Mariah Carey told Billboard who she has worked with for her upcoming album and that fans can expect some raw ballads.
“It’s about making sure I have tons of good music, because at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing,” says Carey, who had worked with JD and Bryan-Michael Cox(“We have our own chemistry,” she adds) until 6 a.m. that morning from the night before. She’s also enlisted producers Big Jim Wright, Hit-Boy, The-Dream and Rodney Jerkins for tracks on the set.
Declining to reveal the album’s title, she does allow that there are a “lot more raw ballads than people might expect.” There are also uptempo and signature-type songs that represent her different facets as an artist. “Wherever we go with this project, I’ve tried to keep the soul and heart in it,” she says, “with me obviously as the through-line.” According to Dupri, “One particular song is definitely going to be a huge fan favorite, in my opinion.”
She’s excited about collaborations with her No. 1 “Honey” cohort Q-Tip and DJ Cassidy this time around. The singer didn’t specify if her collaboration with Q-Tip and DJ Cassidy would be for the new album.
Carey says she’s enjoying her creative streak. “I could say, ‘Let’s stop now.’ But that’s not who I am, and that’s not what I want this record to be. I really want the fans to love this record.”