video? Ratner has said that Carey was the brain behind the getup, but the singer said that it was actually her hubby, Cannon, who thought up the idea to dress his ultra-feminine wife as a man. "Well, I live for a disguise, but ... I love the anonymity of it," she said. "But actually it was Nick's idea, 'cause we were going after different comedians, comediennes."
Though Carey credits Cannon for the brilliant idea, she also says she was able to pull it off thanks to all the acting she's been doing. "The thing is that Nick was like, 'Why don't you just play the stalker?' and I'm like, 'I could do that 'cause I've been acting lately,' " she explained. "I've done a lot of different things and I'm very proud of the work that I've done lately, but the thing is that this was the chance to work with Brett Ratner."
Is it Eminem or isn't it? Well, Mariah Carey herself insists that the stalker she played in her "Obsessed" video looks more like one of her male relatives than the rapper.
"Everybody started having their own speculations about who the stalker was," she told MTV News. "I'm like, look, when I look at that stalker and me with the beard and the whole 9 yards, I look like my cousin Chris. I do. I look like my brother and my cousin Chris. So basically, you know, all the speculation about who I'm playing in the video, it's not accurate."
Since Nick Cannon and the video's director, Brett Ratner, have also said that the song and video aren't about Eminem, maybe it is just a crazy coincidence.
So who thought to put Carey in drag for the video? Ratner has said that Carey was the brain behind the getup, but the singer said that it was actually her hubby, Cannon, who thought up the idea to dress his ultra-feminine wife as a man. "Well, I live for a disguise, but ... I love the anonymity of it," she said. "But actually it was Nick's idea, 'cause we were going after different comedians, comediennes."
Though Carey credits Cannon for the brilliant idea, she also says she was able to pull it off thanks to all the acting she's been doing. "The thing is that Nick was like, 'Why don't you just play the stalker?' and I'm like, 'I could do that 'cause I've been acting lately,' " she explained. "I've done a lot of different things and I'm very proud of the work that I've done lately, but the thing is that this was the chance to work with Brett Ratner."
L.A. Times Reviews "Obsessed" Music Video
As subtle as being hit by a bus: Mariah Carey's 'Obsessed' video
One has to give Mariah Carey credit here. She certainly knows how to stay in the headlines. Her first single from her upcoming album, "Obsessed," may or may not be a response to Eminem's recent "Bagpipes From Baghdad," and in the clip, she may or may not be dressing up as Eminem.
Husband Nick Cannon says he's not totally positive but is pretty sure she isn't. And Carey took to Twitter to clarify the issue, writing: "I am NOT at any point in the video playing a specific person. I'm dressed as a 'stalker' in 3 different ensembles." All well and good, but it's still a stalker that looks an awful lot like Eminem, what with the hoodie and hip-hop mannerisms in front of a set that occasionally looks like it was ripped from Eminem's "Stan" video. Oh, celebs and their feuds.
But if the song saw Carey dropping one-liners at her undisclosed obsessee, labeling him "delusional" and snapping "You're a mom and pop / I'm a corporation," the video, directed by frequent Carey collaborator Brett Ratner, seems more about fear. The Eminem lookalike is tailing Carey out on the street, and there he is again in one of Carey's photo shoots -- representing anyone and everyone who isn't part of Carey's circle.
Rather than highlight the snappy put-downs of the song, it showcases the closed-off inner-sanctums of the rich and famous. But Carey still gets her revenge, albeit with the help of public transportation, in a somewhat abrupt and uncomfortable ending.
One has to give Mariah Carey credit here. She certainly knows how to stay in the headlines. Her first single from her upcoming album, "Obsessed," may or may not be a response to Eminem's recent "Bagpipes From Baghdad," and in the clip, she may or may not be dressing up as Eminem.
Husband Nick Cannon says he's not totally positive but is pretty sure she isn't. And Carey took to Twitter to clarify the issue, writing: "I am NOT at any point in the video playing a specific person. I'm dressed as a 'stalker' in 3 different ensembles." All well and good, but it's still a stalker that looks an awful lot like Eminem, what with the hoodie and hip-hop mannerisms in front of a set that occasionally looks like it was ripped from Eminem's "Stan" video. Oh, celebs and their feuds.
But if the song saw Carey dropping one-liners at her undisclosed obsessee, labeling him "delusional" and snapping "You're a mom and pop / I'm a corporation," the video, directed by frequent Carey collaborator Brett Ratner, seems more about fear. The Eminem lookalike is tailing Carey out on the street, and there he is again in one of Carey's photo shoots -- representing anyone and everyone who isn't part of Carey's circle.
Rather than highlight the snappy put-downs of the song, it showcases the closed-off inner-sanctums of the rich and famous. But Carey still gets her revenge, albeit with the help of public transportation, in a somewhat abrupt and uncomfortable ending.
Mariah Carey Delays New Album Release
Alas, there will be no major Diva Face Off at the next Grammy Awards.
That's because Mariah Carey has decided that the unusually early August 31st deadline is not giving her enough time finish her new CD properly. "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" was supposed to be released by Island/Def Jam on August 25th. But now Carey has asked the label to give her at least three more weeks. The new date is September 15th, although even that could change.
Carey does have her hat in the ring, though, with the witty and catchy single "Obsessed" already getting lots of airplay. The song is a neat dig at Eminem, who ceaselessly needles Carey in song and and interviews. The "Obsessed" video, directed by Brett Ratner, is also a hit and should only help the single up the charts.
That's because Mariah Carey has decided that the unusually early August 31st deadline is not giving her enough time finish her new CD properly. "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" was supposed to be released by Island/Def Jam on August 25th. But now Carey has asked the label to give her at least three more weeks. The new date is September 15th, although even that could change.
Carey does have her hat in the ring, though, with the witty and catchy single "Obsessed" already getting lots of airplay. The song is a neat dig at Eminem, who ceaselessly needles Carey in song and and interviews. The "Obsessed" video, directed by Brett Ratner, is also a hit and should only help the single up the charts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
